Social Innovators in Action

Meet Aspiring Leaders From Across the United States

The online social work doctorate program at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work attracts aspiring social innovators from diverse professional backgrounds, including business, health care and public policy. Meet a few of our students, and learn how their desire to solve large-scale social problems has inspired them to pursue a doctorate in social work.

Glenna Anderson, DSW

Mental Health Clinician
Torrance, California

“I am a naturally creative person with a passion for social work. The DSW program seemed to be a hybrid of these two ideas. It focuses on innovation and new ways of tackling old problems.”

Tina Atherall, DSW

CEO, PsychArmor Institute
New York, New York

“The DSW program provides a wide space to think differently, think outside the box and, most importantly, lose the pounds of restrictions that we often place on ourselves as professionals.”

Noel Lipana, DSW

Board Member, DJD Art Foundation
Folsom, California

“I chose the DSW@USC because I wanted to be part of an aggressive and focused attempt to solve some of our most difficult social challenges through science, leadership and innovation.”

Melita “Chepa” Rank, DSW

Behavioral Health Director, Fort Thompson Indian Health Service
Fort Thompson, South Dakota

“I had been researching other DSW programs, but once I found USC’s program built on the Grand Challenges for Social Work, I knew this was the right program.”