LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sarah Bennett Holmes was a distinguished dean of women at the University of Kentucky, who tirelessly championed the rights of women throughout her career. On Wednesday, March 26, College of Social Work (CoSW) graduate and current Master of Social Work (MSW) student Olivia Raley will be honored at an awards luncheon in Holmes’ honor, celebrating Raley’s contributions to the university and the Commonwealth.

Raley will receive the 30 Under 30 award, honoring current undergraduates or recent alumni for their hard work and dedication to their community. As a social worker at the Bardstown Police Department, Raley demonstrates that commitment to the Commonwealth each and every day.

“To be recognized at the Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards is a huge honor and a reminder of why I do what I do. If you get in the field of social work, it’s not for money, not for the awards, it’s for the people,” Raley said. “Earning this award is a time to highlight the importance of supporting vulnerable and underserved populations.”

The awards luncheon is part of a larger, ongoing mission to support and elevate the roles of women within the university community and beyond. Colleges and units across UK’s campus are encouraged to nominate women in their departments for a variety of awards.  

As the first social worker on the Bardstown police force, Raley is utilizing her extensive education to help the force ensure that people in crisis receive immediate support and connection to essential resources.

Aiding in Raley’s mission is Maverick, her therapy Husky, who has become an integral part of the department’s support system. Maverick’s calming presence and ability to sense stress and trauma exemplify the healing power of animal-assisted therapy.

“The community has been overwhelmingly welcoming since my time with the department, and of course everyone wants to pet Maverick,” Raley said. “I never feel like it’s work. All of us at the department are all on the same team with the same goal, and we all respect each other’s role which has been instrumental.”

Hailing from Jeffersontown, Kentucky, Raley is able to give back to the state that she grew up in, creating a safer, more positive community for future generations. She will graduate with her Master of Social Work this May, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky.

“I’ve found my why early on in life and I’m thankful for that,” Raley said. “Working in this field, you may not be able to save everyone but if you save one person, their story matters. Being able to give back to my home state of Kentucky is something that is so special and I am very grateful.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the world of academia, women in higher education often manage multifaceted expectations, as well as perspectives and challenges not shared by their male colleagues. Rebecca Bosetti, Ph.D., assistant professor at the UK College of Social Work (CoSW), spoke on those challenges through a virtual event with Professors Without Borders.

Professors Without Borders is a non-profit dedicated to improving access to quality education, with the goal to educate, inspire, and empower. Bosetti’s talk, “Your Wellbeing: Dealing with the Grind of Academia”, was included as part of Professors Without Border’s Women in Higher Education Fellowship.

“Being selected to give this talk not only validates the efforts I’ve made in my career as a woman in higher education but has given me the chance to share my experiences, foster solidarity among a phenomenal group of scholars, and uplift and encourage other women to thrive in academia and understand how critical their presence is in academic spaces,” Bosetti said.

Bosetti’s talk was divided into five primary topics, each covering an issue that applies to women in academia.

The first topic, the academic expectations, delved into the typical expectations that come with an academic position, spanning research, teaching, service, and professional development. She also spoke on metrics needed to achieve promotion and tenure, how to read and understand a contract, and determining fair compensation for labor provided.

Reflecting on her own experiences in academia, the next topic covered was normative experiences, sharing insight and the lessons Bosetti has learned along the way.

“One of my favorite things I talked about was a system I developed in my PhD program to help me with writing productivity. I call it Laundry Writing. The concept is simple: I will put a load of laundry into the washing machine and as soon as it starts, I have to write,” Bosetti explained.

“During this time, I don’t worry about spelling, grammar, citations, or flow – it is exclusively a time to get words on the page and help me see my ideas in front of me. Once the washing machine turns off, I put the wet laundry in the dryer, turn it on, and then begin editing. The whole time my laundry is drying, I fix incomplete sentences, reorganize ideas and paragraphs to build a cohesive narrative, insert citations, and engage in wordsmithing.”

This concept took the pressure off the feeling of needing to write a paper perfectly, allowing ideas to flow and then polish those ideas into a paper.

Lessons learned was the next topic covered, as Bosetti focused on critical takeaways that she hoped to pass on to the fellows. These takeaways included things like dealing with failure and rejection, owning your expertise, and how to find the right mentor.

The final two topics covered were on the importance of the things you say yes to, and cultivating a community of empowered women.

“I tried to impress on the fellows how critical this community is because academic work tends to see us as productivity machines instead of whole people,” Bosetti said. “A community sustains you and fosters growth for the whole person so you can effectively do the work you care about.”

Through this fellowship, Bosetti was able to encourage global engagement of female faculty and recognize their invaluable contributions to the world of higher education.

“The most important piece of advice I wanted to impart on the women in this fellowship is the need for solidarity and building a strong support network to encourage and uplift other women in academia,” Bosetti said. “I hope the fellows take away how critical it is for them to be in academia, and how having women with diverse experiences in higher education makes the space more productive, accessible, progressive, and inclusive for everyone.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. – March is National Criminal Justice Month (NCJM) and the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is celebrating and honoring the transformative work of the criminal justice profession.

As part of NCJM, the CoSW partnered with the UK Police Department’s (UKPD) Emergency Management team to host an event for students on incident response and personal preparedness.

Led by Sarah Fink, UKPD’s director of emergency management, and Captain Cory Peralski, the presentation highlighted the impacts of natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies, with additional recommendations for creating a plan to prepare for an emergency and some items to consider in a home emergency kit.

“Events like this are crucial in equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate emergencies, both as future professionals and as individuals,” said Kayla Powell, CoSW Director of Student Experience and Engagement. “By partnering with experts in emergency management, we’re not only reinforcing the importance of preparedness but also highlighting the intersection between social work, criminal justice, and public safety.”

The presentation also covered how to identify hazards in your area, how to make an emergency plan and other opportunities to get involved and learn more about emergency preparedness.

For more information, please visit:

The College of Social Work is offering a full slate of events this March to celebrate National Criminal Justice Month and National Social Work Month. To learn more and get involved, please visit our website.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For 40 years, we have celebrated the profound impact of social workers during National Social Work Month. It’s a field that transforms lives, often without recognition, and extends far beyond traditional boundaries to reach every corner of society. We will continue to honor and celebrate the social workers who embody the values and dedication of this field.

This year, we have the unique opportunity to expand that celebration. March also marks National Criminal Justice Month.

Together, social work and criminal justice embody an unwavering commitment to improving the well-being and safety of individuals and communities. With the launch of our new Criminal Justice programs, we are now more prepared than ever to support YOU—your future, your communities, your families, and your experiences.

Join us this month as we celebrate through events and activities that acknowledge the vital contributions of social workers and criminal justice professionals.

Together, let’s honor their dedication and reaffirm our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.

Throughout the month of March, the CoSW will be inviting faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to celebrate. See below for a list of National Social Work Month and Criminal Justice Month events hosted by the College of Social Work.

You can also follow along on social media by following the CoSW on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Emergency Preparedness Event 

UK Police Department’s Emergency Management Team is presenting on incident response and personal preparedness on March 5th from 5-6:30 p.m. This presentation will highlight the impacts of natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies, with additional recommendations for creating a plan to prepare yourself for an emergency and some items to consider in your home emergency kit. 

The presentation can be attended in-person or virtually. Presentation will be held in-person at The 90, Room 228.  Registration is now closed for this event.

CoSW Pop-up Shop and FREE Continuing Education Opportunities 

This March, CoSW will host a virtual pop-up shop, inviting faculty, staff, students, and alumni to purchase CoSW branded gear for all the year’s upcoming events. The link for the pop-up shop is coming soon. 

In the spirit of lifelong learning, the CoSW will provide one free online continuing education course to its alumni through the Wildcat Network’s private group, accessible by logging in and navigating to the “Events” tab on the group’s page. Non-members can join Wildcat Network at www.wildcatnetwork.com.  

Take Me Out to the Ball Game – CoSW @ KY Proud Park 

Join us for College of Social Work Day on March 23 at 2 PM at Kentucky Proud Park as the UK Baseball team takes on Auburn. Before the game, Dean Jay Miller will throw the first pitch. Plus, there will be an exclusive tailgate area just for CoSW faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The college also invites friends and families to attend the game. 

Tabling at Gatton Student Center and Appreciation Days 

CoSW will organize a tabling event at the Gatton Student Center on March 11 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., providing an interactive platform for the campus community to engage with one another, learn more about the college’s criminal justice and social work programs, and pick up CoSW swag items. 

Additionally, in acknowledgement of appreciation, CoSW is planning a series of Appreciation Events to honor and recognize the invaluable contributions of UK HealthCare social workers and UK Police Department employees.