Students
Students

Student Associations

The SSA SGA is looking forward to a fun, productive and rewarding year working with the student leaders of this year's SSA Student Associations.

Student Government Association at the School of Social Service Administration. (SSA/SGA)
The Student Government Association at the School of Social Service Administration encompasses the entire student body of the School. The Association participates in student-faculty committees, sponsors a number of programs and social events involving students and faculty, and provides a forum through which students speak to a variety of issues that impact both the present and future direction of the School.

For a link to the SGA constitution please click here.

Todd Nelson, President
Genny Castillo, Vice-President
Veronica Trimble, Secretary
Chastity Rolling, Treasurer

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Advocates' Forum

Advocates' Forum is one of only a few student-run social work journals in the country. In 2005, AF celebrated its 10th anniversary. During this time, the journal has provided SSA students with an opportunity to make their voices heard, through carefully written and researched articles on innovative topics in the field of social service. We recruit new board members and a coeditor at the beginning of the school year. During the fall quarter, we start soliciting for the 2010 issue; submissions are due in January of every year. Advocates' Forum welcomes articles in all areas of social work, including clinical practice and current social welfare policy and administration. Our goal this year is to continue the tradition of academic excellence that the journal has represented throughout the years.

Jennifer Baker

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African American Student Association (AASA)
The African American Student Association of SSA serves as a resource for the African American community and campus community as a whole, fostering education about and expression of black culture. We cultivate scholarship within AASA, and educate the campus community around issues regarding African Americans. Our purpose is to honor the strength, diversity, and essence of African Americans through an appreciation and celebration of heritage and culture. Our goal is to provide a support network for students through partnerships with staff and the overall student body. Our membership is open to all who are interested in African American culture and its importance to our culturally diverse society.

Programs and activities held throughout the year include but are not limited to:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
This annual celebration focuses on ways to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the slain civil rights leader. Various well-known civil rights advocates, local speakers, and student talent are presented at the celebration. In addition, films, forums, and lectures are hosted.

Black History Month
During Black History Month the AASA pays special tribute to the history, contributions, and achievements of African and African-American people throughout the world.

Informative Programs
AASA sponsors academic and cultural programs, as well as social activities throughout the school year.

Andrea Parker, Chair

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Community and Economic Development Organization (CEDO)
The Community and Economic Development Organization (CEDO) is an SSA student organization that collaborates with the Harris School of Public Policy Studies. Our aim is to sponsor activities that promote community awareness, foster sustainability, and improve quality-of-life in underserved neighborhoods.

In the past CEDO has sponsored Neighborhood tours: bus and walking tours of communities undergoing change. In addition, each year Chicago Dinners offers a space where University and community members can come together for an evening to share a meal and thoughts around a specific topic. This year, we plan to increase our collaboration with community groups, offer volunteer opportunities, and invite speakers to discuss community development initiatives in Chicago.

CEDO welcomes new ideas. We're always eager to have energetic and committed people join our team. For more information, write us at cedo@listhost.uchicago.edu.

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Disability Student Association

Kristin Berg, Chair
Nucha Isorawong, Chair

DSA - Doctoral Student Association
DSA acts as a unifying organization for Ph.D. students at SSA, offering a central forum for the diverse population of Ph.D. students in the School. The Association also pursues academic, professional, and political issues of importance to doctoral students.

Vanessa Vorhies

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Feminist Student Association (FSA)
Feminist Student Association brings a feminist analysis to social work issues ranging from violence against women and the feminization of poverty, to the wage gap and other forms of structural inequality. In the upcoming year FSA will work in coalition with other student organizations, host a number of dynamic speakers, and involve itself in activism within the SSA community, and the city of Chicago.

Ursula Wagner, Chair

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The International Social Welfare Group at SSA (ISW)
The mission of The International Social Welfare Group at SSA is to promote the discussion of international social justice issues and social work's response to these issues. We seek to encourage dialogue through regular meetings, movie screenings, speakers, and discussions of relevant readings. Ultimately, we hope that the club will lead to the creation of an International concentration at SSA. We have many exciting events planned this year, including a career panel, trivia night fundraiser, and a speaker event.

Our listhost can be joined at the following website: https://listhost.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/international-social-welfare

Meghann Mulherin, Chair

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Latino Student Association (LSA)
LSA is a student organization made up of Latino and Non-Latino students who are connected by their ability and desire to work within the Latino Communities. LSA allows students to learn about Latino cultures from a social work perspective by encouraging community involvement.

LSA's mission is to promote social, cultural, and political awareness of the various Latino cultures in Chicago by providing educational and social opportunities to its members, who participate in diverse communities through service and action. LSA's Preliminary Goals

  • Offer monthly social and/or educational outings to explore different Latino communities around Chicago.
  • Provide a forum for discussing important issues existent in various Latino communities.
  • Hold monthly team meetings in order to discuss and plan events.
  • Individuals who attend LSA's first meeting(s) will be asked to write out their ideas/suggestions about what they would like to see LSA doing this quarter. This will help the co-chairs assess everyone's interests and determine additional and feasible goals that the majority of members would like to participate in.

Berbelichary Caraballo

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OUTreach

Klintong Jaramillo, Chair
Lucy Andich, Co-Chair

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Pan-Asian Student Association (PASA)
The Pan-Asian Student Association is comprised of students interested in increasing awareness around issues concerning the Asian Pacific American community, particularly in Chicago. PASA seeks to explore the experiences of, and cultural differences between, Pan-Asians in the United States. PASA provides support to Asian students at SSA.

Bruce Thao, Chair

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SSA Christian Fellowship
SSA Christian Fellowship is dedicated to providing mutual support and fellowship for SSA students through the study and discussion of the way faith informs social justice and social work practice, and by serving each other and our community.

To accomplish these goals, SSA Christian Fellowship holds lunchtime Bible study, discussion, prayer, and fellowship meetings, goes on social outings, and completes service activities.

Tressa Gunstone, Chair

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SSA Thrivers Group

Anna Kaplan, Chair

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 Student Alumni Liaison

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