Jennifer Battaglia
Earns California Society for Clinical Social Work Alexis Selwood Award
Jennifer Battaglia was presented the California Society for Clinical Social Work Alexis Selwood Award during commencement ceremonies in May. The honor recognizes a student who has demonstrated aptitude, scholarship and desire to work in the field of mental health. She completed a field internship at Harbor-UCLA’s adult outpatient clinic, where she was acknowledged for her work ethic and commitment to treating the chronically and persistently mentally ill. Her mentors noted her natural capacity for leadership and superior clinical and interpersonal skills.

Almease Davis
Receives Gladys M. Salit Award
Almease Davis was presented the Gladys M. Salit Award during commencement ceremonies in May. The honor recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding field work performance and exceptional leadership and creativity. Davis, who graduated with a mental health concentration, has a keen interest in helping transform the mental health system for children. She has been described by her mentors as an “exceptional intern” with tremendous leadership and creativity skills.

Gretchen Heidemann
Will Present Findings from Kenya Project to Help Vulnerable Kids
Ph.D. student Gretchen Heidemann has had a poster presentation accepted for the 53rd Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in San Francisco on Oct. 27-30. Her presentation, “Organizational Strengths and Challenges of Kenyan Non-governmental Organizations,” is based on research with Assistant Professor Kristin Ferguson on the United States Agency for International Development-funded project that aims to create research-training institutes and NGO coalitions to respond to the health, mental health and social needs of street-living and vulnerable children. Heidemann and Ferguson met face-to-face with 40 NGOs to ask about their challenges and successes. The poster presentation will be based on the transcripts from these interviews. In December, Heidemann will accompany USC faculty members to Kenya thanks to a $500 travel grant from the USC Center for Feminist Research. She will hold workshops for Kenyan NGOs to help them improve the effectiveness of their service.

Frances Nedjat-Haiem
Invited Guest on Iranian Radio
Frances Nedjat-Haiem, Ph.D. candidate, was a guest on KIRN-AM 670, a Los Angeles-based Iranian radio station. She discussed the risks of cancer, the need for screenings and finding support networks. Nedjat-Haiem designed and implemented a grant-funded project from the American Cancer Society for the Coping with Cancer Prognosis study under the supervision of Kathleen Ell.

Gregory Pleasants
Receives Gladys M. Salit Award
Gregory Pleasants was presented the Gladys M. Salit Award during commencement ceremonies in May. The honor recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding field work performance and exceptional leadership and creativity. Pleasants, who graduated with a dual degree in social work and law, completed a field placement with the non-profit organization Program for Torture Victims, advocating for legislation, enforcement of laws and adequate resources for victims of state-sponsored violence.

Ann Reyes Robbins
Selected to Present Session at CSWE
Ann Reyes Robbins, a PhD candidate, was selected to present “Learning to Like Lawyers (or at Least Collaborate with Them),” a 60-minute roundtable session in the Child Welfare track at the 53rd Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in San Francisco to be held Oct. 27-30.