Faculty of Social Work News Archive

March 21, 2025 — 
Internationally recognized artist-in-residence at UM brings unique lens to exploring relationships with water as part of the Just Waters project

March 19, 2025 — 
Two University of Manitoba students are getting a little extra help in achieving their educational goals, all thanks to Jelly Roll. The popular country singer, best known for his songs “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” performed a concert in Winnipeg Monday night. Deandra Courchene and Briana Knott were on the floor holding signs, asking him to help them pay their student loans. The pair is studying social work at the University of Manitoba. A video posted by Courchene online shows Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, pausing the show and having the house lights turned on to address her and Knott. “I’ll tell you what - you don’t got any student loans no more. I’m going to pay them off,” he said to cheers from the audience. “I’m kind of still in disbelief on what happened,” said Courchene. “I woke up this morning and thought it was just a dream.”

March 13, 2025 — 
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has award $125,000 in funding for a community-led project that aims to tackle the harmful effects of racism and colonialism in Manitoba’s systems that are leading to increased HIV risks. UM researcher Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, associate dean and associate professor, faculty of social work, and director, Village Lab, is leading a team of stakeholders, scholars, and community leaders from across Canada in research that will drive structural change by fostering policy reforms, anti-racist health systems, and community-led solutions. This project titled “Community-Led Structural Interventions to Improve HIV/STBBI Outcomes and Dismantle Structural Racism and Colonialism Affecting Indigenous, Black, and Racialized Communities in Manitoba” was ranked top 3rd in applications submitted to CIHR’s Moving Upstream: Structural Determinants of Health - Catalyst Grants.

December 9, 2024 — 
This fall, a cohort of social work students participated in an interprofessional learning experience with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. This event emphasized the importance of social work practice in addressing the intersection of individuals and their environments in healthcare settings.  During the event, a screening of Falling Through the Cracks: Greg’s Story, depicted the tragic death of Greg Price and highlighted systemic issues in healthcare, including the need for improved communication.  “‘Greg’s Wings’ provided a meaningful learning experience for students, particularly in the context of healthcare collaboration and the challenges faced within this system,” said Vicki Verge, Instructor and Faculty-Field Liaison, Faculty of Social Work.  

December 6, 2024 — 
A Manitoba First Nation is helping to bridge the gap in health-care services not only for its members, but for multiple surrounding Interlake communities. The Pinaymootang Health Centre helps care for thousands of Manitobans every year, but nearly half of its clientele comes from outside Pinaymootang First Nation. "We see 47 per cent of clients that come in from various areas," health director Gwen Traverse said. "Whether the surrounding First Nations or the non-Indigenous communities that utilize our services." Gwen Traverse is currently a student in the Distance Delivery Southern Cohort BSW program.

November 18, 2024 — 
The Faculty of Law congratulates the newest graduates of the University of Manitoba’s Master of Human Rights Program. Six students crossed the stage on October 23, 2024 to receive this unique interdisciplinary graduate degree supported by the four faculties of Arts, Education, Law and Social Work.

October 15, 2024 — 
The Office of Interprofessional Collaboration (OIPC) at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences held a screening of the film Falling Through the Cracks: Greg’s Story for over 300 students representing multiple health disciplines on Oct.7. 

September 17, 2024 — 
Over the past years, activists have made important gains in the effort to provide people who menstruate with adequate and free supplies.

September 4, 2024 — 
In a collaborative effort to raise awareness about water justice and injustices, Senior Fellow and Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Arts Dr. Adele Perry spearheads an interdisciplinary research project titled “Just Waters: Thinking with Hydro-Social Relations for a More Just and Sustainable World.”

July 11, 2024 — 
The Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) is pleased to announce 35 projects awarded funding, totaling over $2.2 million, through the Strategic Initiatives Support Fund (SISF). As the newly funded projects get underway, many projects from last year’s SISF fund have been completed. Read about three examples of impact from the SISF 2023-2024.