Chicago State University MSW Alumni

Join us as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the first MSW class of 2001 on Friday, July 24, 2026. To-date, 579 students have completed their MSW degree at CSU and we hope to see all classes for this celebration. We will be joined by current and former faculty, staff and administration, as well as a host of members of the MSW community.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Shawn Ginwright will provide information on Healing Centered Engagement which the campus has adopted in support of well-being . Dr. Shawn Ginwright is the Jerome T. Murphy Professor of Practice at Harvard Graduate School of Education. His groundbreaking work on trauma, healing, and the empowerment of African American youth has been instrumental in reshaping the discourse surrounding youth development. To learn more about his impactful work, please visit Shawn Ginwright, PhD | Healing-Centered Leadership Expert .

All proceeds from the conference will also benefit 2 MSW scholarships [The Mikal Rasheed & Gladys Scott Scholarships]. CEUs will be available.

When you consider giving, it’s really about participation, not the size of the gift. When many people give—even $5 or $10—it shows pride, momentum, and belief in the MSW program and CSU’s mission.

MSW Program Support

Support current Master of Social Work students
with a gift to one of two funds today!

Thank you for supporting Chicago State University and the Master of Social Work Program. We hope to see many of you in July!

For MSW Alumni:

Stay connected
Register with our alumni community.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZRDrjL14YUeRYo7jUhWvv5CvkEO20pJAvXLTG4OMtdFUMEJRM1o4WEMyVjRPVjVCVUFVMEtWQjMwVS4u

If you missed the chance to support our current students with the Double Good Popcorn fundraiser, you can still support by buying chips or simply making a cash donation. All funds raised will support our students attending Advocacy Day.

CSU GSA Goes to Advocacy Day! | Aimly Chicago State University MSW Graduate Student Association is planning to attend Advocacy Day in Springfield April 15th with Illinois National Association of Social Workers. As social work students they see how policy impacts communities. Help to ensure that they can participate. They need support to...

ALUMNI!! Our current MSW students are gearing up for Advocacy Day, a powerful opportunity to shape the future of social work. Your support can empower them to make a meaningful impact! Consider contributing to their fundraiser or making a donation to help cover transportation costs to Springfield on April 15th, 2026.

What's the impact of the Department of Education's new definition of professional degrees? According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics:

- Almost 678,000 women who studied at the graduate level in 2023 would not be considered for the new, higher "professional" loan limits
- Almost 368,000 students of color who studied at the graduate level in 2023 would not be considered under the new limits

According to EdTrust, DOE's proposed changes "would deliberately underfund the degrees that staff hospitals, clinics, schools, and community organizations ... worsening existing workforce shortages and reducing access to care for millions of Americans."

Click the link below before March 2 and tell DOE that !

bit.ly/3OkRGws

Heartfelt congratulations to our remarkable 2025-2026 scholarship winners, whose dedication and perseverance have truly paid off!!

Gladys Scott Community Service Scholarship : Valerie Jarrett ($1000)

Dr. Mikel Rasheed Memorial Scholarship: Niara Washington ($1000)

Both are shining examples of the incredible talent and commitment that make our community thrive. As current MSW students, they will apply their scholarship winnings towards tuition and books, bringing them one step closer to achieving their dreams.

Thank you to our generous supporters for your continued kindness, as your donations are the driving force behind these life-changing scholarships.