Social Work Office of Research and Public Service

09/25/2026

We’re looking forward to sharing our work at the Tennessee Nonprofit Network Conference next week. Sara Borden and Debbie Abrams-Cohen will present “Evaluation that Builds Trust, Engagement, and Demonstrates Impact,” an interactive workshop exploring how implementation science can help organizations strengthen evaluation efforts through trust-building, frontline expertise, and intentional reflection.

Participants will engage in a hands-on activity designed to help teams transform data into meaningful, human-centered stories that demonstrate impact.

Want a preview of the conversation? Watch their conference speaker interview: https://tinyurl.com/bdefkdhm

09/10/2026

08/25/2026

We've just listed several new opportunities!

Accounting Manager:
https://tinyurl.com/k5x4kk7z

TCSEPP Coordinator (Knox Co):
https://tinyurl.com/y47cn8ra

TCSEPP Coordinator (Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Co):
https://tinyurl.com/5n8zyzt4

TCSEPP Coordinator (Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore Co):
https://tinyurl.com/yrzbnna8

TCSEPP Coordinator (Coffee, Grundy, and Warren Co):
https://tinyurl.com/2nsmkzhk

Regional TCSEPP Coordinator (West TN):
https://tinyurl.com/unb3zu8u

Regional TCSEPP Coordinator (Middle TN):
https://tinyurl.com/mveppd54

08/18/2026

Rigorous research. Meaningful recognition. Real-world impact.

We’re delighted to celebrate Dr. Jeff Vomund, Director of SWORPS’ Division of Applied Research and Evaluation, who has received the 2026 Paul R. Pintrich Division 15 Dissertation Award from the American Psychological Association’s Division 15 (Educational Psychology).

The award recognizes outstanding dissertation research in educational psychology, and Jeff will have the opportunity to address Division 15 at its 2027 conference in San Francisco.

At SWORPS, rigorous research and evaluation aren’t simply academic exercises. They help organizations ask better questions, understand what the evidence is telling them, and use what they learn to strengthen programs, policies, and services.

We’re tremendously proud to see Jeff’s scholarship recognized nationally—and grateful for the expertise and leadership he brings to this work every day.

Have a research or evaluation question your organization is trying to answer? Let’s talk. Visit us at tinyurl.com/47z33j8h to learn more.

08/07/2026

At SWORPS, technology matters most when it reduces burden on the people doing the work.

We recently enabled automated reporting submissions for a statewide database for educators—reducing manual aggregation and improving consistency.

Embedding decision support into workflows helps systems focus on outcomes—not re-entry.

08/06/2026

Looking for a career that combines purpose, collaboration, and public service? We've just posted new opportunities that create lasting, positive outcomes for Tennesseans.

Data Scientist:
https://tinyurl.com/mpbnf2xt

Regional TCSEPP Coordinator:
https://tinyurl.com/yns5e35s