Spring 2026 Social Work Pinning & Hooding Ceremony Program
May 15, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
Columbia Hall, Room 1350, Grand Forks, ND
Program
Welcome
Dr. H. Stephen Cooper, Chair, Department of Social Work
Speakers
Mackenzie Amerman, BSSW Graduate
Laura Reese, MSW Graduate
Dr. Myrna Haga B.S.S.W. Pinning Ceremony
Professor Barbara Kitko, BSSW Program Director and Faculty
Don Schmid M.S.W. Hooding Ceremony
Dr. Isaac Karikari, MSW Program Director and Faculty
Closing Remarks
Nichole Fontaine-Vonesh, MSW, LCSW,
Clinical Director, Northeast Behavioral Health Clinic
Honor Song
After the conclusion of the program, family and guests are welcome to enjoy an inclusive traditional Dakota Honor song in honor of all Social Work graduates.
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. Lani Moen
Prof. Angie Muhs
Prof. Lea Saga-Leiser
Dr. Jennifer Schlinger
Prof. Shanna Urban
Dr. Bret Weber
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) Graduates
Mackenzie Amerman
Nicole Anderson*
Ammi Ballesteros
Ashley Berger
Hillary Black
Megan Boonzaier*
Mckenzie Cole
Alexis Crane*
Norah Ellingson
Andrea Feldman*
Brianna Fleck
Samantha Garman
Erin Herbrand
Payten Herring
Autumn Hiemenz*
Jessica Holtz
Jessica Horalek*
Macy Houska
Shelby Hysjulien*
Audriana Johnson
Kasia Johnson
Richard “RJ” Johnson
Ella Kovash
Dela Kponomaizoun*
Elizabeth Kunkel
Chloe Kwasiborski
Cassandra Maus
Zane McKay
Shanni Meidinger
Brianna Nelson
Danielle Neuberger
Kayla Olheiser
Tina Peel*
Kierslyn Sass
Calvin Schoepp
Layla Stenzinger
Craig Syverson
Shelby Tandeski*
Christine “Chris” Teeple
Bryn Vettleson
Hailey Wheeler*
Ashley Williams
Shanyce Zerr
*denotes S Phi Alpha Graduates (Social Work Honor Society)
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Graduates
Brianne Anderson
ISP Title: Unveiling Colonial Health Injustice: Exploring the Link Between Mental Health Care Systems and Indigenous Overrepresentation in Canada’s Criminal Justice System
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
Brittni Baker
ISP Title: Keeping Native Families Together: Understanding the Roles of ICWA Family Preservationists and Qualified Expert Witnesses
Advisor: Prof. Stephanie Homstad
Lindsay Bell
ISP Title: University of North Dakota’s “Uplift” Peer Support Program: Implementing a Student Driven Mental Health Program at an Aviation Education Institution
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
Hilda Cervantes-Cardona
ISP Title: Grief Sensitive Training for Schools
Advisor: Prof. Lea Saga
Emily Erickson
ISP Title: Burnout in Social Work
Advisor: Prof. Angie Muhs
Jada Erie
ISP Title: An Investigation of the Differences in Effectiveness of Conjoint and Combined Couples Therapy
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Zachary Farag
ISP Title: Community Outreach: Mental Health Resources in Rural Areas
Advisor: Dr. June-Yung Kim
Chase Garber
ISP Title: Passway to recovery: a grant proposal for an integrated social work discharge department
Advisor: Dr. June-Yung Kim
Matee Gooknuh
ISP Title: Enhancing Telehealth Mental Health Support through Blogging and Psychoeducational Materials
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fackler
Tessie Hamilton
ISP Title: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Ashley Howard
ISP Title: Big Feelings, Small Hands: How Play Therapy Helps Children Express Themselves
Advisor: Dr. Yi-Ping Hsieh
Elizabeth Humenyik
ISP Title: Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults: Risk Factors, Health outcomes, and Interventions
Advisor: Dr. Bret Weber
Alyssa Johnson
ISP Title: Surveying Encampment Residents in Clark County Flood Tunnels to Determine Risk Levels of Violence and Substance Use
Advisor: Dr. Isaac Karikari
Raegan Kath
ISP Title: Addressing Trauma in Unaccompanied Homeless Youth through Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Advisor: Prof. Barb Kitko
Lisa Laird
ISP Title: For the People of this Valley: Sustaining Access to Free Mental Health Care in Billings, Minnesota
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fackler
Alexa Lajimodiere
ISP Title: Case Study Design for ICWA Family Preservation Program Implementation in the Grand Forks Human Services Zone
Advisor: Dr. Carenlee Barkdull
Myah Lere
ISP Title: Justice Assistance Grant Program Proposal on Behalf of Abuse Resource Network
Advisor: Prof. Angie Muhs
Alexis Lueck
ISP Title: Grief, Loss, and Caregiving in Dementia: A Framework for Social Work Intervention
Advisor: Prof. Lea Saga
Brittany Nieters
ISP Title: Effective School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs to Combat Increased Suicidality in Youth
Advisor: Prof. Chelsea Hughes
Kay Odette
ISP Title: Older People Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Current Literature
Advisor: Prof. Stephanie Homstad
Ashley Olson
ISP Title: Clinician Presentation: Ethical Considerations of Dual Relationships
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
Laura Reese
ISP Title: Signposts for Practice: Understanding School Refusal and Designing Interventions for Schools and Parents
Advisor: Dr. Bret Weber
Annika Santiago
ISP Title: From Corrections to Community: An Art Project
Advisor: Prof. Lea Saga
Sarah Shapiro
ISP Title: Building Connections: A Mentoring Blueprint for Apprentice Readiness in Underrepresented Populations
Advisor: Prof. Chelsea Hughes
Miranda Stienke
ISP Title: Building Solid Ground: Addressing Homelessness and Behavioral Health through Recovery-Centered Housing
Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark
Alexis Svendsgaard
ISP Title: Addressing Secondary Trauma in North Dakota’s Child Welfare System
Advisor: Dr. Carenlee Barkdull
Edward Vivier
ISP Title: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the 12-Steps of Alcohol Anonymous
Advisor: Prof. Shanna Urban
A special thank you to the agencies that supported our graduates this semester.
All Embracing Home Care
Allina Health
Alternatives, Inc.
Altru
Badlands Human Service Zone
Bethany Assisted Living
Community Violence Intervention Center
Contact Care Line
Creative Spirit Counseling
Edgewood Assisted Living Facility
Ellie Mental Health
EOSIS Meadow Creek
Fraser, Ltd.
Grand Forks Human Service Zone
Grand Forks Public Schools
Grand Forks Senior Center
Heartview Foundation
Juvenile Court
Las Vegas Rescue Mission
Moorhead Public Schools Alternative Learning Center
NAVIGATE program U of M Twin Cities – Fairview
ND State Penitentiary
North Homes
Northeast Human Service Center
Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Hospital
Rugby School District
Sanford Behavioral Health Center
Soul Solutions Recovery Center
South Country Human Service Zone
Spectra Health
Spirit Lake Tribal Social Services
Spirit Lake Tribal Social Services – ICWA
Stellhar Human Services
The Village
UND Department of Social Work
United Way
University Counseling Center
Valley Community Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vulnerable Adult Protective Services
Walla Walla University – Billings Mental Health Clinic
Ward County Human Service Zone
Social Work is the Art of Listening and the Science of Hope
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work program has a history dating back to 1905 when social work courses were first offered at the University of North Dakota. The BSSW degree was formally offered in 1939. The program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974, when undergraduate accreditation first began. An online BSSW program was first offered in 2016.
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. 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.
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