In “Alumni Perspectives and Advice for the Class of 2026,” host Connie Sgarlata, MSW ’89, welcomes University of Maryland School of Social Work alumni Lori James-Townes, MSW ’91, Kathryn Zimmerman, MSW ’20, and Jamel Freeman, MSW ’25, to share their social work journeys, defining experiences at the school, and views on the future of the profession.
James-Townes, executive director of the National Association for Public Defense, reflects on mentorship and discovering forensic social work; Zimmerman discusses her midcareer transition from hospital administration to clinical practice, including school-based work and Red Cross mental health response; and Freeman, founder of Social Innovation 2.3 and the SIF Foundation, emphasizes systems thinking, suicide prevention, and integrating AI ethically in social work. The conversation highlights professional identity, equity, and the need for community, authenticity, and courage.
Listen on all podcast platforms or on the University of Maryland School of Social Work YouTube Channel.