Professor Gina E. Miranda Samuels, Ph.D. inducted as 2025 fellow by the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW)

We congratulate Crown Family School Professor Gina E. Miranda Samuels, PhD, who was among the 10 scholars inducted as fellows by the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW). The ceremony, which took place on January 18, 2025, during the annual SSWR conference, recognizes distinguished scholars and practitioners dedicated to achieving excellence in the field of social work and social welfare through high-impact work that advances social good. Induction as an AASWSW fellow is one of the profession’s highest honors.

This honor aptly recognizes the outstanding research and contributions by Professor Samuels.  Since joining the Crown Family School faculty, Professor Samuels has emerged as as a leading scholar on issues of identity, belonging, and systemic inequities in child welfare and adoption systems. Her pioneering research incorporates qualitative methodologies to amplify the lived experiences of individuals navigating these systems, offering insights that inform policy and practice. Her work has significantly shaped the understanding of intersectionality in social work, particularly for youth and families at the margins.

Professor Samuels' research agenda addresses critical questions about the dynamics of race, ethnicity, and identity in foster care and adoption, as well as systemic practices that impact marginalized populations. Her scholarship has been widely recognized for its methodological innovation and its ability to challenge dominant narratives, contributing to transformative change in social work education and practice.

Professors Miranda Samuels  joins 12 other Crown Family School faculty who are AASWSW Fellows:

Yoonsun Choi, Mose J. and Sylvia Firestone Professor; Chair, Doctoral Program (2023)

Waldo E. Johnson Jr., Vice Provost, Professor (2023)

Robert Chaskin, McCormick Foundation Professor; Faculty Director, Kiphart Center, (2020)

Mark Courtney, Professor Emeritus, (2012)

Deborah Gorman-Smith, Dean & Emily Klein Gidwitz Professor, (2017)

Colleen Grogan, Deborah R. and Edgar D. Jannotta Professor; Deputy Dean for Curriculum (2020)

Sydney Hans, Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor, (2019)

Julia Henly, Professor; Deputy Dean for Research and Faculty Development, (2022)

Susan Lambert, Professor Emeritus, (2022)

Jeanne C. Marsh, Professor Emeritus (2010)

Curtis McMillen, David and Mary Winton Green Professor, (2013)

Harold Pollack, Helen Ross Professor, (2015)