Winter 2025 Don Schmid M.S.W. Hooding Ceremony Program
December 18, 2025 | 2:15 p.m.
Memorial Union Henry Ballroom, Grand Forks, ND
Your family and guests are welcome to enjoy an inclusive traditional Dakota Honor song at 1:00 in honor of all Social Work graduates
Program
Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Isaac Karikari, MSW Program Director
Welcome
Dr. H. Stephen Cooper, Chair, Department of Social Work
Speakers
Alynza Welk, Student Speaker
Hooding of Graduates
Graduates and their Advisors
Closing Remarks
Lea Saga, Clinical Assistant Professor
Closing Photo
Graduates
Guests are asked to remain seated until students are assembled.
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Graduates
Maleah Abel
ISP Title: The Effect of Marriage Infidelity on Adult Children’s Romantic Relationships
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Brenna Abrahamson
ISP Title: Impact of Homelessness on the Social and Emotional Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Youth: A Technical Report of Affirming Services in Wisconsin
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fackler
Lorenia Arroyo
ISP Title: Protecting Our Youth: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding and Preventing Trafficking
Advisor: Dr. Bret Weber
Rachel Atkins
ISP Title: Healing Roots Youth Project Grant Proposal
Advisor: Dr. Carenlee Barkdull
Kaitlyn Berg
ISP Title: Resilience and Integration: Assessing the Impact of Resettlement Experiences on Refugee Well-being in North Dakota
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Shea Bogue
ISP Title: Intergenerational Trauma and the Resilience-Building Role of Transgenerational Communication and Storytelling for Palestinians
Advisor: Prof. Chelsea Hughes
Elise Carroll
ISP Title: Animal-Assisted Therapy and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Integrated Literature Review
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Modarie Celo
ISP Title: Compassion Fatigue Training: Interventions to Support Caregivers of Individuals With Dementia
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Alexandra Chapman
ISP Title: Prevalence of Mental Health Issues Among Student Athletes
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Donalda Charboneau
ISP Title: A Holistic Approach Establishing the Spirit Lake Tribal Healing to Wellness Court
Advisor: Prof. Lea Saga
Stacia Cherne
ISP Title: Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Supporting Students and Teachers Through Co-Regulation and Restorative Approaches.
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
McKayla Gates
ISP Title: Reframing Safety In North Dakota Child Welfare: A Culturally Safe Training Framework for Native American Family Preservation
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark
Danielle Hanlon
ISP Title: Community Mental Health Response for Individuals Experiencing First Episode Psychosis
Advisor: Prof. Angie Muhs
Isabelle Hawkins
ISP Title: The Impact of The North Dakota Safety Framework Practice Model (SFPM): Permanency Outcomes for Foster Children in Grand Forks County
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Jason Hope
ISP Title: Expansion of Community‑Based Day Support Activities Programs Designed to Foster Community Connections and Skill Building for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Social and Emotional Needs: A Grant Proposal
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark
Anna Jeffers
ISP Title: How do Discrete Trial Training, and Natural Environment Teachings Differ in Terms of Structure, Delivery, and Effectiveness in Teaching New Skills to Child with Autism
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Maggie Kneip
ISP Title: Addressing Secondary Trauma by Building Hope Through Reflective Supervision
Advisor: Dr. June-Yung Kim
Charlene Kronstedt
ISP Title: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Medical Facilities
Advisor: Prof. Stephanie Homstad
Sarah Ledoux
ISP Title: Building Resilience Before Crisis
Advisor: Prof. Barbara Kitko
Madison Longtin
ISP Title: The Role of Therapy Animals in Supporting Mental Health: A Study of Anxiety Reduction in Middle School Students
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Jordan Machacek
ISP Title: Reimagining School Discipline: Fostering Resilience and Equity in Schools
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Sharlotte Martin
ISP Title: Grant Proposal for Tiwahe Transitional Housing: Decreasing Removal Rates and Increasing Reunification
Advisor: Dr. Carenlee Barkdull
Franziska Maurer
ISP Title: An Indian Child Welfare Act Training Curriculum for Minnesota’s Child Welfare Workers
Advisor: Dr. Bret Weber
Angela Rassmussen
ISP Title: Advocating for Children with Disabilities in Minnesotan Schools: Professional Development Training for School Social Workers and Teachers
Advisor: Prof. Chelsea Hughes
Lilisa Reese
ISP Title: Navigating Middle School Behavior: Teacher’s Guide to Use Techniques for Engaging and Addressing Challenging Habits Tool (TEACH)
Advisor: Prof. Barbara Kitko
Alexandria Roque
ISP Title: Supporting Attachment and Development in Pre-adolescents who have a Deployed Parent
Advisor: Prof. Barbara Kitko
Emily Roue
ISP Title: From Brain to Being: An Integrated Perspective on Educating the Complete Individual
Advisor: Dr. June-Yung Kim
Jacinda Schell
ISP Title: The Benefits of Art and Emotional Expression on the Mental Health of Patients in Long-Term Inpatient Hospitals
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
Kassi Sofferman
ISP Title: Parenting with a Disability: Systemic Barriers and Pathways for Policy Reform in Child Welfare
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fackler
Mary Alexis Southward
ISP Title: Empowerment Through Art: A Thematic Review of Community-Based Expressive Arts Therapy for Marginalized Populations
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
Julie Stafford
ISP Title: From Policy to Practice: Supporting Youth Mental Health
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Miranda Steinke
ISP Title: Building Solid Ground: Addressing Homelessness and Behavioral Health through Recovery-Centered Housing
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark
Kylie VerMaas
ISP Title: Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide Risk and Prevention
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Alynza Welk
ISP Title: Group Manual: Supporting Adolescents Affected by Parental Substance Use in Outpatient Behavioral Health Settings
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Department of Social Work Faculty
Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark
Dr. Carenlee Barkdull
Dr. H. Stephen Cooper
Dr. Amanda Fackler
Prof. Stephanie Homstad
Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Prof. Chelsea Hughes
Dr. Isaac Karikari
Dr. June-Yung Kim
Prof. Barbara Kitko
Prof. Angie Muhs
Prof. Lea Saga-Leiser
Dr. Jennifer Schlinger
Prof. Shanna Urban
Dr. Bret Weber
Social Work is the Art of Listening and the Science of Hope
The advanced generalist Master of Social Work program at the University of North Dakota has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1998.
In 2005, the UND Department of Social Work, a long-time pioneer in delivering social work education to distance students throughout the state, launched an innovative distance program using videoconferencing technology to better serve the state, region, and practitioners serving rural and highly vulnerable populations.
This award-winning program at UND was the first in the nation to launch MSW foundation education using technology, and it has served as a model for others.
