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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1378-4508

Keywords

Open Access, Global Social Work, School Social Work

Abstract

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Journal for School Social Work (IJSSW), this article provides a reflection on a decade the last decade of breaking barriers and building bridges across practitioners, researchers, communities, and continents and looks forward to our responsibility for the future. This article discusses the benefits and challenges related to Open Access publishing, and addresses how Open Access is a public good—ensuring that practitioners, researchers, students, and policymakers can engage the best evidence regardless of geography, resources, or institutional affiliation. The impact of IJSSW is reviewed, including a summary of accomplishments, most downloaded and cited articles, and goals for the future. The IJSSW community that has grown around the mission to democratize knowledge—authors, reviewers, editors, school social workers, educators, and students—reminds us that scholarship thrives when it is shared. Open access has helped transform international school social work into a more connected, responsive, and globally informed field.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Author Biography

Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa is Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Professor in the School of Social Work at UTRGV. Her current research focus on utilizing Photovoice with the Muslim/Arab American and Latine communities as a tool for advocacy, and a Spencer funded immigrant student equity project. Her most recent book, Chicago Latina Trailblazers, focuses on the testimonios of Latinas in Chicago who were activists in the 60’s and 70’s, making a significant impact in the areas of health, education, policy, and social services. She was also awarded a three-year grant from New York Life Foundation to develop a culturally informed response to grief and loss certificate for school based professional. She has received several honors including the book of the year award for her book, School Social Work: National Perspectives on Practice in the Schools, the best conceptual article published in 2021 in the International Journal of Social Work Education for her de-colonizing and human rights approach to study abroad, the Davlin Diversity Leadership Award in 2022, and the Gary Lee Shaffer award in 2023 for faculty who have made significant contributions to the field of school social work.

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