Loessner, Schneider, Sarsgard, Celestine-Donnor, and Lehning present on Anti-Oppression Curriculum Development at CSWE
Laura L. Loessner, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, Adam Schneider, MSW, Ashlie Kauffman Sarsgard, MFA, MA, Neijma Celestine-Donnor, MSW, LCSW-C, and Amanda Lehning, PhD, MSW presented the SSW's work on foundation-year curriculum changes that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at CSWE’s Annual Program Meeting in Anaheim, California, November 8th-13th, 2022. The session was titled "Collaborative Anti-Oppression Curriculum Development” and focused on the work of multiple teams at the SSW to simultaneously develop, pilot, and implement a three-part change to the curriculum: the online pre-requisite, A Brief History of Oppression and Resistance, the 3-credit first semester course, Structural Oppression and its Implications for Social Work Practice, and an integrated field seminar with an intentional focus on cultural humility and anti-oppression practice.
They also highlighted the work of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and others to support the critical conversations and overall culture shift toward DEI. The presentation was well-received, and represents the collaborative efforts of many current and former members of the SSW community, including Lane Victorson, LMSW, Emma Kupferman, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, Victoria Stubbs, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, Samantha Fuld, DSW, MSW, LCSW-C, Tavi Hawn, MSW, LCSW-C, Mercedes Hightower, MSW, LCSW-C, Lauren McCarthy, MSW, LCSW, Shatiea Blount, LCSW-C, LICSW, CPC, Sarah Russ, LCSW-C, Sarah Dababnah, PhD, MPH, MSW, Angela Jachelski, MSW, LMSW, Julia Scott, and the many others who have contributed to, facilitated, and continuously work to improve these DEI offerings. The group looks forward to future endeavors and collaborations, and will present a repeat session to the SSW community in January with an opportunity for questions.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to Amanda Lehning at alehning@ssw.umaryland.edu.