Student & Alumni Testimonials Wurzweiler School of Social Work Our students and alumni are at the heart of our school. They use the skills learned from their advanced practice methods to create change in and out of the classroom. See what they have to say about their MSW experience. Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology MSW Students and Alumni Karl Custer MSW Alumnus “I found an internationally-acclaimed university with staff who literally wrote the books that I will be studying. Wurzweiler for me was a very direct and current way to re-learn the whole systems of social work." Joanna Greenberg MSW Alumna “What drew me to Wurzweiler is that we’re the only group work major in the country. I thought that I need to have that background and that foundation." Rachel Peguero Jorge MSW Alumna "Wurzweiler resonates with me because working with children and their families fulfills my passion for helping vulnerable people. The support, guidance, and opportunities offered by Wurzweiler’s academics and staff demonstrate the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose within the social work community which is truly inspiring." Taaliba Speede-Ince MSW Alumna "I'm passionate about my work, making a difference, creating equal opportunities, and advocating for those who are in difficult circumstances." Hallie Rodney MSW Alumna "I am passionate about working with children, young adults and families. I am also highly involved in research exploring arts-based approaches, specifically digital storytelling. I hope to continue my research in arts-based approaches to care, and how it provides people with creative and unique ways of expression. " Rena Kahn MSW Alumna "The Trauma Informed Practice certificate has expanded my ability to understand and support individuals and communities dealing with trauma, and I'm looking forward to using this expertise and knowledge to make a meaningful difference in the field of social work." Michal Greenberg-Cohen MSW Alumna "After moving from Israel to the US 13 years ago, I found my calling as a sexual educator. This journey inspired me to pursue an MSW degree at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, with an additional emphasis on the Trauma Informed Practice certificate. I believe in bridging cultures, empowering through education, and dedicating myself to a path of compassion and transformation." Chanette Bovell "I pride myself on developing strong relationships with those I interface with and believe that a strong rapport is the foundation for engaging challenging and complex human conditions. Through my service with the Wurzweiler Care Café program and other community activities, I continue to develop skills which serve some of city's most vulnerable populations in areas such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect." PhD Students Allysha Bryant MSW/PhD Student “The faculty do so many things outside of just teaching — they consult on cases and do all these really wonderful powerful things that help to propel us forward as a nation." Mavis Smith LCSW, PhD Student, Anticipated Graduation '27 "What drew me to was the opportunity to partner with mentors who have dedicated their lives to discovering evidence based mental health treatment for vulnerable populations." DSW Students Ashley Baglieri LCSW-R, CASAC DSW student, Anticipated Graduation May ‘25 "I was looking for an education that would elevate my social work skills clinically, academically, and administratively. The DSW program at Wurzweiler is just that!" Joseph McCarthy DSW Student Dominique Phinn DSW Student Karen White DSW Student Devorah Weinstein DSW Student Lakisha Hamilton LMSW, DSW Student, Anticipated Graduation May ‘25 "When attending the open house, I was drawn to Wurzweiler due to trauma practice being part of the DSW curriculum. With this knowledge base, my work with children in schools could be impactful." Sabina Saleh LCSW, DSW Student, Anticipated Graduation December 2025 "I was drawn to Wurzweiler's DSW program because of its focus on clinical practice, which is a passion of mine. I also love the flexibility of remote and hybrid classes and the resources offered, such as mentorship support, financial scholarships, and access to NYC-based programs and professors."