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Group photo of Stakeholder Alumni Group at the HLAA Annual Conference

CoSW heads to Las Vegas, strengthening connections through sport social work 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sep 17, 2026) — Students, alumni and friends of the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will have an opportunity to connect in Las Vegas this month as the College joins sport social work professionals from across the country for the 12th Annual Social Work in Sports Symposium. 

Members of the CoSW community are encouraged to join us on September 24 for a family-friendly networking event and alumni happy hour at The Arcade at Caesars Palace. Connect with fellow alumni, online students, friends and members of the CoSW.  

The gathering coincides with the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports’ Annual Social Work in Sports Symposium, held Sept. 23-25 on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vagas. This year’s theme, “Practice Makes Progress,” will bring together practitioners, researchers, educators and students to explore social work’s growing role across athletics, including clinical practice, research, policy and community engagement. 

For CoSW, the symposium also reflects a longstanding relationship with ASWIS and the College’s growing leadership in sport social work. 

Matt Moore, Ph.D., MSW, CoSW associate dean of academic and student affairs, currently serves as president of ASWIS. Moore is also a co-founder of the organization, founder and editor of the Sport Social Work Journal and co-director of the CoSW’s International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health. 

Those connections have helped create an expanding network of research, education and professional opportunities at UK. The CoSW is home to the Sport Social Work Collaborative, which brings together CoSW’s Sport Social Work Research Lab, ASWIS and the Sport Social Work Journal to advance research, teaching and outreach focused on the well-being of athletes, coaches and communities. 

That partnership has also helped position CoSW as a leader in the rapidly growing field of sport social work. The college has expanded its curriculum, research and practicum experiences while creating new pathways for students to learn from and connect with professionals across the field. CoSW now offers a first-of-its-kind sport social work concentration within its Doctor of Social Work program, a continuing education certificate in sport social work and a new graduate certificate in the field — advancing a growing portfolio of programs designed to prepare social workers for practice in athletic and sport-based settings. 

The Las Vegas gathering offers another opportunity to bring those communities together — connecting current students with alumni and professionals while strengthening relationships that extend well beyond the symposium. 

The CoSW Alumni & Friends Event will take place Sept. 24 at the Arcade at Caesars Palace from 6-8pm. The event is free and open to CoSW students, alumni and friends, regardless of whether they are attending the ASWIS symposium. 

Register for the CoSW Alumni & Friends Event: 
Register here. 

UK College of Social Work opens applications for Spring 2027 FUSE undergraduate research program 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2026) — Undergraduate students at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will have a new opportunity this spring to work alongside faculty researchers while developing skills that will prepare them for graduate education and careers. 

Applications are now open for Spring 2027 Faculty and Undergraduate Scholarship and Engagement (FUSE) research assistantships. The program connects undergraduate students with CoSW faculty mentors for a semester of hands-on research experience focused on applying classroom knowledge to real-world questions. 

Open to students in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) and Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BA/BSCJ) programs, FUSE is designed to make faculty-mentored research more accessible to undergraduate students studying both on campus and fully online. 

“Research assistantships gives students an opportunity to move from learning about an issue to asking their own questions about it, examining evidence and considering how that evidence can shape practice, policy and communities,” said Heather L. McCauley, Sc.D., M.S., associate dean for research and associate professor in the CoSW. “FUSE gives our undergraduate students a chance to experience that process alongside faculty mentors while building skills and relationships that can continue to serve them well beyond their time at UK.” 

FUSE reflects a broader period of significant research growth within the CoSW. In recent years, the College has expanded its research portfolio through new faculty-led laboratories and research initiatives, interdisciplinary partnerships and externally funded projects addressing complex social, behavioral and health challenges in Kentucky and beyond. 

As that portfolio has grown, students have become increasingly integrated into the College’s research enterprise. Undergraduate and graduate students contribute to faculty scholarship through data collection and analysis, literature reviews, community-engaged research, dissemination and other aspects of the research process.  

Programs such as FUSE create a more intentional pathway for undergraduate students to participate in that work while strengthening the next generation of researchers and practitioners. 

“Students are not simply observing the research happening around them. They are increasingly contributing to it,” McCauley said. “Creating structured opportunities for students to participate in faculty scholarship strengthens their education, prepares them for graduate school, and expands the capacity and reach of the work happening across our College.” 

Just as importantly, the program creates opportunities for sustained faculty mentorship. 

“Serving as a FUSE faculty mentor gave me the opportunity to build a meaningful connection with my mentee and offer a more personal look at what the research process actually involves,” said Rebecca Bossetti, Ph.D., assistant professor. “It was rewarding to support their development while also strengthening my own approach to mentorship. That exchange is one of the most valuable parts of the experience.” 

FUSE also connects participants with the broader undergraduate research community at UK. At the conclusion of the experience, students will have the opportunity to present their work at the university’s Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars. 

Applications open today, Monday, Sept. 14, and must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 2. 

Apply for FUSE 

Students interested in learning more about the program can attend a virtual FUSE information session from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. 

Register for the FUSE info session here. 

For questions about FUSE or undergraduate research opportunities in the College of Social Work, contact Heather McCauley at heather.mccauley@uky.edu. 

Student looking through archives at UKs King Library

UK launches online graduate certificate in social work-informed library services 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sep 11, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), in partnership with the School of Information Science in the College of Communication and Information, is launching a new graduate certificate designed to prepare professionals to address the complex needs emerging within today’s public libraries.

The nine-credit-hour Social Work-Informed Library Services Graduate Certificate brings together social work knowledge and library science practice. Offered fully online in an asynchronous format, the certificate will prepare students to support patrons experiencing crises, apply trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, strengthen community partnerships and promote the well-being of library patrons and employees.

“Public libraries are increasingly called upon to respond to complex social and behavioral health needs,” said Amanda Brown, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor and director of the Master of Social Work program. “By bringing social work and library science together, this certificate will prepare professionals to respond ethically, strengthen community partnerships and connect patrons with appropriate resources while respecting the distinct role of the library.”

“Public librarians have provided resources to community members without cost and, through reference and referral services, have often connected people to other organizations,” said Brian Real, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Information Science. “Connecting public libraries to social work services is a natural step forward, since people with the greatest needs already trust librarians.”

Their role continues to expand as libraries help address needs involving literacy, digital access, workforce development, civic participation, health and social connection. A national Public Library Association survey found that 84.7% of responding libraries were addressing literacy and educational achievement, 66.6% were addressing digital equity and 62.4% were supporting civic engagement. Nearly all responding libraries — 99% — offered summer reading programs for children, teens or adults. As trusted and accessible community institutions, libraries also regularly serve people experiencing housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use, financial hardship, social isolation and other challenges. Library employees may be asked to recognize crises, de-escalate difficult situations and connect patrons with resources, even when they have not received specialized training in those areas.

Recent research describes public libraries as increasingly encountering patrons in crisis and highlights the importance of collaboration among librarians, social workers, and other community professionals when responding to those situations, according to Dr. Youngok Choi, director of the School of Information Science. The Public Library Association has also developed trauma-informed de-escalation guidance specifically for library employees, reflecting a growing need for practical preparation and support within the profession.

The new UK certificate responds to that need by preparing students to work at the intersection of library service, mental health, and community well-being. The program is designed for graduate students and professionals interested in public library service, including Master of Social Work students, Master of Science in Library Science students, doctoral students and early-career professionals.

The certificate builds on an existing interdisciplinary partnership between the School of Information Science and the College of Social Work. UK faculty from the two units have also collaborated on an Institute of Museum and Library Services-supported initiative to strengthen social services in public libraries and prepare graduate students from both fields to serve communities more effectively. This sustained collaboration has provided a strong foundation for the development of the certificate, which formalizes and extends the partnership by integrating expertise from library and information science and social work to prepare professionals for interdisciplinary practice in public libraries.

Through the certificate, students will develop specialized skills that can strengthen their work in libraries, social service organizations and other community-based settings. Graduates will be prepared to help libraries establish effective referral systems, build partnerships with local organizations, develop inclusive services and respond to patron needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

The certificate will begin accepting students for Spring 2027. To learn more or apply, visit https://online.uky.edu/graduate-certificate/social-work-informed-library-services.  

This project was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Award Number RE-258982-OLS-25.  

UK College of Social Work to celebrate excellence at 2026 Annual Recognition Celebration 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will roll out the red-carpet Oct. 1 for its 2026 Annual Recognition Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring the students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners whose contributions help advance the College and the professions it serves. Building on celebrations in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the annual event brings the CoSW community together to recognize excellence, service and impact across the College. 

Held on the Mezzanine Level of Kroger Field, the black-tie celebration will bring members of the CoSW community together for an evening of recognition, connection and celebration of the people behind the College’s continued growth and impact. 

Throughout the evening, CoSW will recognize excellence in research, teaching, service, leadership, experiential education and alumni achievement, while also celebrating student scholarship recipients, student leaders and retiring members of the College community. 

This year’s celebration will also introduce the Legacy of Impact Award, a new honor recognizing an individual whose sustained commitment, service and advocacy have advanced the mission of the College of Social Work and created meaningful, lasting change. The award honors those who have dedicated their time, talents, leadership and passion to supporting the College, its students and the communities it serves. 

The College will also recognize retiring faculty and staff members Graeme Bicknell, Ray Dowd, Col. Teresa Murray and Missy Segress for their years of service and contributions to CoSW. 

Among the evening’s signature recognitions are the College’s People First, People Always Awards, which celebrate faculty and staff whose work exemplifies excellence across the College’s mission. 

Nominees for the Culture of Research Award are Dr. Lynden Bond, Dr. Paul Bleakley, Dr. Shelby Clark, Dr. Tarkington Newman and Dr. Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett. 

Nominees for the Outstanding Teacher Award are Dr. Alexis Bell, Dr. Ashaad Hipps, Dr. Priscila Llamosa, Dr. Dustin Roberson and Dr. Richard Weaver. 

The PTI of the Year Award nominees are Dr. Tina Atherall, Dr. Deborah Carey, Tziporah Eisenstein, Dr. Amanda Kern, Dr. Michelle Loper, Dr. Karen Moore, Dr. Nathan Popham and Dr. LaShardae Scott. 

Nominees for the Culture of Wellbeing Award are Nick Alley, Emily Houp, Rachel Jewell, Jennifer Lyons, Dr. Nicole McKenna and Bree Williams. 

Steadfast Service Award nominees are Rachael Paris and Leslie Vass. 

Nominees for the Outstanding Staff Award are Rebecca Anderson, Sarah Cleaver, Meagan Lederman, Jennifer Lyons, Paige Noland, Cassie Payne, Dr. Kayla Powell, Rachel Petrey, Esther Tattershall, Sanford Weakley and Melissa Whitaker. 

The Supervisor of the Year Award nominees are Bryan Back, Emily Houp, Dr. Carlyn Kimiecik, Rebecca Meeks, Dr. Lindsey Muñoz, Sheila Rentfrow and Bree Williams. 

Students will also take center stage during the celebration. CoSW will recognize more than 50 scholarship recipients for the 2026-27 academic year, along with members of the 2025-26 Dean’s Student Advisory Council, whose perspectives and leadership help the College foster an inclusive, supportive and forward-thinking learning environment. 

Individual student honors will also recognize achievement across the College’s academic programs and experiential learning opportunities. Awards presented during the evening will include the Army MSW Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, Outstanding Experiential Learning Student Award and Dean’s Outstanding Service Award. 

The celebration will also recognize the continued impact of the College’s alumni community, including members of the 2025-26 College of Social Work Alumni Association (SWAA) Executive Advisory Committee. 

Several SWAA Awards will be presented during the evening, including the Outstanding Experiential Learning Instructor Award, Outstanding Experiential Learning Site Award, SWAA Mentor of the Year, “You Were Built for This” Award, Rising Star Award and Alumni Excellence Award. 

The recipient of the Alumni Excellence Award will also be inducted into the College of Social Work Hall of Fame, recognizing a distinguished career and exceptional contributions to their profession and community. 

From emerging student leaders to longtime members of the CoSW community, the Annual Recognition Celebration reflects the people, partnerships and accomplishments that continue to shape the College’s impact in Kentucky and beyond. 

The 2026 Annual Recognition Celebration will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, on the Mezzanine Level of Kroger Field. Guests are encouraged to embrace the evening’s semi-formal, red-carpet atmosphere as CoSW celebrates another year of achievement, service and impact. 

For any questions regarding the 2026 Annual Recognition Celebration, please reach out to PeopleFirst@uky.edu. 

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.