News Details

SP2 Commencement and 2021 Award Winners

Caster building with red and blue balloon arch. Overlay text reads "Congratulations SP2 Class of 2021"

Authored by: Jessica Bautista

Faculty & Research, Student Life

05/19/21

Congratulations to our graduating SP2 Class of 2021 and this year’s outstanding award winners! Learn who the winners are below and watch SP2’s virtual 2021 Commencement, which premiered on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

The Commencement address was given by former Stockton Mayor, Michael Tubbs. Mayor Tubbs is currently the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility and Opportunity.

The full 2021 Commencement program booklet be also be viewed here.

Commencement – School of Social Policy & Practice

School of Social Policy & Practice Excellence in Teaching Awards 

Standing FacultyRam Cnaan and Allison Werner-Lin

Non-Standing Faculty: Meredith Myers, Matthew Bennett, and Daniel Baker

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to both standing and non-standing faculty members in recognition of excellence in teaching and mentoring during the previous year. Winners of this award are chosen by the Student Policies and Procedures Committee from the pool of five standing and five non-standing faculty with the highest quantitative scores for “overall quality of the instructor” on the course evaluations.

Dr. Ram Cnaan Award

Sarah Bartlett

This award is presented to a meritorious DSW student who has completed the third year of coursework. The selection is through nomination and voting of the DSW Program faculty.

Hal Levin Award

Jessica Cho Kim

This award is presented to a meritorious student in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare Program who is continuing the process of completing course work.

Excellence in Social Impact Award

Shamichael Hallman

This award is presented to a meritorious graduating student in the Nonprofit Leadership Program who has a record of academic excellence and has shown promise in using their talents and knowledge to create positive social impact.

Richard J. Estes Global Citizenship Award

Atema Addy

This award is presented to a graduating international student in the Nonprofit Leadership Program who embodies a commitment to social impact, who has a record of academic excellence and who is committed to using their talents and knowledge to make a difference in the world.

Dr. Ruth Smalley Award in International Social Welfare

Silenia Guerrero-Vasquez

This award is presented to the member of the Master of Social Work graduating class who, through their writing, participation in class discussions, and experience, has demonstrated an interest in, and a working knowledge of, the international and cultural dimensions of social work practice, and the application of practice to research.

Rosa Wessel Award

Frances “Francie” Fitzgerald

This award is presented to a meritorious graduating student in the Master of Social Work program who is selected on the basis of academic performance and one or more of the following: exemplary student leadership, innovative activities in the field practicum, and exceptional community service.

Wilson-Spigner Award for Social Policy Excellence

María Florencia Tejeda

This award is presented to a graduating student in the Master of Science in Social Policy program who has a demonstrated record of intellectual inquiry and academic excellence and who is committed to using research to analyze and shape social policy locally, nationally, and/or globally. The award is named in honor of the Reverend Dr. Welford Robinson Wilson II, and his daughter, Dr. Carol Wilson Spigner, the first faculty director of the MSSP program, who have notably increased equity and equality among people who are often forgotten, through research-based change in policy and organizations.

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