Excellence in Social Work Practice Awards recognize Master’s Social Work students who demonstrate exemplary commitment to professional development. The awards are given to students completing specialized study and displaying outstanding potential as social workers. The generosity of alumni and friends of the School make the awards possible, and awardees receive a small resource scholarship that will be posted to the student’s account.
Anyone may begin the nomination process—student, peer, faculty member, staff member, or practicum / task supervisor.
Awards for Direct Practice MSW students (More details can be downloaded from nomination link):
- Dr. Lynn Adkins Quasi Endowment – Outstanding performance in the classroom
- Elizabeth C. Evans Resource Fund – Outstanding performance by a nontraditional student
- George and Sylvia Plutchok Student Resource Fund – (a) Outstanding efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion and (b) Outstanding performance in practicum
- James McDonald Endowed Fund – Outstanding Efforts to learn about and demonstrate interprofessional practice
- I-Yu and Robert Chen Endowed Fund – Outstanding ability to engage in research-informed practice / practice informed research
- Darrell P. Wheeler Student Resource Award -- Outstanding Efforts in Service to School, University, and/or Community
Awards for COSA MSW students:
- Charlotte J. Dunmore Endowed Fund
- School of Social Work Endowment for COSA Students
- Tracy M. Soska Endowed Fund
Timeline:
- December 1: Nominations open
- January 9: Nominations close
- Early February: Notification of awardees
Other information:
- Nominees must have completed their generalist course of study
- Nominees must be enrolled in the spring term of 2026
- MSW students on all campuses are eligible
- If you self-nominate or nominate a peer, you will be asked to identify a faculty member, staff member, or practicum / task supervisor to support the nomination
- Nominees will be asked to upload a recent resume
- Awards may be used to cover educational expenses, including but not limited to books, lab fees, travel, or other educational expenses
Please contact COSA Specialization Chair Mary Ohmer (mlo51@pitt.edu ) or Direct Practice Specialization Chair Beth Mulvaney (eam65@pitt.edu ) if you have questions.