Media Contact
Jennifer Ellen French
Public Relations Manager
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
[email protected]
ATLANTA — The National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD) has awarded Georgia State University’s School of Social Work a grant to support its innovative Community and Alumni Partners (CAP)-in-Residence Social Justice Seminar Series.
The series, led by Associate Professor Qiana R. Cryer-Coupet, will amplify social justice education by fostering collaboration among social work students, alumni and community members with lived experiences related to key social justice issues. It will center on three pressing issues impacting the metro Atlanta area:
- Housing affordability and homelessness
- Income inequality
- Justice system involvement
Through this initiative, the School of Social Work will host three pairs of alumni and community partners during each semester of the grant period (spring 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026). The partners will serve as in-residence experts, engaging with students through guest lectures, virtual and in-person office hours and public lectures. By integrating real-world insights and firsthand experiences into the curriculum, the program aims to increase student awareness of systemic social justice challenges while equipping them with evidence-based intervention strategies.
“The CAP-in-Residence Social Justice Seminar Series reflects our commitment to developing a social work workforce that is prepared to partner with communities in creating meaningful change,” said Cryer-Coupet, who also serves as the school’s Bachelor of Social Work program director. “By elevating voices of both alumni and individuals with lived experiences, we aim to deepen student understanding of how historical legacies, policy decisions and power structures shape contemporary social injustices.”
The initiative is guided by the Janet L. Finn book, “JUST Practice Framework in Action,” which emphasizes historical awareness, the significance of lived experiences, systemic analysis, power dynamics and the potential for transformative change. A key component of the project will be its Oral History Special Collection, which will document the experiences and reflections of both students and CAP-in-Residence participants. This publicly accessible archive will serve as an educational resource for social work educators and students nationwide.
The CAP-in-Residence Seminar Series aligns with the strategic priorities of NADD, supporting goals related to social work leadership, professional development, social justice advocacy and innovation in education.
“For nearly 25 years, Georgia State’s Master of Social Work program has emphasized community partnerships, producing social workers dedicated to addressing critical challenges in Atlanta and beyond,” said School of Social Work Director Joon Choi. “The CAP-in-Residence Social Justice Seminar Series provides a great opportunity for our alumni to bring their expertise back to the school to help prepare our students to tackle pressing community issues, aligning beautifully with Georgia State’s strategic goal of Beyond College to Career.”
Georgia State University’s School of Social Work is an academic unit of the university’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.