Graduate School of Social Service

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GSS Campus Locations

With three New York campus locations, the Fordham Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) has a place for you—whether you prefer a fast-paced urban campus, or the tree-lined suburbs. Whichever location you choose, you’ll be part of an exciting, diverse community that is making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and societies across the country and around the world.

GSS News

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Antonio Molestina Bridges Legal and Social Work Careers

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Antonio Molestina Bridges Legal and Social Work Careers

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. What’s your hometown? I live in Brooklyn, New York, but I was born in Santiago, Chile. What were your undergraduate studies? I was a History major at […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Queens-Native Giancarlos Valerio Serves His Community Through Social Work

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Queens-Native Giancarlos Valerio Serves His Community Through Social Work

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Inspired by his mother, a paraprofessional, Giancarlos came to GSS to pursue a career working with children in a therapeutic setting. After graduation on May 20, not […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Former Detective Christine Bonaci on the Strategy of Social Work

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Former Detective Christine Bonaci on the Strategy of Social Work

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. What’s your hometown? Los Angeles, California, until I was 18, then I spent on and off 21 years in Washington, D.C. What were your undergraduate […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Grace Laria Combines Legal Background with Social Work Skills for an Interdisciplinary Future in Immigration Services

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Grace Laria Combines Legal Background with Social Work Skills for an Interdisciplinary Future in Immigration Services

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. During her first field placement as a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) student at Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Service, Grace Laria, GSS ’25, met […]

Diagnosed with ASD Later in Life, GSS Graduate Advocates for Disability Justice

Diagnosed with ASD Later in Life, GSS Graduate Advocates for Disability Justice

From a budding Wall Street businessman to a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs, Marc Pintel’s social work journey has been anything but conventional. Marc’s business acumen was driven by the desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. After graduating with his MBA, Marc worked on Wall Street […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Meredith Outwater – From Finance to Finding Purpose

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Meredith Outwater – From Finance to Finding Purpose

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Meredith Outwater’s first day in the Master of Social Work (M.S.W) program at the Graduate School of Social Service was filled with nerves. Despite having an […]

Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, CSWE President and CEO, Named 2025 GSS Diploma Ceremony Speaker

Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, CSWE President and CEO, Named 2025 GSS Diploma Ceremony Speaker

The Graduate School of Social Service is proud to announce that Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.Ed., will serve as this year’s Diploma Ceremony Speaker for the Class of 2025. The GSS Diploma Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 20, at 10 am. ET on Edwards Parade at the Rose Hill campus. Halaevalu F. […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Jake Schefer’s Ultimate Research and Advocacy Experience

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Jake Schefer’s Ultimate Research and Advocacy Experience

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. What’s your hometown? I was born in Manhattan, but I grew up in Westchester County. What were your undergraduate studies? Film—screenwriting specifically.  Why did you […]

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Lily Hammer Finds Her Calling in Aging Services

Class of 2025 Changemakers: Lily Hammer Finds Her Calling in Aging Services

As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Lily Hammer, GSS ’25, a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS), has always felt drawn […]

“You’re Giving Back to What You Were Given”: How One Fordham MSW Alumna Supports Future Social Workers

“You’re Giving Back to What You Were Given”: How One Fordham MSW Alumna Supports Future Social Workers

Joan Balfour, GSS ’77, wants others to have the same opportunities she did. As a student in Fordham’s Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program, Balfour was a single mother of two making $66 per week and had no way to afford tuition. She loved her studies, and it showed in her academic results—Balfour was an […]