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Witt Kieffer Secured in Search for New SSW Dean
College officials have contracted with Witt Kieffer, a firm well recognized for identifying academic leadership - particularly in schools for social work, to assist them in the search for a Dean to succeed Dean Jacobs. A Search Committee is working closely with the firm to provide guidance and direction about the unique aspects of Smith's School for Social Work. The search committee includes representatives from the various SSW constituencies including: Marilyn Schuster, Ph.D. - College Provost and Search Committee Chair; Associate Dean Josh Miller, Ph.D., Joyce Everett, Ph.D. and Phebe Sessions, Ph.D. - SSW faculty representatives; Randy Frost, Ph.D. - Smith College faculty representative; Chris Vaugh, Ph.D. '06 - Alumni Representative; and Karen Tsai and Isaiah Jones - student representatives. The Firm has met with members of the SSW faculty, administration and staff, student and alumni groups, and members of the College in an effort to better understand the School's priorities and the qualities needed in a new dean to meet those priorities. Click here for more information.

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Second-summer students: Special scheduling needs
We would like to remind you that, if you have special scheduling needs in advance of BannerWeb registration in late March, there is a deadline. Please see Course Registration: Second Summer Registration for details. If you have questions after reading the information there, please contact sswoas@smith.edu.

Required BannerWeb Registration
By now you should have received a postcard in the mail announcing BannerWeb registration in March. (If you have not, please contact sswoas@smith.edu ASAP to supply us with your correct address.) Complete registration information is available on the SSW website starting on the course registration pages at http://www.smith.edu/ssw/registrar_registration.php. Remember to check your Smith email regularly for important notices! 

Waiving 330
Second-summer students interested in waiving course 330, Child Development from Infancy to Adolescence in its Social Context, and taking 333, Developmental Deviations in Childhood and Adolescence, instead should consult the website at Course Registration: Second Summer Registration and meet the February 15, 2014, deadline. Course descriptions can be found at http://www.smith.edu/ssw/acad_msw_courses.php. If you have questions after reading the information on those sites, please contact sswoas@smith.edu.

Electives for Third-Summer Students
There will not be another Bulletin between now and when the elective schedule is posted online. Please check Course Registration sometime after February 13. This is what you will use to choose your electives as per the BannerWeb registration instructions found at the same site. We strongly urge you to enter BannerWeb in advance and make sure you have correctly reset your PIN if necessary!

2013 Courses in Moodle
Please note that last year’s courses will be deactivated in Moodle at the end of the third week of April. Please plan accordingly.

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March 1, 2014 Financial Aid Application Deadline for 2014-2015 academic year:
Returning students (M.S.W. or Ph.D) who applied for institutional need based aid in their first year are only required to file the FAFSA in each of their remaining years. Institutional need-based aid eligibility will be determined with data provided on the 2014/15 FAFSA and all data previously collected. The deadline for the 2014-2015 FAFSA to be received by Smith from the Department of Education is March 1, 2014. Please note that while most FAFSA records only take a few days for the Department of Education to process, it can take upwards of 3 weeks for Smith to receive a FAFSA record. Awards are processed on a rolling basis beginning in March, as the FAFSA data is received and reviewed. Also, the Department selects a few students each year for a process known as "Verification". If you are selected, we will notify you of additional requirements needed to complete the process. These additional requirements are not due by the March 1st application deadline but are necessary before aid can be awarded.

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Alumni Association Thesis Awards
Attention 3rd years!
The SSW Alumni Association is currently offering three $500 awards designed to support excellence in student research and are awarded on the basis of merit. The submission deadline is March 31, 2014.
For more information, click here!

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For Thesis Students Needing Assistance with Quantitative Analysis
Please remember that all materials (codebook and instruments) were due to Marjorie Postal, research analyst, by February 1, 2014 if you are going to be using her services.

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NASW Information

Loan Forgiveness Program
The NASW has created a Loan Forgiveness FAQ page in an effort to help members navigate the student loan repayment options in Massachusetts and to offer assistance in answering commonly asked questions. Read more here!

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National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter presents:
L.E.A.D. Legislative Education and Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The State House, Boston L.E.A.D. is where social workers: Strengthen their role as advocates in the advancement of the social work profession, and Strengthen their commitment to social and economic justice for all. Come meet with legislators...they are waiting to hear from us! All registration will be online this year and there will be no on-site registration. The NASW, MA Chapter is also looking for volunteers for the event. Register here!

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The NASW Foundation is accepting online applications for its 2014-2015 fellowship and scholarship awards through March 5, 2014. Eligible NASW members are invited to apply.

• The Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship is awarded to a social work doctoral candidate engaged in dissertation research in health care policy and practice. One fellowship of up to $4,000 will be awarded.
• The Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship is awarded to a social work doctoral candidate engaged in dissertation research in welfare policy and practice. *One fellowship in the amount of $15,000 will be awarded. *Fellowship funded in part through a generous grant from the New York Community Trust Robert and Ellen Popper Scholarship Fund.
• The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial MSW Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work interested in working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations or in public and voluntary nonprofit agency settings. Up to 10 scholarships of up to $4,000 each will be awarded.
• The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who demonstrate an interest in or have experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in African American communities. *Four scholarships in the amount of $4,150 each will be awarded. *Scholarships funded in part through a generous grant from the New York Community Trust Robert and Ellen Popper Scholarship Fund.

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National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter hosts:
The 13th Biennial Social Work Symposium
Thursday April 3rd and Friday April 4th
This event plays host to over 50 exhibitors throughout the state of Massachusetts who work in the human service field. Along with this, over 16 CE's are offered to professional Social Workers through various workshops. As part of Symposium this year, the NASW - MA chapter is holding their first ever Career Fair & Networking Night on Thursday April 3rd from 6:15pm-9:00pm. This event will feature employers who are looking to hire, on-site resume reviews, half-hour information sessions showcasing career development skills and opportunities to network with NASW's many Shared Interest Groups. RSVP by January 31st, 2014. Registration information to follow.

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Graduate Student Scholarship
A graduate level scholarship is available for students specializing in children and family issues. For more information, click here!

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