Michael Lewis ’90 published a book in 2019 titled, Social Workers Count: Numbers and Social Issues.

April Peters-Hawkins ’97 was recently promoted to a full-time professor in the College of Education at the University of Houston.

Cassondra Graff ’91 continues to bring innovations in mindfulness and compassion based education to various domains. Currently, her primary focus is on mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, and belonging.

Elizabeth Shull ‘93 has worked as a clinical social worker in the mental health field for over 20 years. She received her BA from Columbia College majoring in Art History, and received masters degrees at both Sarah Lawrence College and CSSW. Elizabeth graduated from CSSW after having four children with her husband, a Columbia Law School alum. Before she got married, she attended Yale Art School, and still remains extremely passionate about the arts at age 85. She currently resides in the Upper East Side of Manhattan and is an active volunteer at her church.

Lateef Habib ’94 is the recipient of the University of Calgary 2022 Faculty of Social Work Student Supervision, Mentorship and Teaching Excellence Award.

Dr. Gilda Stern Orwasher ’94 became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Mr. Gabe Harrison Rostowsky. Mozel Tov to the parents, Bess and David Rostowsky, and to Mr. David Orwasher for becoming a grandfather as well. She says, “This IS really fun!”

Mandy Blake-German ’97 is now the national director, business development for The Dorm Young Adult Treatment Centers in New York and Washington DC. The Dorm brings holistic mental health services to young adults ages 18 to 30.

Marietta Guido ’97 works in a psychological practice in Manhattan, among other counties. She writes to tell us that, “The practice is recruiting bilingual students (Spanish/English) interested in providing mental health services to undocumented patients suffering from anxiety, depression and PTSD. They are willing to provide supervision for the clinical hours needed for the students to obtain their LCSW. Please text her at 917-886-7686 or email her at mariettaguido7@gmail.com.

Lili Rachel Samson ’98 is very proud of her granddaughter, Eliana Samson, who was accepted to the Columbia School of Social Work. Eliana will begin her studies in Fall 2022.

Brooke Alexander Seessel ’99 recently celebrated 23 years of holy matrimony with Ben Vining Seessel, JD. The couple continue their shared love of fine arts (including classical ballet and guitar) as well as philanthropy and volunteerism. Brooke recently decided not to renew her clinical social work license (Brooke held clinical social work licenses in both Florida & Connecticut) in response to the stresses of COVID, her discomfort with its management, and the rigidity of government licensing procedures. Brooke continues a fine arts private practice with the emphasis on healing through the fine arts including classical ballet and advanced clinical social work.