The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) is thrilled to welcome our fall 2026 cohort to the PhD Program in Social Work. This incoming group brings an extraordinary blend of professional experience, scholarly curiosity, and personal passion that will enrich our community and strengthen the future of social work research.
Collectively, these students bring deep expertise in clinical practice, mental health, child welfare, aging, LGBTQ+ health, immigrant health access, and social policy. Their backgrounds span work in behavioral health, criminal justice, public child welfare, community-based programs, international research institutes, and higher education. They arrive with various research interests including mental wellness among Black men and boys, technology-driven solutions for immigrant communities, quantitative evaluations of social welfare policies, care infrastructure and aging in place, LGBTQ+ health equity, computational approaches for identifying at‑risk youth, and socio-cultural influences on perinatal and early childhood development.
Beyond their academic and professional strengths, they bring rich lived experiences and personal passions — storytelling, outdoor exploration, global travel, community activism, swimming, baking, running, and cultural discovery — that will contribute to a vibrant, supportive, and dynamic learning environment.
We are excited for the perspectives, energy, and commitment they bring to advancing justice and equity, and promoting well‑being. Please join us in welcoming the fall 2026 PhD cohort to UMSSW.
- Bobby Holmes
- Lucero Huayhua
- Boreum Kim
- Chae-Yoon Lee
- Tzu-Ming Lin
- Md Shafiullah
- Claire Wray
Theda Rose, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor
Director of the PhD and Postdoctoral Programs