LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) recently joined thousands of educators, researchers and practitioners from across the nation at the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 2026 Annual Conference in Atlanta.
The four-day event, held Oct. 22-25, showcased CoSW’s leadership in research and education, as well as its continued investment in the well-being of social workers and helping professionals. Throughout the conference, CoSW faculty, students, alumni and staff presented original research, facilitated professional development sessions, received national recognition for their contributions to the field and provided self-care opportunities for conference attendees.
“At CSWE, the UK College of Social Work was proud to showcase the work our faculty and students do every day to promote well-being among individuals, families and communities,” said Heather McCauley, Sc.D., associate dean for research. “Having our students present their research alongside established scholars is an important opportunity for them to build professional connections and contribute to conversations shaping the future of social work. You could feel Wildcat energy throughout the exhibit halls, which generated even more excitement for our program.”
CoSW scholars contributed to a variety of presentations addressing critical issues in the field. Topics included positive youth development, implementing resilience-building skills with social work students, ethical integration of social media into social work practice and artificial intelligence (AI) in social work higher education.
Among those recognized for their contributions, Alison Wetmur, DSW, LCSW, visiting lecturer at the College of Social Work, received the 2026 Disability Manuscript Award from CSWE. The national award recognizes outstanding scholarship that advances understanding and inclusion of disability within social work education, research and practice.
Shelita Jackson, DSW, MSW, clinical associate professor and director of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program, was honored as a mentor through the Women’s Council Mentor Recognition Fund. The initiative recognizes the influence of mentors in the lives of CSWE members while supporting the ongoing work of the Women’s Council.
The College of Social Work Self-Care Lab (SCL) hosted its second annual CSWE Self-Care Challenge, an initiative encouraging conference participants to intentionally integrate self-care practices into their professional routines.
More than 200 attendees participated in SCL-sponsored activities, including sunrise yoga and tai chi, chair massages, a sound bath, walking meetups and visits to the Low Sensory Room, a sensory-friendly space offering a break from the fast pace of conference activities. Participants received bracelets to scan at each activity, earning points and moving up a live leaderboard.
Conference attendees Dawn Wilson-Hawkins, Rebecca Moore, Kim DiOrio-Rooney, Kelley Leaf and Autumn Maxwell were named Self-Care Champions.
The conference also included a College-hosted celebration in downtown Atlanta, where faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends reconnected, reflected on shared experiences and celebrated a week of scholarship and collaboration.
Through research presentations, national recognition and opportunities to prioritize well-being, CoSW’s presence at CSWE 2026 highlighted the many ways the College is contributing to the future of social work. As faculty, students, alumni and staff continue to advance the field, the College remains committed to creating meaningful impact in the communities it serves.