Category: Luskin’s Latest Blog
Source: https://luskin.ucla.edu/news/luskins-latest-blog
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:31
Category: Luskin’s Latest Blog
Archive for category: Luskin’s Latest Blog
Use this category ONLY for short items intended for the Luskin’s Latest blog. Do NOT tag the entries with any other categories.
David C. Turner III
, assistant professor of Black Life and Racial Justice at UCLA Luskin, has been recognized with an Early Career Award from the Grassroots Community and Youth Organizing Special Interest Group of the
American Educational Research Association
.
The award honors emerging scholars whose work advances research and practice in community and youth organizing. Turner’s scholarship is deeply rooted in community-based research and advocacy, supporting grassroots movements across Los Angeles and California. As faculty director of the Million Dollar Hoods Project and a faculty affiliate with the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, his work examines the impacts of incarceration while actively partnering with communities to advance change.
“I’m humbled to receive the award,” Turner said, emphasizing that it reflects collective efforts. “We have so much more work to do. As scholars, we must go beyond simply ‘studying’ organizing—we must be involved.”
Founded in 1916, AERA is the nation’s leading research organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving education through scholarship.
Michelle Cisneros is a Master of Social Welfare student at UCLA, where she is focused on supporting system-impacted communities. Through her work at Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center and in school-based settings, she brings a trauma-informed, community-centered approach to advancing equity and mental health.
Michelle Cisneros
You’ve worked with justice-involved youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center. What has been the most rewarding or eye-opening part of supporting these youth, and how has it shaped your approach to social work?
One of the most eye-opening parts of working with justice-involved youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has been realizing how many of their behaviors are rooted in unmet needs, trauma, and lack of support rather than simply “bad choices”. Building trust in such a structured environment has been especially rewarding, as seeing a student open up or try new coping and communication skills shows how impactful consistency and genuine care can be. At the same time, I have learned that supporting youth is not just about the one-on-one relationship, but also about building strong connections with the other adults in their lives, including probation staff, teachers, and administration. Establishing that rapport helps create bridges across systems, streamline communication, and makes it easier to provide consistent and effective support when everyone is aligned. This experience has shaped my approach by reinforcing the importance of being trauma-informed, strengths-based, collaborative, and intentional in both direct practice and system-level work.
Looking ahead, how do you hope to apply your Luskin education and field experiences to make an impact on at-risk youth or survivors of violence after graduation?
Looking ahead, I hope to apply what I have learned at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs by working with system-impacted individuals in a way that feels both culturally grounded and genuinely supportive. As a Latina in this field, I carry a strong awareness of how culture, family, and community shape the way people experience and talk about mental health, and I want to use that perspective to create spaces where individuals feel seen without having to explain or justify their identities. My goal is not only to provide individual support through skills like emotional regulation and communication, but also to challenge systems that often
overlook or misunderstand communities like the ones I come from. I hope to bridge direct practice with advocacy by pushing for more accessible, culturally responsive mental health resources and by showing up in this field as someone who reflects the lived experiences of the individuals I serve.
What advice would you give to students or early-career professionals interested in pursuing a career that bridges social work, community engagement, and system-involved populations?
My biggest advice would be to stay open, patient, and grounded in why you chose this work, because working with system-involved populations can be challenging but deeply meaningful. Focus on building strong foundational skills like active listening, rapport building, and trauma-informed care, as these matter more than having all the “right” answers. Seek out hands-on experiences early, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, because that is where the most growth happens. It is also important to understand the systems your clients are navigating while still seeing each person as more than their involvement in those systems. Most importantly, find your why and hold onto it. This work can be heavy, but when you find purpose and happiness in it, along with strong supervision and support, it will help you stay grounded and continue showing up in a genuine way.
On the eve of Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election, a new report from the UCLA Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) examines whether Viktor Orbán’s 16-year “illiberal democracy” experiment is a model for Europe’s future or a cautionary tale.
Using BGI data, researchers found that
Hungary
‘s democratic accountability has fallen sharply since 2010, state capacity has mildly deteriorated, and public goods provision has improved only modestly thanks to EU transfers.
Crucially, Orbán’s Fidesz party now trails the center-right Tisza Party by nearly 10 points —raising the prospect of a democratic reset echoing Poland’s 2023 election. The report outlines three post-election scenarios: continued illiberalism, cosmetic reform, or genuine democratic renewal.
The Berggruen Governance Index is a collaborative project between the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, the Hertie School, and the
Berggruen Institute
,
Read the full report.
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs continues to be ranked among the top public affairs graduate schools in California, maintaining its position as the
No. 3 public affairs school in the state
.
Nationally, UCLA Luskin is ranked No. 20 (tie) in the latest
U.S. News & World Report
reflecting sustained excellence across the School’s academic programs and strong recognition from peer institutions.
UCLA Luskin’s Social Work program maintained a top-tier position at No. 8 in the nation. The School also remains highly ranked across several key policy subspecialties: No. 6 nationally for social policy, No. 11 for urban policy, and No. 18 for public policy analysis. The School earned new recognition in the local government management category.
Founded in 1994, UCLA Luskin brings together social welfare, urban planning and public policy in a uniquely interdisciplinary school of public affairs. Through cutting-edge research and collaborative teaching, the School addresses pressing challenges shaping communities locally and globally.
See the
full list of the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools
.
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Professor
Ron Avi Astor
has received the Division E Distinguished Research Award in Human Development from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
Astor and three co-authors were recognized for their article
“The Contribution of School Victimization to Sadness, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Ideation Among Bias-Based and Non-Bias-Based Victims and the Moderating Role of School Climate.”
Published last year in the journal Educational Researcher, the article examined the impact of students’ victimization, including how a positive school climate could affect mental health outcomes. The research was based on a study of more than 1 million middle and high school students in California.
Astor, an international scholar of school climate and violence, has a dual appointment with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. The award will be presented at AERA’s annual conference in Los Angeles this week.
Read the full story.
Read more about the research.
Liza Li, a UCLA Luskin social welfare alumna, is building a career centered on community-based behavioral health, culturally responsive care and mental health equity. In this Q&A, she reflects on receiving a fellowship, the value of her MSW training, and her commitment to serving older adults and AAPI communities.
Congratulations on being named a fellow in the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative, a program supporting early-career clinicians working toward licensure. What does this recognition mean to you at this stage in your career?
This fellowship represents a meaningful affirmation of my commitment to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. At this stage in my career, as I work toward clinical licensure, this recognition reinforces my dedication to serving older adults, particularly older adults of color, and advancing mental health equity within underserved communities. It not only validates my passion but also provides critical support and guidance as I navigate my post-MSW path toward licensure and clinical practice.
Liza Li
How has your Luskin MSW education prepared you for work in community-based behavioral health and clinical settings?
My MSW education at UCLA Luskin has provided me with a strong foundation in clinical theory and practice, along with a deeper understanding of the structural factors that shape mental health outcomes. Through my internship, I gained hands-on experience navigating the Los Angeles County behavioral health system, particularly in serving older adults and communities of color. I developed skills in client engagement, care coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and connecting clients to community resources.
Luskin’s emphasis on cultural humility has shaped my commitment to providing culturally responsive, person-centered care. Overall, my journey at Luskin has prepared me to effectively integrate clinical skills with community-based practice to serve diverse and underserved populations.
Your work focuses on mental health equity for older adults and AAPI communities. What personal or professional experiences have shaped this commitment?
My commitment to mental health equity for older adults and AAPI communities comes from both my personal background and professional experiences. Growing up as a first-generation AAPI immigrant, I witnessed how mental health stigma affected my own family, especially older relatives, who often struggled in silence due to cultural expectations and limited access to community-based care. These experiences made me acutely aware of the barriers faced by people of color, particularly older adults, and inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference.
Through my MSW training and fieldwork, I have gained a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges these communities encounter, which continues to fuel my dedication to providing culturally informed, person-centered care and advocating for mental health equity.
As a trilingual clinician, how do language and cultural responsiveness show up in your day-to-day work with clients and families?
As a trilingual clinician, language and cultural responsiveness are central to my day-to-day work with clients and families. Being able to communicate in a client’s preferred language helps build trust, foster rapport, and ensure they feel truly heard and understood. Beyond language, I pay close attention to cultural values, norms and personal experiences that shape how clients perceive mental health, seek support and engage in care.
I strive to understand each client as a whole person, considering all aspects of their life, not only cultural background, so that my approach is comprehensive, respectful and person-centered.
What advice would you give to current UCLA Luskin MSW students or recent graduates who are interested in clinical licensure and community mental health work?
I would advise current UCLA Luskin MSW students and recent graduates to seek diverse clinical experiences early and explore where their passion lies, including placements that offer both individual therapy and community-based work. Ultimately, the communities we serve need dedicated social workers, and with commitment and perseverance, you can make a meaningful impact.
John Kerr and Peyton Johnson, David Bohnett Fellows at UCLA Luskin, traveled to Milan for the 2026 Winter Paralympics and on to Paris for high-level planning sessions. They gained a front-row look at how international events are planned, executed and organized with accessibility in mind.
The trip, made possible through UCLA Luskin’s partnership with the David Bohnett Foundation, offered Kerr, a master of urban and regional planning student, and Johnson, a master of social welfare student, a front-row perspective on the challenges and processes involved in organizing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
John Kerr (left) and Peyton Johnson (right) stand in front of Seine River in Paris, France.
In Milan, the fellows participated in intensive sessions with city officials and the Milano Cortina Organizing Committee (MiCo OCOG), focusing on the Cultural Olympiad — the programming surrounding athletic competitions — and the logistics required to deliver an inclusive and equitable experience for athletes, spectators, and community members alike.
After Milan, the fellows continued to Paris, where they studied post-Games planning and accessibility efforts following the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Team members from the Office of Major Events visited the historic Verona Arena, site of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, for an accessibility tour. They saw improvements designed to make the 1st-century coliseum more accessible for people with disabilities, including the installation of its first elevator — all while preserving the venue’s iconic architecture. The fellows also observed how MiCo26 organizers transformed the space for a spectacular Opening Ceremony featuring more than 600 athletes from 55 nations and artistic performances that highlighted the unifying power of sport.
“Standing in a 2,000-year-old stadium, built by the Romans, and seeing how it was being updated to become accessible to people with different mobility needs showed me that positive transformation is possible anywhere and everywhere,” Kerr said. “Accessibility is a challenge and must be at the forefront of how we plan for the 2028 Games.”
For Kerr, the experience also underscored the complexity and flexibility required to host global events.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are totally unique, and despite being a regular occurrence every four years, the production of the Games is basically built from the ground up each time,” he said. “The approach of each host city also varies considerably… Los Angeles doesn’t need to strive to replicate the experience of prior hosts, it’s really up to us to define the experience for ourselves.”
That lesson was reinforced through direct conversations with planners abroad.
“Talking with urban planners in Milan and Paris, I was actually really struck by how much unites us,” Kerr said. “We shared a common goal of improving our cities bit by bit, day after day, for the betterment of our communities.”
Observing the Paralympics firsthand gave both fellows a deeper understanding of how infrastructure, policy and design intersect to shape equitable experiences.
Johnson noted in particular how cities can leverage major events to drive long-term change.
“Observing the MiCo26 Winter Games while they were happening and visiting Paris two years after hosting the Paris24 Summer Games illuminated the opportunity for meaningful change sparked by major sporting events,” she said.
MURP and Bohnett Fellow, John Kerr, on a tour of the Paralympic Village in Milan, Italy.
In Milan, she noted, investments in transit and cultural institutions prioritized accessibility, while Paris has continued to redesign neighborhoods to ensure inclusive public spaces.
“From cultural institutions to public works to sport organizations, both Paris24 and MiCo26 turned a one-time global event into a legacy of accessibility and inclusion that will continue to benefit citizens for generations,” Johnson said.
As Bohnett Fellows in the Mayor’s Office of Major Events, both students are uniquely positioned to translate these global lessons into local impact. The fellowship, established in 2007, provides outstanding UCLA Luskin graduate students with hands-on experience in city government, placing them in high-level roles where they contribute to pressing urban challenges.
For Johnson, the trip reinforced the broader mission behind Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Games.
“The LA28 Games present Los Angeles with the opportunity of a lifetime to advance equity throughout the city and reimagine our governing systems,” she said. “Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is no small task, but returning to the guiding principles of accessibility and equity always motivate the work.”
In the past, you’ve served in several leadership roles such as Vice Chair of the University Student Union Board of Directors and the Associated Students Incorporated Health and Human Services Representative. Now, as an MSW student at UCLA Luskin, how have these leadership experiences influenced the way you initiate change for your community’s social welfare?
My leadership experiences have made me a more intentional, collaborative, and systems-focused advocate for social welfare as an MSW student at UCLA Luskin. Serving on boards taught me how policy, budgets and organizational structures directly shape people’s everyday experiences. This awareness now guides me to think beyond individual interventions and consider the systemic changes, rules, policies and processes that must shift to create lasting impact.
Negin Dadmarz
In practice, I apply this perspective through active participation in committees, structured feedback to departments and support for student organizations advancing social justice and equity within the MSW program. As former vice chair and a college representative, I learned to center stakeholder voice and participatory decision-making. I continue to create listening spaces for peers, amplify concerns around field education and financial stress, and co-design solutions that reflect collective input rather than top-down decisions. Drawing on motivational interviewing principles, I facilitate these dialogues with empathy and collaboration, helping peers articulate shared goals and identify actionable steps toward change. These leadership roles have strengthened my skills in agenda-setting and strategic communication — tools I now use to drive institutional change through collaborative meetings, and advocacy initiatives addressing mental health and financial issues on campus and beyond. Through this work, I’ve also expanded my professional network by actively engaging with faculty, alumni, and fellow students who share a vision of equity-centered education and practice.
Building on these collaborations, I am currently leading efforts to bring the Financial First Responders training developed by the Asset Building Clinic in partnership with my former undergraduate faculty mentor, Dr. Joanna Karczewska, and Dr. Liz Barnett, to UCA Luskin School of Public Affairs MSW program. This initiative equips social work students with foundational financial capability skills to better support clients across diverse communities and populations. I have worked closely with Professor Michelly Talley, who oversees the first-year AOC Health and Mental Health course, the training is scheduled for implementation in Spring 2026. The program bridges clinical practice, motivational engagement, and economic empowerment. This project exemplifies my commitment to integrating systems thinking, cultural humility, and financial well-being into social work education while transforming institutional partnerships into tangible, equity-driven impact.
Where do you see yourself a decade from now and what do you hope to have achieved in social welfare and advocacy?
A decade from now, I envision myself as a licensed clinical social worker continuing to serve in community mental health settings that center low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. I hope to have deepened my clinical expertise in evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy, providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to individuals often marginalized within systems of care.
Alongside clinical practice, I plan to continue my research on how financial stress impacts mental health and to expand the reach of the Financial First Responders training in collaboration with the Asset Building Clinic. My vision is to make this program accessible to all social workers, equipping the next generation of practitioners with financial capability skills that empower clients across communities and service settings.
My long-term goal is not only to provide high-quality direct services but also to contribute to the field through mentorship and program development. I aspire to support emerging social workers, particularly first-generation students, immigrants, and clinicians of color, in integrating their lived experiences into their professional identities. I am also committed to developing group protocols, curricula, and psychoeducational resources that reflect the strengths and realities of the communities we serve.
Ultimately, I envision myself shaping a future in which advanced clinical practice is inseparable from equity and inclusion. By grounding my work in strong clinical skills, systems thinking and an ongoing commitment to social justice, I aim to help move the field of clinical social work toward more responsive, culturally grounded and economically empowering care for all.
What advice would you give future students entering the MSW program who also hope
to pursue a concentration in health and mental health?
My advice to future MSW students pursuing the Health and Mental Health concentration is to approach the program with curiosity, openness and self-compassion. The learning curve can be steep, but every challenge, whether in the classroom, during supervision, or in field placement, is an opportunity to grow both clinically and personally. Lean into your cohort and field supervisors for support; some of the most meaningful insights will come from shared reflection and collaboration. Take time to explore different evidence-based modalities and populations to find what resonates with your values and clinical style. Most importantly, stay grounded in your “why,” the communities and stories that drew you to this work. They’ll help sustain you through the academic challenge of graduate training and remind you that growth as a clinician is as much about humility and empathy as it is about knowledge and skill.
Organized by the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and co-sponsored by multiple UCLA departments, including the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, lecture “
Supporting Democracy, Coexistence and Cultural Identity in Israeli Education
” explored how education can foster coexistence during periods of war and heightened conflict. The event brought together Karen Tal, Director General of Amal Educational Network; Mona Khoury, professor of social work and Vice President for Strategy and Diversity at the Hebrew University; and
Ron Avi Astor
, UCLA professor of social welfare, who presented a collaborative initiative with the Amal Educational Network.
The lecture highlighted research and practice designed to help students see the humanity in one another through curriculum, dialogue and school-based exchanges. Speakers emphasized that education systems can either reinforce division or cultivate empathy, mutual understanding and social justice. By implementing structured interactions and inclusive policies, schools can reduce prejudice and foster a shared civic identity.
Astor’s large-scale research project, involving 30,000 students and 100,000 adults, examined how school environments influence bullying, violence, and social cohesion.
“Through decades of study, we’ve seen that when schools create positive, welcoming climates, students thrive,” said Astor.
“The Israeli Ministry of Education adopted our program and implemented it across schools. Over time, even amid ongoing violence, war, and the challenges students face outside the classroom, there has been a 50% to 70% reduction in violence—including serious incidents as well as the day-to-day experiences students face. This demonstrates that when schools teach in intentional, supportive ways, children are better equipped to navigate the outside world—even when that world can be incredibly difficult.”
The lecture underscored that schools are critical spaces not only for academic learning but also for shaping the social and moral frameworks necessary for long-term peace and coexistence. To watch the full lecture,
visit here
.
Researchers across UCLA are partnering with community organizations to test soil samples from neighborhoods across Los Angeles County for contaminants such as lead and other heavy metals. A key leader in this work is
Kirsten Schwarz
, an associate professor in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health who also teaches at the
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
. Schwarz co-leads the LA Urban Soil Social Impact Collaborative, a community-university partnership that provides soil testing, education and practical guidance to help residents understand and manage potential risks in their yards and gardens.
Through a series of field events — including a recent testing day at MudTown Farms in Watts — the team has already screened hundreds of soil samples for local residents and offered consultations on ways to improve soil health and safety. Schwarz emphasizes that while testing is an important first step, communities also need accessible solutions, such as soil amendments and clean soil, to reduce exposure risks.
Read the full article to learn more.
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Archive for category: Luskin’s Latest Blog
Use this category ONLY for short items intended for the Luskin’s Latest blog. Do NOT tag the entries with any other categories.
David C. Turner III
, assistant professor of Black Life and Racial Justice at UCLA Luskin, has been recognized with an Early Career Award from the Grassroots Community and Youth Organizing Special Interest Group of the
American Educational Research Association
.
The award honors emerging scholars whose work advances research and practice in community and youth organizing. Turner’s scholarship is deeply rooted in community-based research and advocacy, supporting grassroots movements across Los Angeles and California. As faculty director of the Million Dollar Hoods Project and a faculty affiliate with the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, his work examines the impacts of incarceration while actively partnering with communities to advance change.
“I’m humbled to receive the award,” Turner said, emphasizing that it reflects collective efforts. “We have so much more work to do. As scholars, we must go beyond simply ‘studying’ organizing—we must be involved.”
Founded in 1916, AERA is the nation’s leading research organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving education through scholarship.
Michelle Cisneros is a Master of Social Welfare student at UCLA, where she is focused on supporting system-impacted communities. Through her work at Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center and in school-based settings, she brings a trauma-informed, community-centered approach to advancing equity and mental health.
Michelle Cisneros
You’ve worked with justice-involved youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center. What has been the most rewarding or eye-opening part of supporting these youth, and how has it shaped your approach to social work?
One of the most eye-opening parts of working with justice-involved youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has been realizing how many of their behaviors are rooted in unmet needs, trauma, and lack of support rather than simply “bad choices”. Building trust in such a structured environment has been especially rewarding, as seeing a student open up or try new coping and communication skills shows how impactful consistency and genuine care can be. At the same time, I have learned that supporting youth is not just about the one-on-one relationship, but also about building strong connections with the other adults in their lives, including probation staff, teachers, and administration. Establishing that rapport helps create bridges across systems, streamline communication, and makes it easier to provide consistent and effective support when everyone is aligned. This experience has shaped my approach by reinforcing the importance of being trauma-informed, strengths-based, collaborative, and intentional in both direct practice and system-level work.
Looking ahead, how do you hope to apply your Luskin education and field experiences to make an impact on at-risk youth or survivors of violence after graduation?
Looking ahead, I hope to apply what I have learned at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs by working with system-impacted individuals in a way that feels both culturally grounded and genuinely supportive. As a Latina in this field, I carry a strong awareness of how culture, family, and community shape the way people experience and talk about mental health, and I want to use that perspective to create spaces where individuals feel seen without having to explain or justify their identities. My goal is not only to provide individual support through skills like emotional regulation and communication, but also to challenge systems that often
overlook or misunderstand communities like the ones I come from. I hope to bridge direct practice with advocacy by pushing for more accessible, culturally responsive mental health resources and by showing up in this field as someone who reflects the lived experiences of the individuals I serve.
What advice would you give to students or early-career professionals interested in pursuing a career that bridges social work, community engagement, and system-involved populations?
My biggest advice would be to stay open, patient, and grounded in why you chose this work, because working with system-involved populations can be challenging but deeply meaningful. Focus on building strong foundational skills like active listening, rapport building, and trauma-informed care, as these matter more than having all the “right” answers. Seek out hands-on experiences early, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, because that is where the most growth happens. It is also important to understand the systems your clients are navigating while still seeing each person as more than their involvement in those systems. Most importantly, find your why and hold onto it. This work can be heavy, but when you find purpose and happiness in it, along with strong supervision and support, it will help you stay grounded and continue showing up in a genuine way.
On the eve of Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary election, a new report from the UCLA Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) examines whether Viktor Orbán’s 16-year “illiberal democracy” experiment is a model for Europe’s future or a cautionary tale.
Using BGI data, researchers found that
Hungary
‘s democratic accountability has fallen sharply since 2010, state capacity has mildly deteriorated, and public goods provision has improved only modestly thanks to EU transfers.
Crucially, Orbán’s Fidesz party now trails the center-right Tisza Party by nearly 10 points —raising the prospect of a democratic reset echoing Poland’s 2023 election. The report outlines three post-election scenarios: continued illiberalism, cosmetic reform, or genuine democratic renewal.
The Berggruen Governance Index is a collaborative project between the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, the Hertie School, and the
Berggruen Institute
,
Read the full report.
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs continues to be ranked among the top public affairs graduate schools in California, maintaining its position as the
No. 3 public affairs school in the state
.
Nationally, UCLA Luskin is ranked No. 20 (tie) in the latest
U.S. News & World Report
reflecting sustained excellence across the School’s academic programs and strong recognition from peer institutions.
UCLA Luskin’s Social Work program maintained a top-tier position at No. 8 in the nation. The School also remains highly ranked across several key policy subspecialties: No. 6 nationally for social policy, No. 11 for urban policy, and No. 18 for public policy analysis. The School earned new recognition in the local government management category.
Founded in 1994, UCLA Luskin brings together social welfare, urban planning and public policy in a uniquely interdisciplinary school of public affairs. Through cutting-edge research and collaborative teaching, the School addresses pressing challenges shaping communities locally and globally.
See the
full list of the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools
.
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Professor
Ron Avi Astor
has received the Division E Distinguished Research Award in Human Development from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
Astor and three co-authors were recognized for their article
“The Contribution of School Victimization to Sadness, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Ideation Among Bias-Based and Non-Bias-Based Victims and the Moderating Role of School Climate.”
Published last year in the journal Educational Researcher, the article examined the impact of students’ victimization, including how a positive school climate could affect mental health outcomes. The research was based on a study of more than 1 million middle and high school students in California.
Astor, an international scholar of school climate and violence, has a dual appointment with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. The award will be presented at AERA’s annual conference in Los Angeles this week.
Read the full story.
Read more about the research.
Liza Li, a UCLA Luskin social welfare alumna, is building a career centered on community-based behavioral health, culturally responsive care and mental health equity. In this Q&A, she reflects on receiving a fellowship, the value of her MSW training, and her commitment to serving older adults and AAPI communities.
Congratulations on being named a fellow in the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative, a program supporting early-career clinicians working toward licensure. What does this recognition mean to you at this stage in your career?
This fellowship represents a meaningful affirmation of my commitment to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. At this stage in my career, as I work toward clinical licensure, this recognition reinforces my dedication to serving older adults, particularly older adults of color, and advancing mental health equity within underserved communities. It not only validates my passion but also provides critical support and guidance as I navigate my post-MSW path toward licensure and clinical practice.
Liza Li
How has your Luskin MSW education prepared you for work in community-based behavioral health and clinical settings?
My MSW education at UCLA Luskin has provided me with a strong foundation in clinical theory and practice, along with a deeper understanding of the structural factors that shape mental health outcomes. Through my internship, I gained hands-on experience navigating the Los Angeles County behavioral health system, particularly in serving older adults and communities of color. I developed skills in client engagement, care coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and connecting clients to community resources.
Luskin’s emphasis on cultural humility has shaped my commitment to providing culturally responsive, person-centered care. Overall, my journey at Luskin has prepared me to effectively integrate clinical skills with community-based practice to serve diverse and underserved populations.
Your work focuses on mental health equity for older adults and AAPI communities. What personal or professional experiences have shaped this commitment?
My commitment to mental health equity for older adults and AAPI communities comes from both my personal background and professional experiences. Growing up as a first-generation AAPI immigrant, I witnessed how mental health stigma affected my own family, especially older relatives, who often struggled in silence due to cultural expectations and limited access to community-based care. These experiences made me acutely aware of the barriers faced by people of color, particularly older adults, and inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference.
Through my MSW training and fieldwork, I have gained a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges these communities encounter, which continues to fuel my dedication to providing culturally informed, person-centered care and advocating for mental health equity.
As a trilingual clinician, how do language and cultural responsiveness show up in your day-to-day work with clients and families?
As a trilingual clinician, language and cultural responsiveness are central to my day-to-day work with clients and families. Being able to communicate in a client’s preferred language helps build trust, foster rapport, and ensure they feel truly heard and understood. Beyond language, I pay close attention to cultural values, norms and personal experiences that shape how clients perceive mental health, seek support and engage in care.
I strive to understand each client as a whole person, considering all aspects of their life, not only cultural background, so that my approach is comprehensive, respectful and person-centered.
What advice would you give to current UCLA Luskin MSW students or recent graduates who are interested in clinical licensure and community mental health work?
I would advise current UCLA Luskin MSW students and recent graduates to seek diverse clinical experiences early and explore where their passion lies, including placements that offer both individual therapy and community-based work. Ultimately, the communities we serve need dedicated social workers, and with commitment and perseverance, you can make a meaningful impact.
John Kerr and Peyton Johnson, David Bohnett Fellows at UCLA Luskin, traveled to Milan for the 2026 Winter Paralympics and on to Paris for high-level planning sessions. They gained a front-row look at how international events are planned, executed and organized with accessibility in mind.
The trip, made possible through UCLA Luskin’s partnership with the David Bohnett Foundation, offered Kerr, a master of urban and regional planning student, and Johnson, a master of social welfare student, a front-row perspective on the challenges and processes involved in organizing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
John Kerr (left) and Peyton Johnson (right) stand in front of Seine River in Paris, France.
In Milan, the fellows participated in intensive sessions with city officials and the Milano Cortina Organizing Committee (MiCo OCOG), focusing on the Cultural Olympiad — the programming surrounding athletic competitions — and the logistics required to deliver an inclusive and equitable experience for athletes, spectators, and community members alike.
After Milan, the fellows continued to Paris, where they studied post-Games planning and accessibility efforts following the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Team members from the Office of Major Events visited the historic Verona Arena, site of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, for an accessibility tour. They saw improvements designed to make the 1st-century coliseum more accessible for people with disabilities, including the installation of its first elevator — all while preserving the venue’s iconic architecture. The fellows also observed how MiCo26 organizers transformed the space for a spectacular Opening Ceremony featuring more than 600 athletes from 55 nations and artistic performances that highlighted the unifying power of sport.
“Standing in a 2,000-year-old stadium, built by the Romans, and seeing how it was being updated to become accessible to people with different mobility needs showed me that positive transformation is possible anywhere and everywhere,” Kerr said. “Accessibility is a challenge and must be at the forefront of how we plan for the 2028 Games.”
For Kerr, the experience also underscored the complexity and flexibility required to host global events.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are totally unique, and despite being a regular occurrence every four years, the production of the Games is basically built from the ground up each time,” he said. “The approach of each host city also varies considerably… Los Angeles doesn’t need to strive to replicate the experience of prior hosts, it’s really up to us to define the experience for ourselves.”
That lesson was reinforced through direct conversations with planners abroad.
“Talking with urban planners in Milan and Paris, I was actually really struck by how much unites us,” Kerr said. “We shared a common goal of improving our cities bit by bit, day after day, for the betterment of our communities.”
Observing the Paralympics firsthand gave both fellows a deeper understanding of how infrastructure, policy and design intersect to shape equitable experiences.
Johnson noted in particular how cities can leverage major events to drive long-term change.
“Observing the MiCo26 Winter Games while they were happening and visiting Paris two years after hosting the Paris24 Summer Games illuminated the opportunity for meaningful change sparked by major sporting events,” she said.
MURP and Bohnett Fellow, John Kerr, on a tour of the Paralympic Village in Milan, Italy.
In Milan, she noted, investments in transit and cultural institutions prioritized accessibility, while Paris has continued to redesign neighborhoods to ensure inclusive public spaces.
“From cultural institutions to public works to sport organizations, both Paris24 and MiCo26 turned a one-time global event into a legacy of accessibility and inclusion that will continue to benefit citizens for generations,” Johnson said.
As Bohnett Fellows in the Mayor’s Office of Major Events, both students are uniquely positioned to translate these global lessons into local impact. The fellowship, established in 2007, provides outstanding UCLA Luskin graduate students with hands-on experience in city government, placing them in high-level roles where they contribute to pressing urban challenges.
For Johnson, the trip reinforced the broader mission behind Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Games.
“The LA28 Games present Los Angeles with the opportunity of a lifetime to advance equity throughout the city and reimagine our governing systems,” she said. “Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is no small task, but returning to the guiding principles of accessibility and equity always motivate the work.”
In the past, you’ve served in several leadership roles such as Vice Chair of the University Student Union Board of Directors and the Associated Students Incorporated Health and Human Services Representative. Now, as an MSW student at UCLA Luskin, how have these leadership experiences influenced the way you initiate change for your community’s social welfare?
My leadership experiences have made me a more intentional, collaborative, and systems-focused advocate for social welfare as an MSW student at UCLA Luskin. Serving on boards taught me how policy, budgets and organizational structures directly shape people’s everyday experiences. This awareness now guides me to think beyond individual interventions and consider the systemic changes, rules, policies and processes that must shift to create lasting impact.
Negin Dadmarz
In practice, I apply this perspective through active participation in committees, structured feedback to departments and support for student organizations advancing social justice and equity within the MSW program. As former vice chair and a college representative, I learned to center stakeholder voice and participatory decision-making. I continue to create listening spaces for peers, amplify concerns around field education and financial stress, and co-design solutions that reflect collective input rather than top-down decisions. Drawing on motivational interviewing principles, I facilitate these dialogues with empathy and collaboration, helping peers articulate shared goals and identify actionable steps toward change. These leadership roles have strengthened my skills in agenda-setting and strategic communication — tools I now use to drive institutional change through collaborative meetings, and advocacy initiatives addressing mental health and financial issues on campus and beyond. Through this work, I’ve also expanded my professional network by actively engaging with faculty, alumni, and fellow students who share a vision of equity-centered education and practice.
Building on these collaborations, I am currently leading efforts to bring the Financial First Responders training developed by the Asset Building Clinic in partnership with my former undergraduate faculty mentor, Dr. Joanna Karczewska, and Dr. Liz Barnett, to UCA Luskin School of Public Affairs MSW program. This initiative equips social work students with foundational financial capability skills to better support clients across diverse communities and populations. I have worked closely with Professor Michelly Talley, who oversees the first-year AOC Health and Mental Health course, the training is scheduled for implementation in Spring 2026. The program bridges clinical practice, motivational engagement, and economic empowerment. This project exemplifies my commitment to integrating systems thinking, cultural humility, and financial well-being into social work education while transforming institutional partnerships into tangible, equity-driven impact.
Where do you see yourself a decade from now and what do you hope to have achieved in social welfare and advocacy?
A decade from now, I envision myself as a licensed clinical social worker continuing to serve in community mental health settings that center low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. I hope to have deepened my clinical expertise in evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy, providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to individuals often marginalized within systems of care.
Alongside clinical practice, I plan to continue my research on how financial stress impacts mental health and to expand the reach of the Financial First Responders training in collaboration with the Asset Building Clinic. My vision is to make this program accessible to all social workers, equipping the next generation of practitioners with financial capability skills that empower clients across communities and service settings.
My long-term goal is not only to provide high-quality direct services but also to contribute to the field through mentorship and program development. I aspire to support emerging social workers, particularly first-generation students, immigrants, and clinicians of color, in integrating their lived experiences into their professional identities. I am also committed to developing group protocols, curricula, and psychoeducational resources that reflect the strengths and realities of the communities we serve.
Ultimately, I envision myself shaping a future in which advanced clinical practice is inseparable from equity and inclusion. By grounding my work in strong clinical skills, systems thinking and an ongoing commitment to social justice, I aim to help move the field of clinical social work toward more responsive, culturally grounded and economically empowering care for all.
What advice would you give future students entering the MSW program who also hope
to pursue a concentration in health and mental health?
My advice to future MSW students pursuing the Health and Mental Health concentration is to approach the program with curiosity, openness and self-compassion. The learning curve can be steep, but every challenge, whether in the classroom, during supervision, or in field placement, is an opportunity to grow both clinically and personally. Lean into your cohort and field supervisors for support; some of the most meaningful insights will come from shared reflection and collaboration. Take time to explore different evidence-based modalities and populations to find what resonates with your values and clinical style. Most importantly, stay grounded in your “why,” the communities and stories that drew you to this work. They’ll help sustain you through the academic challenge of graduate training and remind you that growth as a clinician is as much about humility and empathy as it is about knowledge and skill.
Organized by the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and co-sponsored by multiple UCLA departments, including the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, lecture “
Supporting Democracy, Coexistence and Cultural Identity in Israeli Education
” explored how education can foster coexistence during periods of war and heightened conflict. The event brought together Karen Tal, Director General of Amal Educational Network; Mona Khoury, professor of social work and Vice President for Strategy and Diversity at the Hebrew University; and
Ron Avi Astor
, UCLA professor of social welfare, who presented a collaborative initiative with the Amal Educational Network.
The lecture highlighted research and practice designed to help students see the humanity in one another through curriculum, dialogue and school-based exchanges. Speakers emphasized that education systems can either reinforce division or cultivate empathy, mutual understanding and social justice. By implementing structured interactions and inclusive policies, schools can reduce prejudice and foster a shared civic identity.
Astor’s large-scale research project, involving 30,000 students and 100,000 adults, examined how school environments influence bullying, violence, and social cohesion.
“Through decades of study, we’ve seen that when schools create positive, welcoming climates, students thrive,” said Astor.
“The Israeli Ministry of Education adopted our program and implemented it across schools. Over time, even amid ongoing violence, war, and the challenges students face outside the classroom, there has been a 50% to 70% reduction in violence—including serious incidents as well as the day-to-day experiences students face. This demonstrates that when schools teach in intentional, supportive ways, children are better equipped to navigate the outside world—even when that world can be incredibly difficult.”
The lecture underscored that schools are critical spaces not only for academic learning but also for shaping the social and moral frameworks necessary for long-term peace and coexistence. To watch the full lecture,
visit here
.
Researchers across UCLA are partnering with community organizations to test soil samples from neighborhoods across Los Angeles County for contaminants such as lead and other heavy metals. A key leader in this work is
Kirsten Schwarz
, an associate professor in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health who also teaches at the
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
. Schwarz co-leads the LA Urban Soil Social Impact Collaborative, a community-university partnership that provides soil testing, education and practical guidance to help residents understand and manage potential risks in their yards and gardens.
Through a series of field events — including a recent testing day at MudTown Farms in Watts — the team has already screened hundreds of soil samples for local residents and offered consultations on ways to improve soil health and safety. Schwarz emphasizes that while testing is an important first step, communities also need accessible solutions, such as soil amendments and clean soil, to reduce exposure risks.
Read the full article to learn more.
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