Shawn Lang (1956-2021) was an HIV activist and community organizer. This project is named in her honor and seeks to continue her social justice work. To learn more about Shawn, Google her name or read this article in POZ magazine.

Undergrad RA: Grace Beyerl is a junior in the undergraduate Social Work program at Southern. She aspires to work with individuals affected by substance abuse, motivated through her own journey in sobriety. She joined SHAWN to gain valuable real-world experience in the field.

Undergrad RA: Nelly Birmingham is a junior in the undergraduate Social Work program at Southern. She is passionately pursuing her goal of becoming a leader in research and policy development aimed at tackling social issues. By joining the SHAWN project, she is deepening her understanding of the complex ways in which incarceration, substance abuse, and trauma intersect—particularly affecting vulnerable communities.

Undergrad RA:

Undergrad RA: Sabrine Yaser is a junior undergraduate student in the Social Work Program at Southern. She wants to work in CT Department of Children in Families in order to help children in need get out of tough situations they may have at home. She joined SHAWN to gain real-world experience of what it is like to work in the field.

Grad Assistant: Samanta Morrison (BSW, ‘24) is an MSW student at SCSU. He is passionate about prison abolition and policy work that challenges criminal legal systems in the US. Samanta identifies as a trans-masculine individual and is an advocate for the transgender community. During summer 2024, he worked on overdose prevention research as a NIDA Summer Research Intern at Ohio State University.

Grad Assistant: Emily Ziemba (BSW, ‘23) is an MSW student at SCSU who began working with SHAWN in 2022 when she was an undergraduate BSW student. In addition to SHAWN, her community-engaged qualitative research experience includes a photovoice project n New Haven, CT and a youth-led inquiry in Denver, CO. In 2023, she was participated in the NIDA Summer Research Internship program.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Smoyer is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Southern CT State University. Her practice experience is with communities impacted by HIV and incarceration. More info at : www.amysmoyer.com

Faculty Collaborator: Dr. D’Angelo is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at SCSU. Her program of research and community organizing practice includes a focus on using community-engaged research methodologies to collaborate with communities for social change.

Community Consultant: Ashley Hampton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with expertise about trauma, trauma-responsive models of care, neuroplasticity, and cognitive development. Ashley has worked at Domus Kids since 2009, and currently serves as the Clinical Director. As a MSW student at SCSU, she conducted research about housing insecurity among formerly incarcerated women.

Community Consultant: Dr. Meyer completed her clinical training in and maintains board certification in Internal Medicine, Addiction Medicine and Infectious Diseases, along with DEA certification to prescribe buprenorphine. Her clinical work has included a weekly HIV clinic at York Correctional Institution for Women, the only carceral facility for women in the state of Connecticut, which informs her investigative work. She serves as a medical consultant and advisor to SHAWN.

Community Consultant: Maribel Oyola, MSW, is a substance use counselor in New Haven, CT. As a graduate student at SCSU, she co-authored a publication in Affilia about women’s housing before and after incarceration.

Community Consultant: Nadine Ruff, BSW, LMSW, is an Intensive Case Manager at APNH in New Haven, CT. Her practice experience includes HIV care and prevention and advocacy for LGBT communities. As a BSW undergraduate at SCSU, Ms. Ruff conducted a photovoice project with transgender women of color, which was published in The Qualitative Report. VIsit her website! www.nadineruff.com

Community Consultant: Monya Saunders is a Senior Community Health Worker & Research Assistant at the SEICHE Center for Health & Justice in Yale University School of Medicine. She is also the Program Manager of HerTime in New Haven, CT. As a SHAWN consultant, Monya supports the team’s recruitment and community outreach efforts.

ALUM: Eve Jones studied at SCSU as an international exchange student from Liverpool, England. She graduated in 2023 with a degree in Sociology. In addition to working as a SHAWN RA (2022-2023), Eve was active in her sorority and advocated for menstruation equity on campus.

ALUM: Kyle is a senior Social Work major at SCSU. He is very passionate about the intersection between Social Work and spirituality. Kyle advocates for LGBTQIA+ community via his queer spirituality group, Monthly Magic, and volunteers with Chapel on The Green to serve the unhoused people. Website: https://www.kylemagri.com/

ALUM: Shoshana Mahon earned her BSW at SCSU in 2024. She worked as a SHAWN Research Assistant form 2022-2024. A campus leader, she also worked as a resident advisor and a SCSU Diversity Peer Educator. Shoshana has a passion for contributing to the creation of a just society for all. She is currently pursuing her MSW at Sacred Heart University.

ALUM: Jenny Malcein (BSW ‘ 24) is a MSW student at SCSU. Their experience includes interning with the CT Dept of Children and Families and working with individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders. As a SHAWN undergraduate RA (2023-2024), they worked to broaden their understanding of the complexities faced by vulnerable populations. Jenny’s goal is to become a LCSW.

ALUM: Mellody is a graduate student at SCSU, pursuing dual master’s degrees in Women’s Studies and Social Work. During their undergraduate career, they worked on SHAWN for two years (2022-2024) organized the SCSU Prism club and served as a New Haven Fellow at City Wide Youth Coalition.

ALUM: Maeve is the graphic designer who created the SHAWN project logo. She graduated from SCSU in 2023 with a major in Graphic Design. She has a passion for all things art related, especially when it involves helping people!

ALUM: Melissa Quintana earned an AA in Human Services at Naugatuck Valley Community College and worked as a SHAWN RA in Summer 2022. From her own life experiences, her social work studies and practice aim to assist those who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.

ALUM: After graduating from Southern Connecticut State University in 2024 with a degree in sociology, Sedona was selected to participate in the NIDA Summer Research Internship program. She is passionate about helping those who struggle with food insecurity. In her free time she likes to spend time with her dog and hike. She worked as a SHAWN RA during her senior year (2023-2024).

Community Consultant: Dr. Sutton is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Montgomery, AL. She collaborated with SHAWN in 2023. Her practice and research experience include a focus on intimate partner violence and its various forms. You can learn more at www.amberdsutton.com