Program & Career Highlights

GSA Lobbies in Springfield

MSW students participated in NASW–Illinois Chapter Advocacy (Lobby) Day on April 15, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. Advocacy Day is the Chapter’s annual day of action, during which participants meet with local legislators to discuss emerging issues affecting the state of Illinois and to advocate for or against legislation under consideration. Students were especially passionate about seeking support for Illinois House Joint Resolution (HJR 0053), which aims to protect professional degree status for social work, nursing, counseling, and allied health graduate programs. This experience allowed students to gain firsthand insight into the importance and impact of policy advocacy.

Up close "selfie" of Z. Scott, President of Chicago State University, and a student member of the Graduate Student Association.

A group of 10 women gather for a group photo on concrete steps in front of a statue at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, IL.

Members of the Graduate Student Association gather for a photo with Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford outside of his office at the Illinois State Capitol.

Spring 2026 MSW Graduates

Social Work department chair Dr. Mann and director of the Dual Enrollment program Carolyn Wadlington smile with 2026 graduates of the social work program at Chicago State University.

A woman wearing a doctoral robe and cap with a red stole and glasses smiles for a selfie with Dr. Man and graduates behind her in a large hallway with while other graduates get ready for commencement.

Dr. Mann, department chair for the social work program, smiles with graduates.

A proud social work graduate smiles and waves as she walks across the stage to receive her diploma. There is a large white flower arrangement at the edge of the stage and administrative leaders sitting toward the back of the stage. Behind them is a long green backdrop with the presidential seal of Chicago State University.

Graduates pose for a photo with Dr. Mann.

The MSW Program at CSU celebrates the graduating class of 2026. This brings our MSW Alumni community to 590. Each year after completing an arduous Capstone Presentation, we celebrate the transition from graduate student to alumni in a pinning ceremony by alumni representatives. This year, Candy Bennett, Class of 2001 led that effort.

Spring 2026 Ribbon Pinning Ceremony

A group of eleven smiling women stand together on a stage for a graduation group photo with most wearing teal graduation honor cords. They are positioned in front of a large projection screen displaying a green graduation cap icon and the text "Congratulations! Class of 2026."

Three women standing in front of a stage. A woman with long hair wearing a green dress walks away with a smile after receiving her teal blue honor cord. Dr. Mann, chair of the social work deparment, looks down at the bundle of blue cords in her hands while an older woman with gray hair stands next to her, offering a hand of assistance.

Top-view photo of a white cake with decorative icing around the border. On the cake, icing says "Congratulations 2026 CSU MSW Graduates" with a graduation cap made of green icing and more green decorative icing around the border.