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LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 18, 2026) — Army-University of Kentucky (UK) Master of Social Work Program (MSW) students and faculty were recently recognized at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Graduate School Research & Education Symposium (GSRES) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, highlighting the program’s contributions to military social work scholarship, education and practice.
The Army-UK MSW Program was well represented during this year’s symposium, with 11 poster presentations, including 10 student presentations and one faculty presentation. The annual event brings together graduate students, faculty and academic leaders to share research, strengthen teaching and learning, and advance scholarship with relevance to military communities and society.
Among this year’s honorees was 1LT Kevin Kwon, who received the student Impact Award for his research, “Trauma Bonding: The Relationship of Shared Trauma and Unit Cohesion.” The award recognizes graduate student research with strong potential to create notable impact for the military force and society.
Kwon was also invited to publish his work in Army scholarship journals, including the Pulse of Army Medicine and the Borden Institute’s Medical Journal.
His research examines the relationship between shared trauma and unit cohesion, a topic with direct relevance to military social work, behavioral health and the systems of support that serve military-connected individuals, families, and communities.
Dexter Freeman, DSW, associate professor, was also recognized during the symposium as Faculty Member of the Year for the Army-UK MSW Program. The honor acknowledges Freeman’s leadership, service and commitment to students and the social work profession specifically within military contexts.
The recognition comes as the Army-UK MSW Program continues to prepare military social workers for advanced practice, leadership and service. Through the partnership between the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) and the U.S. Army, students receive rigorous graduate social work education designed to support the complex needs of service members, veterans, families and military communities.
CoSW faculty and staff also traveled to Fort Sam Houston to support this year’s symposium. Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty advancement, presented to faculty on shifting from subject matter experts to immersive experience designers and facilitators. Her presentation focused on practical strategies for creating interactive learning environments and encouraged faculty to engage in the Scholar-Educator Model by investigating and sharing their teaching experiences.
Rebecca Meeks, director of admissions at CoSW, supported the program through student engagement, sharing UK resources and connecting with students and faculty during the event.
The College’s presence at GSRES reflects its ongoing commitment to the Army-UK MSW Program and to supporting scholarship, teaching excellence and student success across learning environments. For program leaders, this year’s symposium demonstrated the strength of the Army-UK MSW community and the impact of student and faculty scholarship.
“This year’s event was a huge success, and the Army-UK MSW Program was well represented,” Maj. Kenneth R. Harris III., Ph.D., said, executive officer of the Army-UK MSW program and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky. “We are thankful for the leadership, commitment and service of our students, faculty and UK teammates who continue to support the program and the profession.”