The IU School of Social Work is proud to announce that current Ph.D. student, Jessica Curd, has been recognized as an Elite 50 student at IUPUI. Jessica is a practicing licensed clinical social worker, an adjunct faculty member at the IU School of Social Work, and is also a volunteer for Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana, a member of the Advisory Council for the Autism Society of Indiana, a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Social Workers – Indiana, and also a member of the IU School of Social Work Doctoral Student Association.

Jessica has dedicated much of her career to hospice social work by working in multiple leadership roles, with her most recent role in our Hospice Executive Leadership Team. Jessica has earned her Advanced Palliative & Hospice Social Work certification and works as a test item reviewer for the certification exam. Currently, Jessica is working on obtaining a grant to fund a partnership between Our Hospice and the IU School of Social Work, focusing on providing advanced care planning information and education to critically ill patients and their families, particularly those in vulnerable and oppressed populations.

“Jessica continues to take the initiative to improve those around her and is also going to be training co-workers on practices to help caregiver mental health,” said Barb Pierce, an associate professor at Indiana University School of Social Work. Each year, IUPUI honors 50 graduate and professional students who demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom in areas such as campus leadership, scholarly work, and community engagement. Jessica was honored with the award at the virtual Elite 50 awards ceremony on April 6.