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New Fellowship Connects Advanced Social Work Education, Leadership, and Real-World Solutions

����Vlog’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work is pleased to join United Way Broward, a leading community partner, to operationalize shared missions.

By launching the inaugural United Way Broward (UWB) Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Fellowship, the partnership connects advanced social work education with some of Broward County’s most pressing community needs.

The collaboration welcomes UWB Fellow Jahniece Boone, who will have the opportunity to bring doctoral-level scholarship into a community setting where research, leadership, policy, and practice can directly improve lives.

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Designed to support advanced training in applied social work leadership, community impact, and solution-focused practice, the fellowship reflects a shared commitment to preparing leaders who can translate knowledge into action.

“This fellowship reflects the heart of our mission at the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice: preparing leaders who use knowledge, compassion and evidence-informed practice to create meaningful change,”

said Naelys Luna, Ph.D., MSW, dean of ����Vlog’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. “Our partnership with United Way of Broward County gives our doctoral student an extraordinary opportunity to connect advanced scholarship with the needs of our communities. By bringing doctoral education, mentorship, and community expertise together, we are developing the next generation of social work leaders while strengthening the systems and partnerships that help individuals and families thrive.”

Turning Research into Solutions

Through high-level, practice-informed experiences, Boone and future fellows will engage with community leaders and initiatives that advance United Way of Broward County’s mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community and strengthening systems that promote health, education and economic stability.

Rebecca McGuire, Ph.D. Vice President of Housing at United Way Broward shared the transformational effect of combining academic excellence with community action. “Our doctoral fellows bring research, critical thinking, and fresh perspectives to some of Broward County’s most pressing challenges, while gaining firsthand experience translating knowledge into meaningful solutions. This fellowship is more than an academic opportunity—it is an investment in developing the next generation of leaders who understand that research has its greatest impact when it improves the lives of people and strengthens our communities,” she said.

A defining component of the fellowship is its integration with the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice’s DSW program. Boone will receive joint mentorship while completing a DSW capstone project aligned with one of United Way Broward’s five primary areas of impact: substance use reduction, health improvements, homelessness reduction, veterans’ services, or suicide prevention.

For Danielle Groton, Ph.D., associate professor and Doctor of Social Work program coordinator in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work, the fellowship represents both an educational opportunity and an investment in community leadership.

“We are delighted to launch this fellowship and deepen the partnership between our DSW program and United Way of Broward County,” Groton said. “What has stood out to me throughout the development of this initiative is United Way’s intentional commitment to providing a meaningful mentorship and leadership development experience. This Fellowship creates a unique opportunity for Ms. Boone to integrate doctoral-level learning with hands-on community impact while learning from top Broward County nonprofit and community leaders. I look forward to seeing the meaningful contributions she will make through this fellowship and the lasting impact it will have on our community,” she said.

Preparing Leaders to Create Change

The first-ever partnership embodies the mission of the Sandler School of Social Work and its DSW program by creating a direct bridge between doctoral learning and community impact as it develops and retains members of the local workforce. As Boone begins her work, she will demonstrate what becomes possible when ����Vlog, our hometown university, and community organizations work together: research informs action, education develops leadership, and emerging social work leaders help create solutions that strengthen communities.

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