Social Work  News

Megan Myers has been named Falk College Assistant Dean of Advancement effective March 1, 2024. Myers will report to Dean Jeremy Jordan and lead all Falk College advancement efforts working closely with the Syracuse University Office of Advancement and External Affairs (AEA).

Myers joined Falk College’s advancement team as assistant director of development in December 2018 and was promoted to director of development in December 2021. In these roles, Myers successfully managed an assigned donor portfolio, established and managed relationships with Falk College alumni and donors, and collaborated with Syracuse University’s regional fundraising program.

“Megan has an exceptional history of success in creating new strategic partnerships and developing alumni engagement with Falk College,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan. “From new signature programs to targeted student support funds, Megan’s contributions have meaningfully advanced this College. I am confident that under her leadership we will continue to enrich the student experience.”

Prior to joining Falk, Myers was a development associate in AEA and highly successful as part of the inaugural Development Associate Team established as part of the planning for prospective donor development in the Forever Orange Campaign.

“I am thrilled to have the privilege to support Dean Jordan and advance his vision for the future for Falk College,” says Myers. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the excellent work my predecessor Dave Salanger has already initiated for the College by further developing relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of Syracuse University that create new opportunities for students and faculty.”

Myers previously worked as a development specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association, Nebraska Chapter, where she managed community-based, volunteer-driven events. In her professional career, she held positions with KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving as a promotions manager and earning recognition as an Emmy-nominated reporter/anchor. She also contributed as an anchor for the weekend news at KEVN-TV in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she played a key role in achieving notable viewer market ratings.

She recently earned a master of public health from Syracuse University and holds a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism and sociology from The Pennsylvania State University, where she was an Academic All-American and team co-captain for the women’s swimming and diving team.

Myers succeeds David Salanger, who will retire in March 2024. Salanger served 20 years at Syracuse, 18 of those with Falk College. During that time, he made a transformative impact on Falk College through alumni engagement, strategic partnerships, and critical financial gifts.

Among his contributions, Salanger was instrumental in guiding the generous gift from David B. Falk ’72 and Rhonda S. Falk ’74 that named the College in 2011. In addition, he secured the financial support for the renovation of Falk College Complex, previously the College of Law, in 2015. In the course of his service, Salanger raised over $40 million for the University and Falk College.

Veterans Day is a time for the Syracuse University community to come together and honor our veterans and active-duty military members for their service to their country.

Leading up to Veterans Day, three current student veterans who are active leaders on campus—Jack Pullano ’24, Benetta Dousuah G’25 and Raphael Grollmus ’24—reflect on their military careers, discuss the valuable lessons they learned through enlisting and share how the University is helping them achieve their academic goals and providing a blueprint for giving back to their communities.

Jack Pullano ’24

After earning his high school degree from Parishville-Hopkinton High School in Parishville, New York, Pullano couldn’t wait to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He was so eager to serve his country that he took the first assignment he could: as a refueling journeyman for planes and helicopters.

“My dad told me I should wait it out and not do this contract because he didn’t think I would like the work, but I was a young, stubborn 18-year-old who didn’t want to listen to him,” says Pullano, a health and exercise science major in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics who is involved in the Syracuse University Student Veteran Organization. “Things played out in my favor. I didn’t enjoy refueling, but I was lucky to be on an Air Force Special Operations Command Base where there was a special fuel duty called the Special Operations Forward Area Refueling Point Team [FARP] that supports special operations command in combat locations. The tryout I had to go through for FARP was intense, and that experience started me down the path that led to Syracuse University,”

Branch of the military: U.S. Air Force, serving on the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, helping fuel different kinds of aircraft. In his third year, Pullano was deployed to Afghanistan as part of a three-man FARP team. He served four years in the Air Force.

Why serve? “Because of my parents, Jim and Kelly. My dad joined the Air Force when he was young like me, doing one enlistment and then pursuing his education. My parents were always involved in my community growing up, especially with the sports I played. Seeing that community involvement probably instilled in me the service aspect that drives me today.”

Why Syracuse? “It was my personal interest in the human body from the intense physical tryout to get on the FARP team. I became interested not only in working out, but in what was causing changes to my body. I was learning about the human body by watching YouTube videos on how different muscles work. When I was looking at colleges, I wanted to pursue something I was interested in, and exercise science stood out to me. Syracuse has a strong program.”

How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? “Part of why I joined the military was the service aspect. Service was a goal of mine since I was young. When I got out of the Air Force, I wanted to continue to serve in ways that could be impactful to the community. Physical therapy drew my attention because of my past experiences and my drive to work one-on-one with patients trying to overcome an obstacle in their life. I’m currently interning at the VA [Veterans Affairs] Medical Center and that really opened my mind that I could not only continue with service that impacts people, but I could do it in the VA system, helping veterans with physical therapy.”

Benetta Dousuah G’25

When Dousuah was in the U.S. Army, she says soldiers dealing with mental health issues didn’t discuss their struggles openly, instead choosing to bottle up their emotions and their issues. Seeing the stigmas associated with mental health inspired Dousuah to pursue a master of social work degree from the Falk College.

“I want to be that person who lets you know that it’s okay to seek help if you’re struggling. I want to be that voice that says there shouldn’t be a stigma among military members who want to seek behavioral health and mental health help,” Dousuah says. “While I was in the service, a lot of people told me they were scared to seek help because they wouldn’t be promoted or they would be judged. I started going to behavioral health to let the soldiers know that it’s okay to admit you need help while bringing awareness to mental health,”

Branch of the military: Served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Stationed at both Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos in Texas) and Fort Drum (Watertown, New York), Dousuah was involved in supply logistics, ensuring her company had everything they needed, from arranging broken equipment repairs to ordering supplies.

Why serve? “When I was younger, my mother used to remind me that I wanted to be a police officer. I don’t know why; all I know is from an early age I wanted to serve. The military allows you to go to college for free after your service is over, and that really appealed to me. I’ve always known I wanted to earn a college degree and be part of something bigger than myself.”

Why Syracuse? “I wanted to be somewhere where I could not only feel at home, but still feel like I’m connected to the military family. I chose Syracuse because of its reputation as a military-friendly school, but also because of the pride people take in going to Syracuse. It’s like being in the Army. When you meet someone who was in the Army, we’re proud of our service and will usually say, ‘Go Army.’ The same is true for someone who attended Syracuse. They always say, ‘Go Orange,’ and I’m blessed to be part of that community. I’ve been introduced to so many resources available to veterans.”

How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? “Right now, I’m the first Wendy Goidel Scholar, and through my work at the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Law Clinic, I connect our veterans to the available resources within the community. I have a passion for working with veterans, and this scholarship has been a great fit. When I graduate, I want to work at the VA Medical Center here in Syracuse, but I also want to work with at-risk African American youths. I feel like my story could be every young Black girl’s dream—coming from nothing, serving my country in the military and then earning a master’s degree. I could be an inspiration to others who want to follow my path.”

Raphael Grollmus ’24

Grollmus didn’t need to look far in his family tree to understand why military service was important. Grollmus became the sixth member of his family to enroll when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012. While he enjoyed his time, Grollmus always knew he wanted to utilize the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to earn a college degree. Today, Grollmus is working toward a bachelor’s degree with a double major in forensic science and psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The time I served better prepared me for not only going to Syracuse, but life in general. I learned to think critically and to assess a situation before reacting,” Grollmus says. “For the student veterans at Syracuse, there are so many tools and resources available to us. Many veterans I talk with didn’t know all of the resources they had when they went back to school, but that’s where Syracuse has excelled. They take care of their veterans.”

Branch of the military: Served in the U.S. Marine Corps for nine years as a military policeman at the Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan, and at Camp Pendleton (Oceanside, California). Later, Grollmus assisted in combat operations as a forensic analyst stationed in the Middle East in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq. After reenlisting, Grollmus finished his Marine security guard training and was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali, and the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Why serve? “My mother, brother and sister were all in the Army. My grandfather on my mom’s side, Hank, fought in World War II, while my grandfather on my dad’s side, Paul, fought in the Korean War, so I grew up knowing the importance of service. After I graduated from high school, I enlisted in the Marines’ delayed entry program and ended up serving nine years. It goes back to my time as a military policeman. I want to protect people from the bad things that could happen to them. I also want to give back to people who have been wronged or been taken advantage of. I can’t go back in time and right the wrongs, but moving forward I can help give back to them.”

Why Syracuse? “When we were in the Middle East, we did forensics work and I was lucky enough to go to a monthlong forensic bootcamp. When transitioning out of the Marines, I wanted to study something I actually enjoyed. What we did in the Middle East was probably the most influential work from my military career and I was proud of what I was able to contribute. I wanted to keep doing forensic science and Syracuse has a great forensic science program. All the classes I’ve taken have been fantastic.”

How do you want to make a difference when you graduate? “My dream job would be working for one of those three-letter agencies [i.e., the Federal Bureau of Investigation]. That’s shooting for the stars, but I’d love to enter government service. But right now I’m taking a forensic pathology course that is fascinating and I genuinely love it. Crime scene investigation is a really interesting career path to consider.”

An SU story by John Boccacino previously published on November 9, 2023.

As an intern at East Hill Medical Center in Auburn, New York, last spring, School of Social Work graduate student Tasha Washington ran several support groups, conducted assessments and diagnoses, and developed treatment plans for clients. “I’ve always wanted to provide people with a space where they can feel safe enough to feel heard in a non-judgmental way and get their needs met,” Washington says.

Washington earned her master of social work (M.S.W.) degree in May and is now a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) employed as an alternative school site manager in the homebound program of the Syracuse City School District. “Once I started (at East Hill Medical Center) I knew then that this was something that I was able to do. I am a minister as well and I really hope to use that to connect (clients) to the resources that they may need in the community.”

From sentimental Amazon ads on TV to your neighbor’s perfect holiday landscape to an endless stream of social media posts depicting a Hallmark-esque experience, we are often bombarded with messages depicting the “ideal” holiday season that don’t always match up with our actual lives. And that’s OK.

In service of those perhaps feeling a little more “Grinch” and a little less “Buddy the Elf” this holiday season, Syracuse University News interviewed Tracey Musarra Marchese, professor of practice in the Falk College’s School of Social Work, to solicit practical advice to make the holidays feel a little more joyful, a little more peaceful and a lot more authentic to your own experience.

Members of the media looking to schedule an interview with Professor Marchese on this topic may contact Daryl Lovell, associate director of media relations, at 315.380.0206 or dalovell@syr.edu.

If you’re feeling burnt out and overwhelmed…
Start by keeping your expectations for the season—and what you can realistically accomplish and give of yourself—in check, Marchese says. “If you’re overdoing it with trying to create the ‘perfect’ holiday, you’re going to be exhausted—and where’s the enjoyment in that?”

It’s tempting to use the season as an excuse to overindulge in food and alcohol. While Marchese is not trained as a nutritionist, she says using either alcohol (which is a depressant) or sweets/sugar to cope don’t make us feel our best emotionally or physically. “While these might seem helpful in the short-term, overindulging at the holidays can actually compound or further contribute to feelings of burnout and overwhelm for us,” Marchese says.

If you’re suffering from “comparison fatigue”…
Sometimes it feels like social media is designed to make us feel poorly about ourselves, or like we aren’t living up to the standards everyone else is showing on their feeds. Marchese says it’s important to recognize that you are likely comparing yourself to “someone else’s highlight reel.”

“The truth is, life isn’t a Hallmark movie—life is messy sometimes and that is okay,” Marchese says. “You can still have lovely, joyful moments that are defined by how you want to enjoy the season. Don’t worry so much about what other people are up to because their social media is probably not depicting their reality, either.”

If you’re feeling particularly down after spending time on social media, setting daily app limits or deleting social media apps altogether for the remainder of December is always an option.

If you have strained or stressful family relationships…
There are many reasons why someone might dread spending the holidays with their families, from simply feeling like you aren’t on the same page with them—ideologically (politically or otherwise)—to having a history of abuse or other trauma in your family. If that’s the case, it’s totally normal not to feel excited to spend time with them and it’s always an option not to spend time with them.

If you do choose to spend time with your family, there are ways to make it easier on yourself. Marchese’s top tips include:

• Plan ahead for breaks and solitude. “Always have a game plan in your head for breaking away for a 20-minute walk, excusing yourself for some fresh air or taking a solo trip to the store because you ‘forgot something,’ if needed,” Marchese says. During a longer trip to visit family, incorporate spending time with friends in the area you’ve missed or going to see a movie by yourself.
• Practice deep breathing. If you’re feeling anxious, stressed out or triggered, your breath can be your best friend. “Practicing deep, slow breathing—into our bellies— can help reset our nervous system and activate what’s called a relaxation response,” says Marchese. “It’s free, takes just seconds or minutes, and can be done anywhere, even at the dinner table.”
• Remember that you’re an adult now. Even as a college student, you’re an adult, not a child, but “it’s natural when you’re around family to revert to old roles, which may mean being treated as a child and not like the adult that you are,” says Marchese. “You may find yourself falling back into old ways of relating with your family, but it’s helpful to remember that you’re an adult now and you can make different decisions.”

If you’re still confused about what “self-care” actually is…
Marchese says she thinks of “self-care” (widely used and rarely defined) in two realms: self-care and communal care.

“Self-care entails the basics like adequate sleep, exercise (anything that gets your blood moving—you don’t necessarily have to start an elaborate new workout routine), exposure to daylight, and being mindful about what you put in your body and how it makes you feel,” Marchese says. “It is also about making time for yourself to manage stress through things like meditation, self-reflection and engaging in enjoyable activities, like hobbies.”

Communal care, according to Marchese, means, “Do you have people you can rely on, that help meet your needs, that you have a reciprocal relationship with, that you actually like? Connecting and spending time with the people who ‘get you’ is a great way to offset familial obligations during the holidays.”

If you’re coping with grief and loss this season…
If you are grappling with loss, feelings of grief can well up at this time of year, especially if it’s the first holiday season without someone you love. “Losses come in lots of ways—so it could be a loss of a person through death, but it could also be the loss of a relationship,” says Marchese. “Know that there is no such word as ‘should’ in the grieving process. You are at where you are at, and it takes as long as it takes [to grieve].”

She recommends allowing feelings of grief and sadness to come up when they arise and feeling them fully, but also giving yourself an “exit strategy” from the intense feelings. “If you’re concerned you are going to get ‘stuck’ in those feelings, you might say, ‘OK I’m going to let myself feel what I’m feeling for maybe 20 or 30 minutes, and then I’m going to call a friend or get up and take a walk because I don’t want to find myself falling into a deep pit of despair.’”

Additionally, Marchese suggests journaling about your feelings of grief, writing a letter to your loved one, volunteering, or doing something special to honor their memory as additional coping strategies.

If you feel like you need additional support…
“December is a very common time for people to seek the support of a therapist,” says Marchese. Asking your primary care provider for a referral or seeking in-network providers with your health insurer are great starting points if you’re seeking a mental health professional. You may also search online for licensed professionals in your area, such as by accessing the Psychology Today directory of therapists, or use the 211 helpline to be connected with mental health resources.

If at any point you’re feeling like you may be suffering from depression, like you want to hurt yourself or are experiencing suicidal ideation, it is time to seek professional help. For crisis support, call or text 988 or use the live chat at 988lifeline.org to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room for immediate assistance.

An SU story by Jen Plummer orignally published on Dec. 18, 2023.

Alejandro Garcia, Professor Emeritus of social work in Falk College, died Nov. 17, 2023. He was 83.

A professor of social work at Syracuse University since 1978, Garcia is known as a and an exceptionally generous and engaged colleague, teacher, and scholar whose many contributions extend well beyond the University’s boundaries. He taught gerontology, social policy, and human diversity courses for over 43 years, shaping Falk College’s School of Social Work and generations of students. He held the Jocelyn Falk Endowed Professorship of Social Work at the time of his retirement in 2021.

“Alejandro possessed a deep personal commitment to advancing social, racial, and economic justice, particularly for older adults, Hispanics, and many others,” says Eric Kingson, also a professor in Falk College’s School of Social Work and close friend of Garcia for 45 years. “He made lifelong connections with people and had an impact on so many lives as a social worker, teacher, mentor, advocate, and scholar—and as a friend. The kind of friend that is more like family.”

Carrie Smith, professor in Falk College’s School of Social Work remembers Garcia as a treasured member of the social work, Falk College, and Syracuse University communities, and one of the first people to welcome her to the School of Social Work more than 28 years ago. “His interest and reach beyond the University are evident in the numerous awards and commendations that he has received over a lifetime of dedicated service to advancing social justice and improving the lives of all people, especially those who have experienced oppression,” she says. “He was a dedicated professional and he worked tirelessly to teach his students to understand the importance of committed, competent, and sometimes courageous social work endeavors.

“I am indebted to him for his kindness and generosity to me through the years. He will be missed, but, just as importantly, he will always be remembered,” Smith adds.

Raised in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Brownsville, Texas, Garcia was one of six children of parents who migrated from Mexico. After learning English in grade school, he was recognized as an outstanding student. His musical talent propelled him into the best high school in Brownsville at a time when discrimination and racism limited such opportunities.

Garcia was one of very few Hispanics studying at the University of Texas, and after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. He earned his Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree at California State University Sacramento where, years later, he received the “Distinguished Service Award d was designated by its School of Social Work as “The Social Work Educator of the Decades,” He was recruited by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to fill a new leadership role as the National Student Coordinator.

Encouraged by NASW leadership to pursue doctoral studies, Garcia was accepted a few years later at Brandeis University’s Florence Heller School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare. That led to one of the very first studies of the economic status of elder Chicanos and Chicanas, a dissertation entitled “The Contribution of Social Security to the Adequacy of Income of Elderly Mexican Americans.” An elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, he was also designated by the NASW as a “Social Work Pioneer.”

Jennifer Genovese, assistant teaching professor in the School of Social Work, first met Garcia when she was a student at Syracuse. Garcia was one of her professors, and when she received her M.S.W. in 1983, he spoke at the Convocation ceremony.

Genovese recalls the words he shared that day, which were later published in his article, “Reflections of a Latino in the Social Work Profession” (2014):

I suggest that there has never been a greater need for the social work profession to be the conscience of society. Now is the time to be heard: to reiterate our commitment to those who cannot care for themselves, to condemn an era of narcissism and ethnocentricity, and to re-establish the spirit of humanitarianism that has been an essential ingredient of American society. We must be heard. We must speak and be guided by the spirit that emanates from the depths of our hearts and the wisdom of our minds. We have guiding principles that speak to the dignity of the individual and advocacy for the downtrodden. With our voices in unison, we can be heard, and we can work toward effective change. We can regain our place as the conscience of American society. We must keep our priorities clear: We have a responsibility to those who cannot provide for themselves. We have responsibilities to continues aggressive efforts toward the eradication of poverty, racism, sexism, and homophobia. We cannot allow our society to capitulate to narcissistic, self-serving interest. We cannot allow what Carl Rowen calls “a spirit of meanness” to pervade this county. We must make certain that terms like compassion, commitment, social justice, and equality continue to be an integral part of our essential vocabulary and focus. Only then can we affirm the meaning of our profession.

“Dr. Alejandro Garcia’s inspirational words from 1983 continue to ring true in 2023 and remain part of his everlasting legacy,” says Genovese.

Over the years, Garcia served in many other leadership roles, including most recently as an Emeritus Board Member of the Syracuse Rescue Mission, Chair of AARP’s National Policy Council, Chair of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, member of the boards at the Syracuse’s Spanish Action League and the Council of Social Work Education and NASW. He received the Scholar/Teacher of the Year award at Syracuse University and was recognized as a “Hometown Hero” by its National Veterans Resource Center. He served as the Director of the School of Social Work for two years and in many other leadership roles.

Garcia co-edited three books, including “Elderly Latinos: Issues and Solutions for the 21st Century” (with Marta Sotomayor in 1993), “HIV Affected and Vulnerable Youth Prevention Issues and Approaches” (with Susan Taylor-Brown in 1999), and “La Familia: Traditions and Realities” (with Sotomayor in 1999). He also authored numerous articles and book chapters and served on the editorial boards of several Social Work Journals and the Encyclopedia of Social Work.

Most notably, Garcia was a remarkably kind, generous, and gregarious man who loved spending time with family and friends sharing his humor, laughter, and broad knowledge of art, literature, Hispanic culture, Social Work, Syracuse, and so much more.

The Falk College family extends its deepest sympathy to Dr. Alejandro Garcia’s family, friends, colleagues, and students.

By faculty colleagues of Alejandro Garcia. Obituary excerpts used with permission of the author.

Last spring, School of Social Work graduate student Andrew Carroll worked as an intern at Upstate Medical University’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic. “I think my number one takeaway from this internship is that that there’s theory and there’s practice, but practice is really where I gain the most benefit,” Carroll says. “You can study a book in all different theories but until you actually do it, it’s very different.”

Before earning his master of social work (M.S.W.) degree, Carroll received the School of Social Work’s Virginia Insley Award presented to an outstanding M.S.W. Health Care Concentration student who is interested in maternal and child health. “I want to continue to use my knowledge in a clinical setting and ideally I would love to go to into a private practice and continue to help people,” he says. “I think working with a younger population is important because it helps to intervene when the brains are still malleable and interrupts the intergenerational cycle of mental health.”.

Despite growing up on Cayuga ancestral lands, one of the six nations that make up the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of Native Americans in New York, Lorna Rose ’11, G’21 never really identified with her Native heritage.

She was raised Italian American and always thought of her Italian roots when it came to her cultural heritage. But that perspective changed with the sudden passing of her older sister in 2020.

That loss sent Rose down a path that would lead to a spiritual reawakening, cultivating an affinity for both her Native culture and her Native heritage. From the depths of sadness, Rose immersed herself in her Cayuga culture, reacclimating and reacquainting herself with her Native roots. In the process, she rediscovered pride in belonging to the Cayuga Nation, the People of the Great Swamp.

“Being there with my sister’s kids and realizing they just lost their closest connection to their Native heritage, as one of their aunts it’s my job, my obligation and my responsibility to step up and reconnect with my heritage. Once I did, it was almost a visceral transformation. My body just felt so much more comfortable,” says Rose, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Falk College and a master’s degree in communications from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“I started to overcome a lot of the mental health issues I’ve been battling, building and growing my connection and my awareness of my connection to who I am as a Native woman, and reconnecting with my family and getting back into that community that I’d been removed from so long, being raised away from it. It was really life-changing,” Rose says.

The University community has come together during Native Heritage Month to amplify Indigenous innovation, celebrate Native communities and educate people surrounding the contemporary issues Native Americans and Native communities face.

Rose stopped by the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast to discuss her spiritual reawakening, the pride she feels through her Native heritage and culture and how the Syracuse University community helped her overcome depression and mental health issues. She also shares how she launched her own communications consulting company, Rez Communications, and why she’s eternally proud to be a Syracuse University alumna.

Check out episode 154 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast featuring Rose.

How did your sister’s funeral inspire this spiritual reawakening?

I went to her funeral, and I saw all these women that looked just like me, that looked like older versions of me or my sister. These are women I hadn’t seen since I was a little girl, because I was raised by my Italian dad and my white family. My whole life I was taught, “You’re Italian. You’re Italian. You’re Italian.” It wasn’t until the funeral that I got a stark look at, “Oh no, no. I am so much more than just Italian.”

I suddenly realized I’m part of this culture and now. I heard this quote: “Community is not just about who you claim. It’s about who claims you.” I started sending Facebook requests to all of my aunts and my cousins that I’d been separated from and culturally disconnected from for so long. They were there to greet me and welcome me with open arms. It truly felt like this needed to happen—my soul really needed that reconnection.

I’m a lifelong student so I dedicated myself to researching my heritage and my roots. I did a deep dive into where I come from, where my ancestors come from, and what I found was a strong connection to the Cayuga. I’ve always known I’m Cayuga, but what does that really mean? Who are the Cayuga? What language do they speak? I started researching how to say different things and what their language is like. It took off from there.

What are some of the contemporary issues Native people are facing?

One of the biggest issues is the murder and disappearance of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. That’s an extremely important cause that not enough people are paying attention to. As a title holder in the Miss America Organization—I was Miss Finger Lakes 2009—I was a representative in multiple ways on multiple stages for this region, my home region, my ancestral land and my platform issue. The social justice issue I spoke about and advocated for during my year of service was domestic violence and sexual assault.

It was true then, and it’s still true now. One in four college women will be sexually assaulted. Now think of how very few Indigenous women we have amongst us in our communities. The representation is 1-2%, maybe, and then think how often Indigenous women get murdered and go missing. It’s highly disproportionate to the amount of us that are still here. That’s something that’s extremely important [to bring awareness to]. I’m very lucky to have survived some of the domestic and intimate partner and sexual acts of violence that have been committed against me. Many of my Indigenous cousins, sisters, moms and aunts aren’t.

How cathartic was it for you to turn your experiences into something that could affect change when it came to your work on the beauty pageant circuit?

I truly believe my purpose in life is to serve others. The only way I can do that is to take my own experiences and find a way to turn them into a driving force for something better. That’s why I got my social work degree from Syracuse University. My senior year field placement was at Vera House. I have to give back and serve others, and part of that means I have to serve myself in the ways that honor my mind, body and spirit.

The Miss America Organization has been monumental in my growth as a person and as a professional. Recently I was emceeing the 25th annual Miss Finger Lakes pageant in Corning, New York. For the first time, we gave a land acknowledgment prior to the opening of the pageant, and I got to deliver it. I modeled it after the one that Syracuse University gives before all major events. It’s a great way to bring it all full circle. I’m using my voice in these spaces. This is how I thrive as a Native woman. This is my medicine2

To the point that you’re comfortable disclosing and sharing with our audience, what were some of the mental health issues you were dealing with, and how did the Syracuse community help pull you out from the depths of depression?

At the beginning of 2022, I was taking my third and final attempt at the Texas Bar Exam. Shortly after, I got a phone call from someone in my family regarding one of my nephews and one of my nieces, two of my sister’s youngest kids. Having grown up in a family where substance abuse and mental health abuse was rampant, this phone call was the scariest situation for me, one of my worst nightmares.

I flew back to New York to try and solve the problem as best I could, but it was a catalyst for my landslide as everything that could possibly go wrong began to go wrong. As somebody who had always managed to overcome and find a way, when I found myself in a position where I couldn’t find solutions for these problems, I didn’t know what to do. It was a blow to my spirit and affected me in ways that I don’t think I could have ever anticipated.

When it happened, I fell apart harder than I ever realized I was capable of falling apart. I’m a person who spoke out about domestic and sexual assault based on personal experiences, and when I tell you that was the darkest place I’d ever been, it was terrifying. I truly didn’t think I was going to survive.

Then, the Syracuse fan base started pouring in help and support through a GoFundMe. I was homeless at one point and all these $44 donations started coming in for an Amazon wish list of basic items, cleaning supplies and a mattress to sleep on. With everybody’s help and support, I was able to get a studio apartment in Rochester, New York, and I just tried to set up the next chapter of my life. People say social media ruins everything, but I think it depends on how you use it and when you use it this way to do good, it is one of the most beautiful things. People can find community in places that they would’ve never been able to access. I never thought that next chapter was possible without the Syracuse community.

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An SU News story by John Boccacino originally published on Nov. 27, 2023.

Mary E. Graham, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Sport Management, has been named Falk College Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs effective Jan. 2, 2024. This newly created leadership position reports to Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan and is dedicated to faculty development and success. In this role, Graham will guide all Falk College efforts related to faculty development—from hiring to retirement—and work closely with university offices and leadership in Academic Affairs, University Counsel, Equal Opportunity Compliance, Human Resources, and Office of Research.

“I am excited to appoint Dr. Graham to this new role for Falk College,” says Jeremy S. Jordan, Dean of Falk College. “I am very confident that she will be able to further the support and development of our faculty based on her wealth of professional experiences and academic expertise.”

As Falk College Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Graham will work with department chairs to develop strategic hiring plans for faculty and oversee the successful execution of faculty searches. She will participate in faculty review processes, including recommendations for contract renewals and promotion and tenure, and manage operational aspects of faculty affairs. Together with Falk College leadership, Graham will steer the college towards enhanced faculty research and teaching excellence.

“Falk College has an exceptionally talented, diverse faculty with unparalleled dedication to the student experience and the creation of new knowledge,” says Graham. “I am honored to serve as Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs in service to my faculty colleagues and the linked missions of Falk College and Syracuse University. I look forward to collaborating with our visionary Dean, Jeremy Jordan, and his leadership team on strategic and operational faculty matters.”

Graham joined the Falk College faculty in 2012 and is also affiliated faculty in the Whitman School of Management. She teaches applied courses in organizational behavior and strategic human resource management, as well as diversity in sport organizations at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. An expert in gender disparities in employment, she has conducted numerous American Association of University Women salary negotiations workshops for students since 2009.

In 2022, Graham was named Syracuse University’s faculty athletics representative (FAR) to the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In this capacity she serves as a key advisor to Chancellor Kent Syverud and Provost Gretchen Ritter on policy proposals and issues affecting student-athletes’ academic and overall wellbeing, working closely with Tommy Powell, Assistant Provost for Student-Athlete Academic Development; Athletic Director John Wildhack; and their teams of professionals. Graham chairs the Faculty Oversight Committee on Athletics, which reviews student-athlete academic data and conducts exit interviews of departing student-athletes.

She previously served as a Syracuse University Provost Faculty Fellow from 2018 to 2020, where she worked with the Provost and University Senate to develop and implement campus-wide shared competencies for undergraduate students. Graham has been a University Senator since 2018, and she currently serves on the Senate Committee on Athletic Policy.

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Graham held faculty positions in business schools at Clarkson University, George Washington University, and Georgia State University. She has served as a visiting scholar at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Central University in Taiwan, and at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. She also has prior work experience with several members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Graham has published extensively and has been widely cited in the areas of human resource management (HRM), public policy and employment discrimination, gender in employment and HRM in supply chains. She is currently studying the equal employment opportunity transparency among professional sport teams, and the impact of concussions on player misconduct.

Graham is on the Editorial Board of the journal Human Resource Management (Wiley), where she previously served as an associate editor. Her professional memberships include the Society for Human Resource Management; and the Academy of Management, where she serves on the executive committee of the Research Methods Division.

A former CPA, Graham has a B.S. in Accounting from Le Moyne College and work experience in public accounting and human resource management. Graham earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, specializing in human resource management, organizational behavior, and gender studies.

Alsace is a region in northeastern France that borders Germany and Switzerland and reflects a mix of cultures because over the centuries it has alternated between German and French control.

It seems an unlikely place for an American university to make an impact on social change. Yet for the past 16 years, the School of Social Work in Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics has played a key role in helping shape the region’s upcoming social workers.

From 2008-2022, Social Work Professor Emerita Nancy Mudrick presented at the annual Confédération des Ecoles Supérieures en Travail Social de la region, which is translated as Confederation of Universities in Social Science in the (Alsace) Region and uses the acronym RECOS. School of Social Work assistant master of social work online field director Kristin Esposito, who had presented virtually under Mudrick’s tutelage in 2021-22, took the baton from Mudrick this past May and presented in person at the seminar in Todtmoos, Germany.

Esposito was joined at the seminar by master of social work (M.S.W.) online student Jennifer Carter, who is currently living in Germany. About 60 social work students from six universities in the Alsace region (three from France, two from Germany, and one from Switzerland) attended the week-long seminar and traveled daily to a different country to learn how social welfare and policy plays out in human service organizations in those countries.

Before the COVID pandemic, Mudrick would accompany six to eight students from her SWK 710 “Social Work in Europe and the U.S.: A Four-Nation Experiential Comparison” class to the seminar and share social work experiences from an American point of view. With Mudrick’s retirement and now that the seminar has returned to an in-person format, Esposito is looking to reimagine the SWK 710 course and provide opportunities for M.S.W. residential and online students to attend the seminar.

“The purpose of Syracuse University students’ attendance and participation at RECOS is multi-faceted,” Esposito says. “The School of Social Work believes in providing our students with experiential opportunities, and the RECOS seminar offers global exposure to the profession and highlights ways in which social work policy and practice can differ from the U.S. Students often come back with new techniques, ideas, and strategies in how to engage a certain population.

“Another important takeaway for our students is the appreciation of the cultural and social aspects of how France, Germany, and Switzerland view social problems, where resources are allocated, and how social work is operationalized in those areas,” Esposito adds. “Finally, there’s the cultural immersion experience as our students are exposed to the food, music, interrelationships, and architecture of three countries.”

Although she was the only American student at the seminar, Carter says the European students were “friendly and welcoming” and appreciated the opportunity to engage with Carter to practice their English.

“It was interesting to work on different projects with the other students; we all went to lectures together, ate together, and at the end of the day were able to have some fun together,” says Carter, who’s on track to earn her master’s in May. “We’re all similar in that we have the desire to help others and advocate for change, especially with vulnerable, marginalized populations.”

Universal Need for Social Work

The SWK 710 course was launched after a School of Social Work M.S.W. graduate invited Mudrick to RECOS as a guest speaker. Mudrick learned about the unique ways in which social work is practiced in the Alsace region, where each country’s policies and practices were different, but they shared the same workforce because, for example, a social worker who lived in Germany might work in France.

The seminar enables social work students from the region to gain shared knowledge and understanding of each country’s policies and practices and elevate their employability after graduation. Since Mudrick attended her first seminar in 2008, the School of Social Work has been invited each year to provide an American perspective on seminar themes such as the harm reduction model in substance abuse treatment, person-centered care in social work, and for the 2023 seminar, juvenile incarceration and rehabilitation.

Each day of the 2023 seminar focused on a different country, with experiential small group sessions in the morning followed by a presentation from a community expert in the field of incarceration. In the afternoon, the students traveled to that country to visit with an agency partner who specializes in incarceration, prevention, and rehabilitation. This past spring, the students traveled to Mulhouse, France; Freiburg, Germany; and Basel, Switzerland.

Esposito’s presentation during the seminar focused on the U.S. juvenile justice system and the polices and best practices that drive successful rehabilitation and reintegration. Esposito says what jumped out at her during the seminar was the common need for social work across countries.

“We all have universal human needs, struggles, and approaches to solve our communities’ problems,” Esposito says. “The way that social work is operationalized in these three countries is similar to the way we practice in the U.S., and it was surprising to me that our problem-solving was very much parallel and the types of programming and support is much the same, minus name and title differences in programming. Our differences lie in the cultural nuances.”

As a student participant, Carter attended all the scheduled lectures and field trips and collaborated with the other students in breakout groups. Carter says it was fascinating to see how the juvenile justice system works in the three countries.

“I thought that Germany would have a tougher stand on crimes in the juvenile justice system with a more punitive justice model, however it was France that seemed to have a more repressive model,” Carter says. “Germany’s current juvenile system is geared toward education and diversion strategies rather than punishment.”

‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Experience

Next year’s seminar will run from May 12-24 and focus on the topic “Sex and Social Work.”

“The RECOS team is meeting to discuss ideas around sex work, sex trafficking, and sexual abuse/trauma work,” Esposito says. “I have been invited back to participate and present and am hoping to recruit more students to join in the spring.”

Carter, a Schenectady, New York, native who earned her undergraduate degree from Ashford University in Arizona, says she returned from the seminar feeling “enlightened” by engaging with students from other countries and discovering the social work similarities and differences between those countries and the U.S.

“Although their justice systems are all unique in their own way, the recurring theme that resonated with me is that it doesn’t matter where were live, racial minorities and particularly immigrants seem to be the ones who are more prone to receive punitive punishment within the justice system and less likely to have appropriate access to treatment interventions,” she says.

“Learning about the juvenile justice systems in these three countries and attending Kristin’s presentation for the United States has fueled the fire that was already starting with my desire to work with adolescent and young adults in the future,” Carter adds. “These young people can benefit from having more social support and preventive treatment intervention to guide their future life trajectory instead of a societal-favored punitive approach.”

For social work students who are considering this trip, Carter says it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” that will help shape their career path.

“If you like traveling, exploring different cultures, food, and history, and engaging with people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, this trip offers all of that and so much more,” Carter says.

Visit the School of Social Work webpage to learn more about academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities for residential and online students.