Alumni in the News

Jennifer Self

Jennifer Self, '05, was named one of 40 alumni to watch in the Spring 2009 issue of Viewpoints. Self, a licensed counselor with an MSW degree and a Ph.D. candidate, directs the UW's Q Center, which provides resources about sexuality, gender identity and identity development for the University’s queer student population.
         The young alums featured in the "40 to Watch" special issue were selected because they participated in or benefited from services offered by the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity while they were UW students and have gone on to make their mark after graduation.

Brenda L. Newell

The Snohomish County Children’s Commission recently presented the We Value Kids Award to Brenda L. Newell, MSW '93, for her work with youth in Snohomish County (Wash.). Newell, who works for the Snohomish Health District, manages the public health agency’s programs for prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and viral hepatitis. She joined the Health District as a health educator in 2000, focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention among high-risk populations and youth.

Policy Practice alumni got together in May for a brunch. Every year, professors Marcia Meyers and Jennifer Romich host a casual brunch for SSW policy practice alumni, faculty and friends who get a chance to network and to reconnect with their peers. This year’s brunch was the largest yet with 30 people in attendance. See who dropped by.

Darrel Higa, Ph.D. '08, has accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. These are extremely competitive post-doctoral fellowships, and Higa's selection speaks volumes about his abilities and promise as a research scientist in his pursuit of knowledge essential to reducing health disparities.

Karen Fieland, '08, has accepted a tenure-track position as assistant professor of social work at Pacific Luther University in Tacoma.

Alma Trinidad

Alma Trinidad, Ph.D. '09, has accepted an assistant professorship at Portland State Univeristy School of Social Work. This is a unique and shared tenure-track position between University Studies (PSU’s nationally recognized and acclaimed general education program) and Child and Family Studies (an undergraduate major focusing on developing professionals who are prepared to be agents of social change for children, youth and families).