Life at Jane Addams

People come to Jane Addams for the excellent education in social work and social justice, but the student experience also includes a variety of events and other opportunities for learning, socializing and affirming your passion for social justice.

A Glimpse Into Life at Jane Addams

  1. MSW student orientation
    MSW students mixing, meeting and enjoying refreshments at the annual New Student Orientation and Reception.
  2. Branden McLeod, social policy class
    A class in Social Work Research Methods, being taught by Associate Professor Branden McLeod.
  3. UIC Jane Addams in Chicago
    The courtyard outside the building provides a public open space with the Chicago skyline in the background.
  4. Jane Addams scholarships reception
    Scholarship recipients, alumni, and donors flank Dean Creasie Finney Hairston at the 2025 Dean's Scholarship Reception.
  5. Jane Addams PhD Reception
    PhD students and alumni of the PhD program come together every year at the Doctoral Student and PhD Alumni Reception.
  6. PhD student at Hull-House
    PhD students in the Analysis of Social Work Practice Approaches class visiting the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum to gain an understanding of historical roots of the settlement house movement and extract implications for contemporary macro practice.
  7. Child and Family Policy class potluck
    MSW students in the Child and Family Policy class gathering for a potluck to celebrate the birthday of social scientist, scholar and activist Francis Fox Piven.
  8. Jane Addams student lounge
    Students can take advantage of our student lounge to hang out and study between classes.
  9. March to the Polls
    Jane Addams students and faculty marching in advocacy for women and other marginalized or oppressed groups of people (coordinated by student group the Jane Addams Advocacy Initiative).
  10. UIC Jane Addams in Chicago
    The south side of the building in January; Chicago winters can be snowy, but UIC keeps the sidewalks clear.
  11. Sonya Leather integrated behavioral health care class
    Students in the integrated behavioral health care class taught by Professor Sonya Leathers.
  12. JACSW at Advocacy Day
    Every April, students travel to Springfield for NASW-IL's Advocacy Day, an opportunity to learn about macro social work at the state capitol building (coordinated by Jane Addams Student Government).
  13. Jane Addams Honig lecture
    The annual Karen J. Honig Memorial Lecture gives students, faculty, alumni and community members an opportunity to learn from noted scholars in child welfare and well-being.
  14. UIC IPE Immersion Day
    Interprofessional Education Immersion Day is an opportunity for hundreds of health science students and faculty to learn about interprofessional collaboration.
  15. Joel Rubin licensure workshop
    Joel Rubin, faculty member and Executive Director of NASW-IL, presents annual social work licensure workshops.
  16. UIC Jane Addams in Chicago
    A view of the front of the building in late Spring, with trees in bloom.
  17. MSW poster session
    MSW students in the School Social Work Specialization participate in a poster session, where they present outcomes from Critical Service Learning projects they implemented in their field placements at Chicago area schools.
  18. UIC Jane Addams commencement
    The annual tradition of commencement is a solemn occasion, but also a celebration of student dedication and success.

A Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

MSW graduates

UIC is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse universities in the nation, and Jane Addams College of Social Work maintains a strong commitment to providing an environment that is welcoming and supportive to all people. Nearly half of our students are from underrepresented minority groups.

We are also one of the health science/health professional colleges in UIC’s Urban Health Program (UHP), whose mission is to recruit, retain and graduate African American/Black, Latinx students with interest in the health sciences. It is dedicated to promoting diversity within the health sciences, addressing persistent health disparities in underrepresented populations and improving the quality and availability of healthcare in underserved urban areas.

Jane Addams and UHP are committed to the success of our students by:

  • Recruiting Black, LatinX and Native American students,
  • Providing academic enhancement opportunities,
  • Promoting, supporting and promoting community initiatives and programs that address health disparities and community health,
  • Encouraging all students to serve and practice in underserved urban areas, and
  • Collaborating in and promoting interdisciplinary programs and activities across the health sciences and health professions.

Jane Addams Student Government

Jane Addams Student Government (JASG) is a student-run organization with the purpose of:

  • Advocating on behalf of students,
  • Promoting a sense of community,
  • Ensuring effective communication between students, faculty, administration, and staff, and
  • Ensuring equitable representation for students in matters pertaining to student welfare.

Representing both the MSW and PhD programs, involvement in JASG facilitates student networking, develops leadership skills, and provides the opportunity to plan activities for the college.

The PhD Program at Jane Addams

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