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Medical, pharmacy, and social work students collaborating on clinical care for UKnow.

Applications open for Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Applications are now open for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program, an opportunity designed to prepare undergraduate students to help address critical behavioral health workforce needs across Kentucky.

Students interested in the program can apply through 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20 with additional information available on the program’s website.

Created in partnership with the Kentucky Center on Addiction Studies and Research, the fully online training experience provides foundational knowledge, applied skills and state-recognized preparation for students interested in supporting individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders.

Completion of the associated coursework may support eligibility to pursue Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Associate I (CADCA I) recognition, a state-awarded designation that represents an important early step toward professional practice in addiction-focused behavioral health roles in Kentucky.

The opportunity is particularly relevant for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW), but may also be available to qualified undergraduate students from other majors whose academic preparation aligns with course expectations.

Through targeted coursework and applied preparation, students build foundational knowledge of substance use disorders, treatment models and recovery support; practical skills in client engagement, assessment and community resource coordination; and workforce readiness through preparation for state-recognized certification.

The program is designed to reduce barriers to entering a field where trained professionals are urgently needed, particularly in rural and underserved Kentucky communities. While students are responsible for tuition associated with the coursework, additional certification fees are fully covered.

Building skills for the workforce

The latest application cycle builds on the program’s early success. In Fall 2025, 15 students in the inaugural cohort earned their CADCA I certification, followed by another 15 students enrolled in the Spring 2026 cohort.

Among the program’s first participants was 2025 BASW graduate Ta’Niya Rucker, who completed the training before graduation. Rucker said the experience helped her prepare for the CADCA I exam and “gave me more confidence moving in the direction I want to go.”

BASW student Jadyn Gevedon also completed the program and earned her CADCA I certification. Gevedon plans to pursue a career in child welfare and said the skills she developed in understanding substance use and engaging with others will continue to inform her work.

“I will carry this knowledge with me throughout every path I pursue,” Gevedon said.

For students, the training offers an opportunity to build specialized expertise while still completing their undergraduate education and begin connecting classroom learning with the needs of Kentucky’s behavioral health and recovery workforce.

How to apply

Applications for the next cohort are open Sept. 7-20, 2026.

  • Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20
  • Who can apply: Undergraduate students
  • Format: Fully online
  • Apply: Complete the 2026 Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program application

Students interested in behavioral health, substance use counseling, recovery services, health care or other community-based careers are encouraged to apply.

The CADCA I is awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not by the University of Kentucky. It is not a University of Kentucky-awarded credential, certificate, micro-credential or badge, and no credential will be recorded on the academic transcript. Only completed course credits will appear on official University of Kentucky transcripts.

Megan Trafford pictured

Criminal Justice lecturer Megan Trafford awarded for research on prison programming and reintegration

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2026) — Megan Trafford, MS, lecturer in criminal justice in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), has been selected to receive the Southern Criminal Justice Association (SCJA) Student and Untenured Faculty Travel Award in recognition of her research examining the experiences of incarcerated women participating in the Horizon Prison Initiative.

The competitive award will support Trafford’s participation in the 2026 SCJA Annual Conference, held Sept. 14-18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year’s conference brings together criminal justice scholars, practitioners and students to share research and examine emerging issues across the field.

Trafford’s recognition comes as the College expands its own presence within the criminal justice community. Across nine conference sessions and events, CoSW faculty and scholars will present research, chair panels and participate in interdisciplinary discussions exploring issues ranging from artificial intelligence and online harms to incarceration and reentry, substance use, juvenile justice, community-engaged research and cultural narratives surrounding crime and masculinity. 

Trafford is collaborating with Sarah Lazzari, Ph.D., of the Oregon Department of Corrections, on a study titled “‘It makes me feel more comfortable going back to society’: Insights from participants of the Horizon Prison Initiative.”

Their work examines the Horizon Prison Initiative (HPI), a nonprofit correctional program that has served incarcerated individuals for more than 20 years through education, training and mentorship. Grounded in a strengths-based approach, the program emphasizes personal agency, skill development, social connection and community engagement as participants prepare for life following incarceration.

The research comes at a time when women represent a rapidly changing segment of the incarcerated population in the United States. Between 1980 and 2021, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 500%, according to research compiled by The Sentencing Project.

Women also often enter and experience the criminal justice system differently than men. Research has consistently identified high rates of childhood trauma, victimization, substance use and family instability among justice-involved women. At the same time, much of the correctional and reentry programming historically used in the United States has been developed around the experiences of incarcerated men.

Those differences make research focused specifically on women and on how they experience programs intended to support rehabilitation and reintegration particularly important.

“These women are more than just statistics – they are people with their own rich histories, relationships, and experiences that shape how they enter and move through the criminal legal system,” said Trafford. “If we want to understand incarceration as a social problem, and effectively address rehabilitation, reentry, and recidivism, we cannot continue to treat the experiences of women as secondary to those of men.”

Trafford and Lazzari’s study is among the first to evaluate HPI’s impact and focuses on 132 residents of a women’s prison in Ohio.

Participants completed surveys that included the Measure of Criminogenic Thinking Styles, an assessment designed to examine thinking patterns associated with criminal behavior. According to the researchers, the measure had not previously been applied to a population of incarcerated women.

Participants also took part in focus groups exploring their experiences within Horizon, allowing the research team to examine not only measurable outcomes, but how women themselves understood the program and its role in their lives.

Preliminary qualitative findings identified themes of personal fulfillment, encouragement, social support, and hope for the future. Participants also described challenges involving power dynamics within HPI’s program households, providing a more complex picture of both the benefits and limitations participants experienced.

The paper’s title — “‘It makes me feel more comfortable going back to society’” — draws directly from a participant’s description of that experience and reflects the study’s emphasis on elevating the perspectives of incarcerated women.

Trafford and Lazzari are continuing their final qualitative analysis and development of the manuscript. Their work contributes to a growing body of research examining strengths-based correctional programming and how interventions can better support rehabilitation, community connection, and successful reintegration following incarceration.

The SCJA travel award recognizes Trafford’s contributions to that work while providing an opportunity to share the research with criminal justice scholars and practitioners from across the country.

Trafford joined the UK College of Social Work in 2025 and teaches within the College’s criminal justice programs. Her research interests include human rights, victimization, gendered and sexual violence, technology-facilitated harms, and forensic psychology. She is also completing her Ph.D. in criminal justice at the University of New Haven.

Conference Attendees

UK Criminal Justice brings growing scholarly presence to 2026 SCJA conference

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 01, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) Criminal Justice programs will bring a significant faculty and research presence to the 2026 Southern Criminal Justice Association (SCJA) Annual Conference as a conference partner. 

Held Sept. 14-18 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the SCJA annual conference brings together criminal justice scholars, educators, practitioners and students from across the region to exchange research, explore emerging challenges and strengthen connections across the discipline. 

This year’s theme, “Justice in Transition: Innovation, Equity, and Community,” reflects a focus on the evolving systems, policies and practices shaping criminal justice – conversations that faculty will contribute to throughout the week. 

Across nine conference sessions and events, CoSW faculty and scholars will present research, chair panels and participate in interdisciplinary discussions exploring issues ranging from artificial intelligence and online harms to incarceration and reentry, substance use, juvenile justice, community-engaged research and cultural narratives surrounding crime and masculinity. 

For UK, that presence comes during a period of significant growth in criminal justice education, research and faculty expertise. CoSW launched UK’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and fully online Master of Science in Criminal Justice in Fall of 2023. The programs have since expanded student pathways through immersive education and specialized certificates, including an undergraduate certificate in victimology and an upcoming criminal investigations certificate launching Spring of 2027. 

The College has also built a growing cohort of criminal justice scholars and educators whose expertise spans policing, investigations and forensic science, corrections and reentry, juvenile justice, victimization, cybercrime and online harms, mental health and the criminal legal system, substance use, gambling and community safety. Together, that growth has expanded CoSW’s capacity for instruction, research and student mentorship while strengthening UK’s presence in the broader criminal justice discipline. 

That breadth will be reflected throughout the SCJA program. 

Tom Mowen, Ph.D., will present research examining the use of twin studies in criminology, while Paul Bleakley, Ph.D., will present on an artificial intelligence image-based abuse scandal and chair a conference panel focused on hate crime. 

Glenn Sterner, Ph.D., will present research on the development of an early warning system for substance use issues. 

UK will have an especially strong presence in conversations surrounding youth justice. Nicole McKenna, Ph.D., will chair a panel examining family structure, institutional experiences, resilience and professional preparation in juvenile justice. The session will include research from Vitoria De Francisco Lopes, M.CJ., examining single-parent households and juvenile justice involvement; Jackie Duron, Ph.D., and McKenna examining disciplinary infractions in juvenile confinement facilities; and Duron and McKenna exploring a multisystemic approach to understanding justice-involved youth. McKenna will also discuss collaborative and participatory teaching approaches through a University of Kentucky case study. 

McKenna will later join Stephanie Quiring, Ph.D., and Megan Trafford, MS, for a roundtable examining the opportunities and challenges associated with community-engaged and participatory research across disciplinary boundaries. 

Victoria Collins, Ph.D., executive director and chair of UK Criminal Justice programs, and Stephanie Quiring, Ph.D. will also present research examining representations of rural fighting matches and Appalachian stereotypes of masculinity. 

“Criminal justice at UK has grown quickly, but our focus has always been on building something that is both academically rigorous and responsive to where the discipline is going,” Collins said. “Our faculty bring an incredible range of research and professional expertise to that work. SCJA gives us an opportunity not only to share that scholarship, but to contribute to important conversations across the discipline and introduce more students, scholars and criminal justice professionals to what we are building here at Kentucky.” 

Among UK’s presenters is Megan Trafford, a lecturer in criminal justice who was selected to receive the SCJA Student and Untenured Faculty Travel Award for her research with Sarah Lazzari, Ph.D., of the Oregon Department of Corrections. 

Trafford will present findings from their research examining the experiences of incarcerated women participating in the Horizon Prison Initiative. Her presentation, “‘It Makes Me Feel More Comfortable Going Back to Society’: Insights from Horizon Prison Initiative Participants,” explores how participants describe the program’s role in personal growth, social support, hope and preparation for returning to their communities. 

“Building strong academic programs is only one part of the work,” Collins said. “We also want our faculty and students engaged in the broader discipline through sharing research, learning from others and helping shape conversations about where criminal justice scholarship and practice go next.” 

The CoSW’s participation in SCJA builds on a growing national and international presence for its criminal justice faculty, who regularly share scholarship at professional conferences and collaborate with researchers, educators, practitioners and community partners on issues affecting crime, justice and public safety. 

Dr. Tarkington Newman teaching

Student outcomes reflect strength of UK College of Social Work’s growing programs

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 28, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is experiencing one of the most significant periods of growth in its history, and new student learning outcomes show that academic achievement is keeping pace with that expansion.

Since 2019, enrollment has increased by nearly 400%. During that time, the college expanded its academic portfolio to include criminal justice, welcomed more than 50 new faculty members and celebrated more than 850 graduates in May 2026, the largest graduating class in college history.

The college’s most recent program assessments offer another measure of that momentum. Across its Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW), Master of Social Work (MSW) and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs, students substantially exceeded established benchmarks for competency and expertise.

BASW students were assessed across nine competencies established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), including ethical and professional behavior, human rights and justice, aspects of belongingness, research, policy, engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation with individuals, families, organizations and communities. Aggregate outcomes ranged from 90.33% to 97.64%, well above the program’s 70% achievement benchmark.

Those results were consistent across both online and on-campus students and reflect an applied approach to learning in which students demonstrate competency through assignments such as family assessments, research proposals, policy analyses, ethical decision-making exercises and intervention activities.

Graduate students posted similarly strong results. Across the MSW program’s nine generalist practice competencies, aggregate achievement ranged from 95.89% to 99.23%. Advanced generalist outcomes ranged from 92.5% to 95.94%, again exceeding the program’s benchmark across every measure.

The results were strong across the college’s hybrid, online and Army MSW options. Army students achieved 100% outcomes in seven of nine generalist competencies.

That preparation extends beyond the classroom. In 2026, CoSW supported the largest practicum cohort in its history through a national network of more than 3,500 agency partners, giving students opportunities to apply research, policy, cultural humility and evidence-based interventions in professional settings.

At the doctoral level, students in UK’s fully online DSW program demonstrated equally strong achievement. Across core expertise areas of focus including administrative leadership, clinical social work, military behavioral health and social work education, outcomes ranged from 96.63% to 97.83% in students’ ability to disseminate practice-relevant, research-informed knowledge. Leadership outcomes ranged from 95.83% to 100%.

The DSW program also recently earned Quality Matters Standards for Higher Education Certification for its Core Plus curriculum and all five concentrations following a research-based peer review of course design, learning objectives, assessments, engagement and accessibility.

“The most exciting part of these results is that they allow us to see growth and quality happening together,” said Lindsey Muñoz, assistant dean of pedagogical possibilities. “As we expand access to our programs and welcome more students, we are continually examining whether they are receiving rigorous, meaningful learning experiences that prepare them to think critically, apply knowledge and lead in their professions. These outcomes give us strong evidence that they are.”

Together, the numbers tell a larger story about the college’s trajectory: substantially more students are gaining access to CoSW programs while continuing to demonstrate high levels of academic achievement.

As the college enters its next phase of growth, continued assessment will help ensure that expanded access remains paired with rigorous instruction, meaningful experiential learning and strong preparation for the professions and communities its graduates will serve.

Social work student presents during the KASSW 2024 conference at William T. Library

UK College of Social Work heads to Louisville for KASSW conference and community event 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will join school social workers and professionals from across the Commonwealth at the 2026 Kentucky Association of School Social Workers (KASSW) Annual Conference, Sept. 17-18 in Louisville. 

Held at the University of Louisville University Club, the annual conference brings together professionals working to support students, families and school communities throughout Kentucky. 

CoSW will participate as a Premier-level conference partner, with faculty and staff available throughout the event to connect with attendees and share information about the College’s academic programs and opportunities, including the Master of Social Work, School Social Work Certificate and Doctor of Social Work programs. 

While in Louisville, the College of Social Work Alumni Association (SWAA) is also inviting students, alumni, faculty, staff and other members of the CoSW community to join together for an evening of connection and conversation. 

The CoSW Alumni and Community Event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Five Iron Golf, 104 S. Fourth St., Louisville. 

Whether attending the KASSW conference or simply living and working in the Louisville area, members of the CoSW community are encouraged to attend, reconnect with the CoSW and meet fellow students, alumni and colleagues. 

Registration for the community event is available through the CoSW RSVP form. 

Four CoSW students smile together during K-Week Orientation

UK College of Social Work welcomes new students during K Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2026) — As the University of Kentucky welcomes Wildcats to campus for K Week, the College of Social Work (CoSW) brought together incoming first-year and transfer students for a College-specific introduction to their new academic community. 

Students pursuing social work and criminal justice gathered in the Jacobs Science Building for an orientation focused on building connections, navigating college life and introducing the people and resources available to support them throughout their time at UK. 

Kayla Powell, Ph.D., director of student engagement and experience (SEE), led the event, which included remarks from College leadership, academic success guidance and conversations with current student ambassadors. 

Dean Justin “Jay” Miller, Ph.D., encouraged students to remain connected to the purpose that brought them to UK. 

“You are here for a reason. Everyone has a story for how they got here,” Miller said. “And those stories matter to us.” 

Miller left students with three messages he encouraged them to remember throughout their College experience: “You are seen. You are supported. You are sustained.” 

Powell built on that message by sharing strategies for beginning the semester successfully, including managing time, setting priorities, limiting distractions, using academic resources, and planning ahead. 

For Powell, the central message extended beyond academic preparation. 

“One of the main things I hope students took away was that they have a really unique amount of support,” Powell said. “These are very important and interesting disciplines, and they’ll learn great things in class. But above all else, they will experience the incredible support of our staff and faculty.” 

Current CoSW student ambassadors then joined the conversation, offering students a peer perspective on making friends, getting involved, attending College events, developing study habits and adjusting to university life. 

One ambassador reflected on the support she has received from college faculty and advisors, noting that their guidance has extended beyond academics. 

“Even when I had non-school questions, they always helped me with great advice,” she said. 

Other ambassadors echoed that experience, describing faculty members who remained sources of support even after a class ended. 

“There is a stereotype at a big university that your faculty aren’t going to remember you,” one ambassador said. “That just isn’t true at CoSW. They’re so helpful and welcoming. Even after you take their classes, faculty are still there for you.” 

Following the College-wide session, students continued the day in smaller ambassador groups and major-specific sessions, giving them additional opportunities to meet classmates, ask questions and begin building relationships within their academic programs. 

For Powell and the College, those early connections are an important part of helping students begin to see the College of Social Work as more than the place where they attend class. 

The goal is for new students to begin their first semester knowing they have a community invested in their success, and people ready to support them along the way. 

For any students who were not able to attend and would like to connect with SEE, they can reach out to coswexperience@uky.edu. 

Group photo of Stakeholder Alumni Group at the HLAA Annual Conference

The College of Social Work brings alumni, students and friends together across the country  

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work is taking its community on the road this fall, creating new opportunities for alumni, students and friends of the college to connect in cities across the country. 

From Louisville to San Diego, Las Vegas, Atlanta and San Antonio, the College will host a series of networking events and alumni gatherings alongside major professional conferences and College activities. 

The goal is simple: to make the College of Social Work community feel a little closer, no matter where its members live, work or study. 

CoSW is going places. Where will we see you? 

With graduates and online students located throughout Kentucky and across the country, the College’s community extends well beyond Lexington. The fall event series is designed to create more opportunities for those members to meet one another, reconnect with the College and strengthen professional relationships in their own regions. 

Current students are invited to attend as well, giving them an opportunity to connect with alumni and begin building professional networks before graduation. 

Guests do not need to be registered for or attending the associated conferences to participate in the College’s social and networking events. Friends and family are also welcome at designated gatherings. 

Upcoming stops include: 

  • Louisville, Kentucky | Sept. 17 
    Kentucky Association for School Social Work Conference 
     
  • San Diego, California | Sept. 19 
    Council for Opportunity in Educational Annual Conference 
     
  • Las Vegas, Nevada | Sept. 24 
    Annual Social Work in Sports Symposium 
     
  • Atlanta, Georgia | Oct. 24 
    Council on Social Work Educational Annual Conference 
     
  • San Antonio, Texas | Nov. 13 
    Fort Sam Houston 

Each gathering will offer opportunities to meet fellow Wildcats, reconnect with former classmates and colleagues, build new professional relationships and learn more about what is happening across the College. Attendees will also have the opportunity to pick up exclusive College of Social Work merchandise. 

For a College with an increasingly national reach, these events are also an opportunity to redefine what it means to stay connected after graduation. Alumni may leave Lexington, but they remain part of a growing network of social workers, criminal justice professionals, researchers, educators and community leaders across the country. 

For current online students, that network may already be closer than they realize. 

Whether you are an alumnus reconnecting with the College, a current student hoping to meet professionals in your area or simply a friend of CoSW, the College invites you to find the stop nearest you and join the community. 

Wherever you are, there may be another Wildcat nearby. Where will we see you this fall? 

RSVP for an upcoming event by clicking here.

Questions? Reach out to Summer Copley-Bryant, alumni engagement manager at S.Bryant@uky.edu.  

Image of someone working on their laptop

Doctorate of Social Work program earns QM Quality Assurance certification for online excellence 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 29, 2026) — The UK College of Social Work’s online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program has earned the QM Quality Assurance certification from Quality Matters, a nationally recognized leader in quality assurance for online and innovative digital learning environments, further strengthening a program that has been advancing social work education since its launch. 

Originally developed in response to a growing national shortage of social workers, the DSW program was launched to expand access to advanced education for working professionals while preparing leaders equipped to address complex social challenges. Since its inception, the program has played a key role in shaping a new generation of practitioner-scholars across the nation. 

Quality Matters is a leading global nonprofit organization that provides a research-based framework for evaluating and improving the design of online and hybrid courses. Through faculty-centered peer review and established quality standards, QM helps institutions create digital learning experiences that are clear, accessible and effective. 

The QM Quality Assurance certification is awarded following a rigorous review of course design, including the alignment of learning objectives, assessment strategies, instructional materials, learner engagement and accessibility. 

The certification applies to all courses in the program’s Core Plus curriculum and all five concentrations: clinical practice, military behavioral health, social work education, sport social work and administrative leadership. 

For UK’s DSW program, this recognition affirms that the curriculum is intentionally designed to support student success in a fully online environment while meeting nationally recognized standards for excellence. 

“Earning the QM Quality Assurance certification reflects the intentional design and rigor behind our DSW program,” said Laura Escobar-Ratliff, DSW, clinical associate professor and DSW program director. “It ensures that our students are not only receiving a flexible online education, but one that meets the highest standards for engagement, accessibility and academic excellence.” 

Designed with working professionals in mind, the DSW program offers a flexible, fully online pathway that can be completed in as little as two years, allowing students to advance their education while remaining engaged in their careers and communities. 

The curriculum emphasizes applied research, leadership and real-world problem solving, allowing students to build advanced competencies while continuing their professional practice. The program culminates in a capstone project that translates into actionable solutions for complex challenges. This work is showcased annually through the Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars, a multi-day online event that invites social workers, students and community professionals to engage with doctoral candidates’ research and earn free continuing education credits. 

At its core, the DSW program develops practitioner-scholars who apply knowledge to improve systems and outcomes. Students can choose from five concentrations: clinical practice, administration, military behavioral health, social work education and sport social work. 

The Quality Matters certification reinforces the strength of the program’s academic design while reflecting the college’s ongoing commitment to accessible, high-quality education.  

As the demand for skilled social work leaders continues to grow, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work is preparing graduates who are equipped to lead with confidence and create lasting change. 

Portrait of Keith Watts in black suit with blue tie

UK social work researcher Keith Watts receives national cancer research award 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2026) — Keith J. Watts, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), has been selected to receive a Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program award from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

Kentucky ranks first in the nation for both cancer incidence and cancer mortality, with the heaviest burdens falling on state’s Appalachian counties. 

The NIH Loan Repayment Programs are designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals in biomedical and biobehavioral research careers. The Health Disparities Research program supports researchers working to better understand and address unequal health outcomes among populations that have historically experienced barriers to research, prevention and care. 

Over the next two years, Watts will advance his project, “A Multi-Pillar Program to Investigate the Bio-Behavioral Mechanisms of Cancer Disparities.” 

“For me, this award is nothing short of a blessing,” Watts said. “It is life-transforming support that affirms the importance of this work and gives me greater freedom to pursue it fully. I am deeply grateful to my mentors and colleagues at UK, especially Dr. Justin Xavier Moore, who will serve as my designated mentor for this project.” 

Watts’ scholarship examines how chronic stress and discrimination shape long-term health, and how belonging to a supportive community can protect against those effects, including cancer risk and prevention. 

The new project will expand on that scholarship by examining the biological and behavioral mechanisms that link those experiences to cancer outcomes. The award will support work drawing on national cohort data and an ongoing annual statewide community health survey Watts helped design. 

Watts’ selection reflects both the national significance of his research and the interdisciplinary environment available to researchers at UK. In addition to his role in the CoSW, Watts is a core faculty member in the Center for Health, Engagement and Transformation, a member of the NCI-designated UK Markey Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program, a 2025-26 fellow in Markey’s LAUNCH (Leaders Advancing UNity and Cancer Health) Leadership Academy and an affiliate faculty member in African American and Africana Studies. 

These connections allow Watts to bring a social work perspective into collaborative cancer research while drawing on expertise in public health, medicine, behavioral science and community engagement. 

His recent collaborative research has examined the relationship between identity, cumulative stress and cancer mortality. In a study co-authored with Moore — an associate professor in UK College of Medicine, serving as assistant director of Population Science, and assistant director of Community Impact at Markey — and other researchers, the team analyzed nationally representative health data to examine cancer mortality among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults experiencing high allostatic load, the cumulative physiological “wear and tear” of chronic stress. 

The study, published in March in Cancer Causes & Control, analyzing 12,470 U.S. adults found that sexual minority adults with high allostatic load had nearly three times the risk of dying from cancer as heterosexual adults with low allostatic load, even after accounting for race and ethnicity, education, gender and marital status. Notably, person-level factors (income, poor self-reported health, frequent health care visits, and having seen a mental health provider) each accounted for a small share of this gap. The findings underscore the importance of looking beyond individual behaviors to understand how social and structural conditions can shape long-term health outcomes. 

A separate study that Watts co-authored in JAMA Network Open found a similar pattern along lines of education. Analyzing data on more than 20,000 U.S. men, the team reported that men with high allostatic load who had not completed high school were about 1.7 times likely to die of cancer than men with a college degree and low allostatic load, after accounting for age, income, smoking and prior health conditions. Before those adjustments, they were nearly five times as likely. 

That connection carries particular weight in Kentucky, where 40 of the state’s 120 counties have experienced persistent poverty for decades and low educational attainment is among the factors researchers link to the state’s cancer burden. Using collaborative and community-engaged research methods, Watts seeks to translate research findings into interventions, policies and systems that better respond to the experiences of the communities they are intended to serve. 

The Loan Repayment Program award represents a significant investment in Watts’ continued development as a cancer disparities researcher. By reducing the burden of educational debt in exchange for a sustained research commitment, the program allows researchers to dedicate more time and attention to work addressing pressing national health challenges. 

For Watts, the award also affirms a research agenda centered on ensuring the benefits of cancer research, prevention and care reach communities that have not always experienced them equitably. 

Through his project, mentorship and partnerships that cross both disciplinary and institutional lines, Watts will continue investigating the factors that drive unequal cancer outcomes and identifying opportunities to build more responsive and equitable systems of care. 

Aubrey Jones smiling on campus

UK social work researcher Aubrey Jones receives national health research award 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2026) — Aubrey Jones, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), has been selected to receive a Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. 

The NIH Loan Repayment Programs are designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals in biomedical and biobehavioral research careers. The Health Disparities Research program specifically supports researchers whose work focuses on reducing disparities in health outcomes and access to care. 

“I am grateful to receive this award and for the opportunity it gives me to continue pursuing research I care deeply about,” Jones said. “This support will allow me to further examine the barriers that affect women and families and to advance community-informed solutions that make meaningful care and support more accessible.” 

Jones’ selection reflects both the national significance of her research and the strength of the research environment at the CoSW. The award will help support her continued development as a scholar while allowing her to dedicate sustained time to her research in behavioral health, maternal health, substance use and expanding access to care in rural communities. 

By investing in researchers like Jones, the program helps institutions such as UK retain faculty whose work is positioned to produce meaningful benefits for communities in Kentucky and beyond. 

Since joining UK in 2021, Jones has pursued community-engaged research examining maternal and postpartum health, substance use recovery, access to mental and physical health care and has emphasized the perspectives of those living in predominately rural communities. 

In June, Jones was promoted to associate professor with tenure in recognition of her contributions to research, teaching, mentorship and service. She has also served as acting director of the college’s doctoral program, supporting curriculum planning, student development and faculty mentorship. 

Her recent maternal health research includes the Gestational Diabetes Aftercare and Postpartum Screening Study. Supported by a UL1 Pilot Award, the interdisciplinary study brings together researchers across social work and healthcare. The team is reviewing postpartum care trends, interviewing patients about barriers to care and gathering health care providers’ perspectives on improving screening and long-term support. 

Jones has also examined how social media and virtual spaces can extend postpartum care to mothers who may otherwise face isolation, particularly in rural communities where distance and transportation can limit access to traditional support groups. Her study, “Creating, Connecting, and Communicating: A Look at Social Support for Postpartum Women,” examines the development, use and impact of an online support group for mothers within three months postpartum. 

Jones’ research has been recognized and supported by several University of Kentucky programs, including UK’s Research Scholars Program. 

She also served as a 2024-25 Community Engaged Research Fellow. In 2025, the Community Action Council recognized Jones as a nominee for its “Unapologetically Woman” series, which honors women whose leadership and service contribute to stronger Kentucky communities. 

Across these projects, Jones’ scholarship centers on a consistent question: How can research help health and behavioral health systems respond more effectively to the people and communities they serve? 

The NIDA Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program award will support Jones as she continues advancing that work and building research partnerships designed to improve health outcomes in Kentucky and beyond.