Jane Addams College of Social Work

Faculty Spotlight

Assistant Professor Daysi Diaz-Strong has received funding from the Russell Sage Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for her project on the Role of School Agents in Undocumented Student’s Access to Financial Aid Resources. The study will examine how high school staff in the Chicagoland area learn about financial aid resources for undocumented students, how they provide information to students, and the challenges school staff face in supporting undocumented students. The study will also examine gaps in availability of scholarships and institutional aid for undocumented students.

Student Spotlight

MSW student Tomas Ortiz oversees training and program operations at community-based organization Acclivus, Inc., supervising close to 40 staff who provide violence prevention services to 5 level-one trauma centers and seven high risk communities. Prior to this, Tomas was Senior Program Manager for CeaseFire/Cure Violence Chicago, and provided oversight for program operations in 18 communities and 5 level-one trauma centers. He began his violence prevention career as a violence interrupter with CeaseFire’s Latino team. About getting an MSW degree at Jane Addams, Tomas says, “Man, go for it! It is a good experience, and you’ll learn a lot about mental health, society, racism, politics, and being able to have a voice in helping change policy.”

Alumnus Spotlight

Joe Hollendoner, BSW 03, MSW 04 has been selected to lead the Los Angeles LGBT Center beginning in June 2021. He is currently CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and prior to that served as first deputy commissioner at the Chicago Department of Public Health. In his new role, Joe will continue his lifelong work to eliminate health disparities, including increased rates of violence, experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, so that every member of the LGBTQ+ community thrives. He sees anti-racism as a key aspect of that mission. “We have to dismantle the systemic racism in our care delivery systems and center those who have often been most excluded,” he says. “For me, this especially means ensuring that trans women of color—specifically Black trans women—have access to programs that honor their strength and resiliency.” More about Joe Hollendoner »