Social Work Seniors Present Policy Research at Statewide Symposium
Monday, March 3, 2025
Seton Hall social work senior attendees are pictured with Dawn Apgar, BSW program director, and Professor Mary Landriau, senior faculty associate.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, Seton Hall seniors presented their social policy analyses at the 2025 Dr. Paul Shane Annual Policy Symposium: Safer Communities, Safer Children at Stockton University. The event was attended by faculty and students from all accredited undergraduate social work programs in New Jersey. The annual showcase, sponsored by the New Jersey Baccalaureate Social Work Education Association (NJBSWEA), is an opportunity for students to present their senior capstone research on policies related to social work practice.
BSW Program Director and Associate Professor Dawn Apgar was the research advisor for the fourteen BSW students who presented their work. This research, required for graduation, represents dedication and hard work inside and outside the classroom as BSW students begin the important transition from learners to social work professionals, acting as change agents in the field. The event also included featured keynote presenters who are leaders in the social work profession and a call to action for attendees.
The Seton Hall research posters included in the symposium and their student presenters are as follows:
Presenter/Title: Stephanie Aguilar - Greener communities, safer children: The Issue of the lack of green spaces in urban communities
Presenter/Title: Christina Cabany - Protecting youth mental health: Regulating social media access
Presenter/Title: Emma Collazo - Birthright citizenship: A right, not a debate
Presenter/Title: Berithsa Dalzon - Unmasking the stigma: A call to action for greater sexual assault reporting and trauma-Informed parenting
Presenter/Title: Grace DeSena - Dangers of artificial intelligence (AI): Bullying and sexual exploitation of middle school and high school students
Presenter/Title: Heidy Diaz - Should the use of marijuana be a child welfare issue?
Presenter/Title: Jasmyne Hughes - Smart benches and safety furniture: Designing safer communities for children
Presenter/Title: Zuri Hylton - The challenges of diagnosing anxiety disorders: Balancing overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in social work
Presenter/Title: Deja Johnson - Criminalization of exploited children: Child trafficking and safe harbor law
Presenter/Title: Nyah Johnson - Trauma informed schools: A need for adverse childhood experience (ACE) screening
Presenter/Title: Idelyz Lopez - Safer communities, safer children- Overcoming barriers to anti-bullying programs
Presenter/Title: Alyson O'Neill - Safe consumption sites (SCS): An effective harm reduction strategy
Presenter/Title: Daisy Paisi - Classroom clash for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Why
a hybrid model works best
Presenter/Title: Kelly Saraiva - Designing safer spaces: Sensory-friendly environments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Anthony Nicotera, Ph.D., assistant professor at Seton Hall, led attendees in a meditation exercise focused on helping with self-care. Senior Daisy Paisi was also a student panelist that focused on safer communities for safer children.
Social policy research is crucial for the social work profession because it provides evidence-based insights that inform effective interventions and advocacy. It helps social workers understand the root causes of social issues, guiding them to develop policies that promote equity and social justice. Additionally, social policy research ensures that social work practices align with current societal needs, improving the overall impact of programs and services.
Social work students will continue with their research and conclude their capstone experience at the 2025 Petersheim Academic Exposition on campus in April.
Categories: Research
