Policy - Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

Jason Purnell to speak at Brown School’s 2026 recognition ceremony

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:15:37 +0000

Jason Q. Purnell, president and CEO of the James S. McDonnell Foundation, will be the featured speaker at the Brown School’s 2026 recognition ceremony. The event is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Athletic Complex Field House on 17�Թ�’s Danforth Campus. Purnell joined the McDonnell Foundation in 2023 after leading community health initiatives at BJC HealthCare, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems. He oversaw the system’s Community Health Improvement strategy, launching programs to address health equity and improve the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of underserved populations. He also advanced BJC’s role as an anchor institution, investing in community and economic development and promoting hiring and purchasing in 22 zip codes with high poverty rates...

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Brown School welcomes first standalone Master of Social Policy cohort

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:45:00 +0000

The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis has welcomed the inaugural cohort of its standalone Master of Social Policy (MSP) program. Previously offered only as part of a dual-degree track, the MSP is now available as a one-year, three semester program that includes a summer internship, and emphasizes practical skills in advocacy, negotiation, evaluation, and economic decision-making. “The MSP degree builds skills in all aspects of the policy ecosystem, from economics to advocacy to strategy to evaluation,” said Anna Goldfarb Shabsin, assistant dean of the MSP program. “This degree is perfect for anyone who is interested in impacting policy, from those new to policy work to those who already have experience in the field.” The inaugural class of...

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Brown School student discusses tech-driven educator misconduct on national podcast

admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:56:18 +0000

Kotomi Yokokura, a dual-degree Master of Social Work/Master of Social Policy student at the Brown School, recently appeared on the One in Ten podcast produced by the National Children’s Alliance, to discuss how text messaging and social media are changing the landscape of educator sexual misconduct. “In this study I found that a majority of educators who were disciplined for educator sexual misconduct did use some type of electronic communication or technology to carry out educator sexual misconduct,” Yokokura explained during the episode. Drawing from her research, Yokokura described how some educators are increasingly using social media and messaging apps to carry out educator sexual misconduct, methods that often make it harder to detect and prevent abuse. She also shared her personal motivation...

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Lewis urges Brown School graduates to ask for help, embrace the journey

admin — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:57:18 +0000

Actress, activist and author Jenifer Lewis gave a heartfelt, humorous and candid speech to the Brown School Class of 2025, urging graduates to take care of their mental health, lead with love, and, above all, “avoid getting stuck in traffic.” Lewis, a native of Kinloch, Missouri, with nearly five decades in show business, spoke before graduates and their families and friends at the Brown School’s Recognition Ceremony May 10 at the Athletic Complex Field House on the Danforth Campus. She credited three simple words for helping her navigate the highs and lows of her show business career: “I need help.” “In 1991 at the height of the AIDS epidemic, I had what we used to call a nervous breakdown,” Lewis...

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Brown School honors changemakers at annual Awards of Distinction

admin — Thu, 01 May 2025 18:29:15 +0000

The Brown School marked its 100th anniversary with a special celebration during the annual Brown School Awards of Distinction & Centennial Gala, held on April 24. The event honored seven individuals for their outstanding contributions to social work, public health, and social policy. “I am awestruck by the positive impact you have all had,” said Dorian Traube, Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School. “Every day through your work and connections with others you are embodying the Brown School values and we are so proud of all of you.” In her remarks, Traube acknowledged the many challenges facing society — from global health crises to systemic injustices — and emphasized the school’s role in creating solutions. “With...

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Parker elected president of Influencing Social Policy

admin — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:25:07 +0000

Gary Parker, associate dean for external affairs at the Brown School and director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute (CFPI), has been elected president of Influencing Social Policy (ISP), a non-profit national membership organization of social work faculty and practitioners dedicated to advancing social work education and policy advocacy. “I am deeply honored by the trust the members have placed in me to lead this vital work,” Parker said. Parker assumes this leadership role at a critical time, when national efforts to roll back human rights protections are intensifying. “These threats directly impact the communities we serve and the core values we uphold as social workers,” he added. Parker said ISP is finalizing a strategic plan to strengthen its response to...

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Brown School ushers in new era for social policy

admin — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 18:21:25 +0000

The Brown School has ushered in a new era of social policy marked by key initiatives in social policy education, research, and community engagement. This includes the launch of the standalone Master of Social Policy (MSP) degree, the integration of two prominent research centers, and the continued work of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute. These efforts collectively demonstrate the school’s dedication to addressing oppressive structural systems through the development and implementation of evidence-informed policy solutions aimed at advancing equity. Previously offered only as a dual degree, the MSP is now a focused, one-year, skills-based option designed specifically for policy professionals. This change is aimed at preparing graduates to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of policymaking. With over 100 dual degree graduates to date,...

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Brown School hosts inaugural professional development summit on policy and equity

admin — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:53:40 +0000

On October 18-19, the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis marked a major milestone with the launch of its first-ever two-day professional development summit, Policy and Equity: Collaborative Frameworks for Inclusive Change. The event allowed attendees to choose between two specialized tracks: one focusing on advocacy strategies and the other on data and evidence. In her opening address, Dorian Traube, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School highlighted the strong turnout, calling it a testament to the community’s commitment to structural reform. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to providing spaces where we can come together to learn, collaborate, and challenge the boundaries of equitable policy,” she said. “Building community is a core goal of...

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Family-Friendly Workplaces Benefit Employees, Businesses

Roger — Fri, 31 May 2024 18:14:46 +0000

Paid leave and employee well-being are the focus of a three-part policy series on family-friendly business practices put together by the Brown School’s Clark-Fox Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis. “Creating a family-friendly workplace benefits both employees and businesses,” said Gary Parker, associate dean for external affairs and director of the institute. “For employees, it enhances work-life balance and job satisfaction,” he said. “For businesses, it leads to higher retention rates, reduced absenteeism and improved productivity. Policies such as paid leave, flexible work arrangements and affordable child care support employees in managing their family responsibilities, while maintaining their commitment to their professional roles, which ultimately contributes to a more dedicated workforce.” The series focuses on paid leave, attracting good employees and the future...

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2 Students Selected to Speak at 2024 Brown School Recognition Ceremony

Myra — Fri, 03 May 2024 19:36:05 +0000

The Brown School 2024 Recognition Ceremony will feature speeches by two student speakers: Breana Wayne, MPH candidate ’24 and Colby Crowder, MSW candidate ’24. Wayne will deliver the Student Speaker Address before the hooding ceremony, and Crowder will present the Student Speaker Farewell Charge following the hooding of the students. 17�Թ� the Speakers Breana Wayne, MPH Candidate ’24Global Health ConcentrationOriginally from Chicago, Illinois, Breana Wayne is an accomplished public health advocate and the CEO of Wayne Legacy LLC, operating The Wayne Creations Vending. This innovative venture focuses on distributing healthier snack options through vending machines across Chicago and the Greater Chicago Area. By replacing traditional junk food with nutritious alternatives, Wayne Creations aims to positively impact community health by making...

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Brown School Student Marshals, Class of 2024: Embarking on New Chapters

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:12:12 +0000

Celebrate the accomplishments of Meena Safi, Daniel Appiah, Yu Xiao, and Brittany Jones, selected as the 2024 Brown School Student Marshals. These remarkable individuals were nominated by both faculty and peers for their dedication to their studies, enthusiasm in their fieldwork, and positive impact on our school community. As they approach graduation and embark on the next chapter of their lives, these student marshals are reflecting on their experiences, reminiscing about their favorite moments, and sharing future plans. To find more details about this year’s Brown School Ceremony, visit the 2024 Commencement page. Master of Social Work Marshal: Meena Safi MSW Concentration: Mental Health | Specialization: Management During her time at the Brown School, Meena Safi, a native of Afghanistan, has...

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Celebrating Changemakers: 41st Annual Brown School Awards of Distinction

Myra — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:53:12 +0000

The 41st annual Brown School Awards of Distinction were held on April 11 at the Forest Park Visitor Center. Each year the Brown School honors our remarkable alumni and friends who create positive change for people around the globe. These six individuals were acknowledged for their unwavering dedication, innovative approaches, and exemplary leadership in tackling society’s most pressing challenges. Hear their stories. Emerging Leader Award Bryan CapersMSW ’12Director, FLI Network, The Johns Hopkins University Bryan Capers was born and raised in Bronx, New York and earned his bachelor’s in sociology from Hampton University. After graduating from Hampton, Bryan completed a year of service with City Year, completing over 1,700 hours of service in underserved communities and schools in Baton Rouge...

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Kazakhstan Launches CDA Policy Informed by Center for Social Development Research

Myra — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:51:52 +0000

In a historic move to prepare future generations for emerging economic realities, Kazakhstan has launched a national Child Development Account (CDA) policy informed by research from the Center for Social Development (CSD). The development opens the door on a policy structure for channeling natural-resource wealth to invest in children and build human capital. Through this innovative policy, each child in Kazakhstan receives an asset-building account, and 50% of the dividends from the National Fund will be transferred yearly into the new National Fund for Children for distribution to the CDAs of individual beneficiaries. “Providing this opportunity to children today will not only ensure their financial stability in the future, but it will also be a step towards achieving UN Sustainable...

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Brown School Welcomes New Cohort: Answering the Call of a Changing World

admin — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:00:38 +0000

In a world marked by family separations, natural disasters, gun violence, and war, Brown School Dean Dorian Traube emphasized to incoming students the vital role of social workers, public health professionals, and public policy experts in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. In every one of these events, our professions are essential for resolution and reconciliation, Traube told students at the Brown School’s New Student Orientation event on Aug. 23 in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum. “People are waiting for us … to provide lifesaving support and solutions,” she said. While acknowledging that the road ahead might seem daunting and the journey tiring, Traube made a solemn promise to the new students: “I promise you, someone out there is waiting for you...

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Forward Through Ferguson Storyteller to Keynote Brown School Recognition Ceremony

Natasha — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 22:10:54 +0000

Jia Lian Yang (she/they), a Brown School alum, MSW ’16, and director of storytelling and communications for Forward Through Ferguson, will be the featured speaker for the Brown School Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 13. Additionally, the Brown School ceremony will include a student speaker – MSW candidate Kasey Springsteen (she/they), who was selected after submission of a topic essay and an interview with a School community committee. 17�Թ� the Speakers Jia Lian Yang, Storytelling & Communications, Forward Through Ferguson In a world where stories are essential to shaping our perspectives, Jia Lian Yang (she/they) is amplifying voices working towards Racial Equity and the stories of people most impacted by racism. Yang currently serves as the Director of Storytelling & Communications at Forward Through Ferguson,...

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