On Friday, September 30, members of the Fordham GSS and Molloy University communities gathered at the Molloy campus to honor the two programs and their 25-year partnership.

For over two decades, this collaboration has allowed Long Island residents to pursue their passions through an MSW degree that best fits their lifestyles. The Fordham/Molloy MSW program is currently offered through two avenues: traditional face-to-face, and a hybrid option.

In the traditional program, students split their time between the Fordham Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan, and the Molloy campus. This gives Long Island students the opportunity to experience the culture of New York City, while maintaining balance in their schedules by minimizing the commute on “Molloy” class days. 

Additionally, students have the option to attend classes in a hybrid manner, taking in-person classes at Molloy, and online, remote classes through Fordham GSS. This option offers the flexibility of online education, while also letting students form an in-person community of their own on the Molloy campus.

Through both options, graduates receive a Fordham University MSW degree.

The Celebration

The celebration kicked off with some education and those coveted CEHs for all in attendance. Sharon Grand, Ph.D., owner of Wavelengths Psychology, Neurofeedback, and Counseling, conducted an interactive workshop titled “How to Stay Sane when the World Seems Crazy – Understanding Compassion Fatigue, Avoiding Burnout, and Re-Discovering Joy.”

“Our chosen career has the capacity to impact us over time and change our thoughts, feelings, and world view,” Grand wrote in the course description. “This presentation focuses on recognizing and understanding the signs and symptoms of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue.”

Grand discussed the differences between compassion fatigue and burnout, and provided the audience with tools to better identify the signs and symptoms of each. To round it out, participants were taught strategies of how to practice self-care to not only counter burnout, but to achieve peak performance in the workplace.

After the workshop concluded, the night of connection and celebration began.

“I really appreciate all of the Molloy and Fordham faculty who work together to educate our students,” Debra McPhee, Ph.D., dean of GSS, said. “I hope we can do this for another 25 years together.”

Joanna Suppa, director of the Fordham/Molloy MSW program, led the team that organized the event. It has been one of her many outstanding efforts to cultivate a strong Fordham/Molloy community in the year since she has started the position. 

“In such a short amount of time she’s brought so much positive energy to our students and our staff,” McPhee said of Suppa. “I have great hopes of growing the program even further in the future with her.”

Award Recipients

The celebration also included a segment for three alumni awards: The Emerging Leader Award, The Field Placement Award, and the Alumni Award of Excellence.

Each award recipient was nominated by those in the Fordham/Molloy Communities for their dedication to social work and the program.