Emily Houp, Author at University of Kentucky College of Social Work

Group photo of DSW students in regalia standing with Dr. E-R during 2026 Graduation Commencement

UK College of Social Work DSW program achieves CSWE candidacy status

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 6, 2026) — When the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) launched its online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program in 2020, it did so in response to a growing need.

Across Kentucky and the nation, communities were facing increasingly complex challenges including child abuse and neglect, substance use, mental health concerns, poverty, and workforce shortages across the helping professions. The college designed the DSW program to help meet that moment by preparing advanced social work practitioners to lead in clinical practice, applied research, administrative leadership, and other critical areas of service.

Now, the program has reached another important milestone.

The DSW program has achieved candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. The designation marks a significant step in the program’s progress toward initial accreditation and reflects its continued commitment to quality, rigor, and innovation in doctoral social work education.

“This milestone reflects the intentionality, rigor and innovation that have shaped our program from the beginning,” said Laura Escobar-Ratliff, DSW program director. “Our faculty and staff have worked thoughtfully to build a high-quality online doctoral experience that prepares advanced social work practitioners to lead change in their organizations, communities and fields of practice.”

The DSW program was created with working practitioners in mind. Offered fully online, the program allows students to advance their careers while continuing to serve their communities. Through doctoral-level coursework and applied capstone research, students strengthen their leadership, scholarship, and practice expertise. The program culminates in the Annual Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars, a multi-day event featuring student research and free continuing education opportunities for attendees.

The candidacy designation is the latest in a series of milestones for the program.

In recent years, the college launched the Sport Social Work Concentration within the DSW program – the first programmatic offering of its kind. Designed in response to the growing mental health needs of athletes and athletic communities, the concentration prepares doctoral-level social workers to provide support in athletic environments and to explore the strategic use of sport as a therapeutic and community-building intervention.

The program also earned Quality Matters certification for its core curriculum, as well as its clinical practice, military behavioral health, sport social work and social work education concentrations.

Together, the milestones point to a program that has grown from first-of-its-kind into a nationally distinctive model for advanced social work education.

“When this program launched, we recognized a clear and urgent need: social challenges were becoming more complex, and the profession needed more social workers prepared to lead at the highest levels of practice,” said Jay Miller, dean of CoSW. “The DSW program was built in response to that need. It expands access to advanced social work education, strengthens the workforce and prepares practitioners to improve systems that directly affect people’s lives. Achieving CSWE candidacy status is an important milestone in that work and a reflection of the rigor, innovation and intentionality that have guided this program from the beginning.”

Students admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the 2025-2026 academic year will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation.

For more information about the UK College of Social Work’s Doctor of Social Work program, visit https://online.uky.edu/doctoral/social-work/dsw.

July 6, 2026

Passive Scrolling on Social Media, by Avalan Nuovo.

UK criminal justice faculty member examines public response to victimhood in Sean “Diddy” Combs trial

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 2, 2026) — A new article co-authored by University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) faculty member Paul Bleakley, Ph.D., examines how public conversations about high-profile criminal trials can shape, challenge and contest who is recognized as a victim.

Published in Victims & Offenders, the article, “Who Gets to Be a Victim? Public Responses to Victimhood in Diddy’s Trial,” analyzes public reaction to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ 2025 federal trial. Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges and convicted of prostitution-related offenses, a mixed verdict that sparked widespread public debate online.

Bleakley co-authored the article with Daniel Sailofsky, Ph.D., of the University of Toronto, and Maurice St Matthews, doctoral candidate at the University of New Haven. Together, the research team examined 1,000 high-engagement Instagram comments to better understand how social media users responded to the victims, the defendant and the broader meaning of justice in the case.

Their findings revealed a sharply polarized response.

In many comments, victim status was denied or minimized. Some commenters mocked the victims, questioned their credibility or shifted blame back onto those who made allegations against Combs. Other comments, however, framed the verdict as part of a larger pattern: the criminal legal system’s inability to consistently deliver justice for women, particularly in cases involving power, fame, sexual violence and public scrutiny.

“High-profile trials do not end when the verdict is read,” Bleakley said. “They continue to be argued in public spaces, especially online, where people make sense of guilt, innocence, credibility and harm in real time. What we found is that victimhood itself became contested.”

The article explores how social media can become a cultural battleground in the aftermath of major criminal cases. In the Diddy trial, researchers found that commenters were not only reacting to the evidence or the verdict. They were also debating who deserved sympathy, whose suffering counted and whether the legal system was capable of recognizing certain forms of harm.

The research also identified a smaller but significant set of comments that framed Combs as a victim of racialized persecution. The authors connect this response to the concept of “himpathy,” a term coined by philosopher Kate Manne to describe disproportionate sympathy extended to men accused of misogyny, sexual assault or harassment, often at the expense of their alleged victims.

“In many of the comments we analyzed, victim status was denied and blame was redirected toward the victims, who were often mocked or criticized for their allegations against Combs,” Bleakley said. “At the same time, a large proportion of comments framed the verdict as another example of the criminal legal system’s structural inability to produce justice for women. That polarization shows how high-profile trials can become public battlegrounds over credibility, accountability and whose experiences are recognized as harm.”

For Bleakley, the study contributes to a growing body of research on crime, media and public perception. It also reflects the importance of examining digital spaces as sites where legal narratives are created and contested.

“Social media is not the justice system, but it is one place where public perceptions of justice are formed and contested,” Bleakley said. “In high-profile cases, online reactions can reveal how people understand victims, defendants, credibility and accountability. Those conversations can reinforce harmful myths, but they can also surface deep frustration with systems that many believe fail survivors.”

The article also highlights the role of criminal justice scholarship in helping students and the public better understand the relationship between law, culture and power. As a faculty member in the criminal justice program, Bleakley will teach Cyberdeviance and Cyberviolence, a newly developed course that examines crime and harmful behavior in digital spaces, while helping students study crime and justice through interdisciplinary, evidence-based and human-centered perspectives.

As one of the first criminal justice faculty members to join the CoSW following the launch of its criminal justice programs in fall 2023, Bleakley has played an important role in building the college’s visibility within the field. His scholarship and professional engagement have helped expand CoSW’s presence at major national conferences, including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Society of Criminology.

The article is available online through Victims & Offenders.

July 2, 2026

Online MSW student turns flexibility into impact across borders

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 29, 2026) — When Sarah Ellis moved to Honduras in 2019, she knew she wanted to continue serving communities in meaningful ways. She also knew that, someday, she wanted to earn a graduate degree that would help her do that work with greater knowledge, skill and confidence.

What she did not know was that, just months after her move, the COVID-19 pandemic would intensify many of the needs already facing the community around her.

Ellis, originally from Alabama, was working with Legacy Mission International, a new nonprofit organization in Honduras. As the organization grew, Ellis helped build programs and outreach efforts in response to the needs she was seeing each day.

“The pandemic exacerbated a lot of the social challenges that we were already facing,” Ellis said. “There was so much need, and there were not a lot of established resources. We had to learn how to start with something and move forward.”

Ellis saw that many women in the community were navigating violence, addiction, exploitation, poverty and limited access to support systems. Many also had children at home and few options for childcare or stable income.

In response, Ellis helped establish a Women’s Advocacy Center in 2021. What began as a point of contact for women in crisis grew to include skills workshops, legal advocacy, counseling, education and other forms of support. Workshops such as sewing offered women a way to build skills and pursue financial stability while still caring for their children.

“We realized that if we wanted to address addiction, violence and exploitation, we also had to address basic needs”, Ellis said. “We also knew that connecting local women to each other would decrease isolation, a factor that had reinforced many of the problems we had been seeing. With each season, the center expanded to fit the needs of the women around us.”

The experience gave Ellis significant exposure to community advocacy and direct service, but it also clarified what she still wanted to learn. Her undergraduate background in Spanish and human development and family studies had given her a strong foundation for understanding people and systems, but she wanted more training in assessment, intervention and clinical practice.

“I had a good understanding of people, but I needed more intervention and assessment skills,” Ellis said. “That’s what led me to pursue a Master of Social Work.”

Because Ellis was living abroad, finding the right program required careful planning. She spent nearly two years researching programs that were reputable, flexible and able to support a student completing coursework from another country. The University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s online MSW program stood out.

“The program fit both of the things I needed,” Ellis said. “I needed a reputable program, and I needed one that would allow me to continue living and working abroad.”

While completing the program online, Ellis was able to immediately apply what she was learning in class to her work in Honduras. Concepts from coursework informed the way she approached advocacy, communication, assessment and program development.

“Being able to work and study at the same time was incredibly impactful,” Ellis said. “Even techniques I learned in class could immediately affect my work. I could tell a difference.”

The UK College of Social Work practicum education team also helped Ellis navigate practicum requirements while she was abroad. Because she did not have access to an MSW-level supervisor in Honduras, the college helped provide virtual supervision, allowing her to continue progressing through the program without stepping away from her community-based work.

“They made it where there were zero obstacles for me,” Ellis said. “It was exactly what I needed.”

Ellis moved back to the United States in time to complete her advanced practicum and gain experience in the U.S. social work system before graduation. She is now completing her advanced practicum at North Harbor Pavilion in Alabama, working in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

The experience has expanded her understanding of clinical social work and mental health care. In Honduras, much of her work focused on domestic violence, addiction, sexual trauma and community advocacy. In her advanced practicum, she is working with patients experiencing challenges such as drug-induced psychosis, suicidal ideation and acute mental health needs.

“It is a totally different culture and a totally different set of resources,” Ellis said. “But even still, I’ve been able to apply so much of what I learned in my classes, especially around assessment.”

Ellis will graduate in August 2026 and plans to work toward clinical licensure. As she looks toward that next step, she said her experience at UK has affirmed both her professional goals and the value of flexible, accessible graduate education.

“I would not have been able to do my master’s if UK had not made it possible,” Ellis said. “I’m so thankful for that.”

For Ellis, the College of Social Work’s fully online MSW program did more than allow her to earn a degree from abroad. It enabled her to continue serving a community she cared deeply about while gaining the professional preparation needed for long-term impact.

June 29, 2026

UK Criminal Justice program launches new Undergraduate Certificate in Victimology

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 24, 2026) — The University of Kentucky’s criminal justice program is expanding academic opportunities for students through the launch of a new Undergraduate Certificate in Victimology.

The 12-credit-hour certificate is designed to prepare students for careers supporting victims and survivors of crime. Offered through the UK College of Social Work (CoSW), the certificate provides students with specialized knowledge of crime victimization, victim experiences and victim services within the criminal justice system. The program draws on interdisciplinary perspectives from victimology, criminal justice, and social work to examine the social, legal and structural contexts that shape victimization and societal responses to harm.

“The victimology certificate gives students an opportunity to better understand the experiences of victims and survivors, both as they engage the criminal justice system and other services intended to support them in navigating the harm they have suffered,” said Victoria Collins, Ph.D., executive director and chair of the criminal justice programs. “This certificate is instrumental programming for students wanting to work in justice related careers, who will either directly or indirectly work with, and contribute to, victims’ experiences with crime, trauma, and recovery. It provides students with the knowledge to better understand individual and societal reactions to victimization, as well as support them in overcoming challenges that accompany being a victim of a crime.”

Students pursuing the certificate will complete two required courses and two approved electives. Required courses include crime victimization, offered online and in person in fall 2026, and understanding the impact of trauma, offered online in fall 2026.

The victimology certificate is especially relevant for students interested in careers in criminal justice, victim advocacy, social work, law enforcement, corrections, public policy, nonprofit services, legal systems and trauma-informed care. It is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students at UK who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Current UK students interested in adding the certificate should discuss the option with their academic advisor to determine how it may fit within their plan of study.

This certificate is the latest example of continued growth within the college’s criminal justice programs. In the fall of 2025, the CoSW launched its Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Since then, Collins has supported CoSW in expanding the program’s academic reach through faculty expertise, hands-on learning opportunities and new partnerships.

Recent initiatives include campus experiences such as crime scene investigation programming and the Reentry Photovoice Experience, as well as increased college representation at international conferences.

More information about the victimology certificate, including course requirements and application details, are available through UK Online.

June 24, 2026

Shelita Jackson promoted to clinical associate professor, advancing undergraduate education and student success

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 22, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to announce the promotion of Shelita Jackson, DSW, to clinical associate professor, recognizing her outstanding contributions in undergraduate social work education, where her teaching, mentorship and program development have expanded opportunities for students and helped prepare graduates to meet workforce needs across Kentucky and beyond.

As director of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program, Jackson has helped shape the academic and professional journeys of undergraduate students through a relationship-centered approach to education. Known for creating learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and empowered to succeed, she has expanded opportunities for students to engage in research, workforce training and experiential learning while preparing them to address complex social challenges across Kentucky and beyond.

“Dr. Jackson’s impact can be seen not only in the classroom but also in the countless students she has mentored, supported and inspired throughout their educational journeys,” said Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty advancement at the CoSW. “Her commitment to student success, innovative program development and workforce preparation reflect the very best of our mission. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved promotion.”

Jackson’s dedication to teaching and student mentorship has earned recognition at both the institutional and national levels. In 2026, she received the University of Kentucky Outstanding Teaching Award, one of the institution’s highest honors recognizing excellence in instruction and student mentorship. She was also honored with a Mentor Recognition Award at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference and was a recipient of the 2026 Catalyst Award, presented during the 4^th Annual Legacy Dinner and Awards hosted by the UK Martin Luther King Center.  

“I’ve always believed that relationships are the foundation of change,” said Jackson. “When students feel seen, supported and challenged in the right ways, they don’t just become stronger professionals — they become stronger advocates and leaders.”

Since joining CoSW, Jackson has established herself as a leader in undergraduate education through initiatives designed to expand student opportunity while addressing critical workforce needs across the Commonwealth.

Among her contributions is the creation of the college’s Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program. Developed in response to growing workforce demands in behavioral health and addiction services, the program provides students with specialized training in evidence-informed treatment approaches, client engagement, community resource coordination and substance use counseling practice.

Upon completion, students may be eligible to pursue Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Associate I (CADCA I) recognition. The program creates an important pathway for undergraduate students to enter Kentucky’s behavioral health workforce with focused preparation in addiction services, an area of ongoing need across the Commonwealth. Recently, the program celebrated the certification of BASW student Trish Ison, Kentucky’s first Deaf Peer Support Specialist to earn the CADCA I.

Jackson also played a key role in developing the college’s S.P.A.R.K. (Student Partnering with Academics in Research and Knowledge) undergraduate research mentoring program. The initiative connects students with faculty mentors and hands-on research experiences, helping cultivate the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and leaders. Through S.P.A.R.K., Jackson has helped make research more accessible to undergraduate students, giving them early exposure to faculty mentorship, applied inquiry and professional pathways that can lead to graduate education and advanced practice.

Jackson’s impact has also been recognized by her peers and professional organizations. In addition to receiving the Outstanding Teaching Award, she was recently nominated for Program Director of the Year, by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) recognizing her leadership and contributions to undergraduate social work education. She was also elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the BPD, a national organization dedicated to advancing excellence in undergraduate social work education.

These recognitions reflect Jackson’s growing influence as an educator, mentor, and leader within the profession.

As CoSW continues to expand opportunities for students, Jackson’s promotion reflects her lasting impact on the College, the profession and the communities its graduates serve.

June 22, 2026

Students, staff and faculty wear blue to represent the Army-UK MSW Program during the Graduate School Research & Education Symposium at Fort Sam Houston.

Army-UK MSW students, faculty recognized at Graduate School Research & Education Symposium

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 18, 2026) — Army-University of Kentucky (UK) Master of Social Work Program (MSW) students and faculty were recently recognized at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Graduate School Research & Education Symposium (GSRES) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, highlighting the program’s contributions to military social work scholarship, education and practice.

The Army-UK MSW Program was well represented during this year’s symposium, with 11 poster presentations, including 10 student presentations and one faculty presentation. The annual event brings together graduate students, faculty and academic leaders to share research, strengthen teaching and learning, and advance scholarship with relevance to military communities and society.

Among this year’s honorees was 1LT Kevin Kwon, who received the student Impact Award for his research, “Trauma Bonding: The Relationship of Shared Trauma and Unit Cohesion.” The award recognizes graduate student research with strong potential to create notable impact for the military force and society.

1LT Kevin Kwon receiving the student Impact Award

Kwon was also invited to publish his work in Army scholarship journals, including the Pulse of Army Medicine and the Borden Institute’s Medical Journal.

His research examines the relationship between shared trauma and unit cohesion, a topic with direct relevance to military social work, behavioral health and the systems of support that serve military-connected individuals, families, and communities.

Dexter Freeman, DSW, associate professor, was also recognized during the symposium as Faculty Member of the Year for the Army-UK MSW Program. The honor acknowledges Freeman’s leadership, service and commitment to students and the social work profession specifically within military contexts.

The recognition comes as the Army-UK MSW Program continues to prepare military social workers for advanced practice, leadership and service. Through the partnership between the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) and the U.S. Army, students receive rigorous graduate social work education designed to support the complex needs of service members, veterans, families and military communities.

CoSW faculty and staff also traveled to Fort Sam Houston to support this year’s symposium. Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty advancement, presented to faculty on shifting from subject matter experts to immersive experience designers and facilitators. Her presentation focused on practical strategies for creating interactive learning environments and encouraged faculty to engage in the Scholar-Educator Model by investigating and sharing their teaching experiences.

Rebecca Meeks, director of admissions at CoSW, supported the program through student engagement, sharing UK resources and connecting with students and faculty during the event.

The College’s presence at GSRES reflects its ongoing commitment to the Army-UK MSW Program and to supporting scholarship, teaching excellence and student success across learning environments. For program leaders, this year’s symposium demonstrated the strength of the Army-UK MSW community and the impact of student and faculty scholarship.

“This year’s event was a huge success, and the Army-UK MSW Program was well represented,” Maj. Kenneth R. Harris III., Ph.D., said, executive officer of the Army-UK MSW program and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky. “We are thankful for the leadership, commitment and service of our students, faculty and UK teammates who continue to support the program and the profession.”

June 18, 2026

Stephanie Ratliff promoted to clinical assistant professor, strengthening experiential education and practicum pathways

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to announce the promotion of Stephanie Ratliff, Ph.D., to clinical assistant professor, recognizing her ongoing leadership in preparing future social workers, strengthening Kentucky’s behavioral health and child welfare workforce, and advancing research that supports survivors and vulnerable communities.

A native of Eastern Kentucky, Ratliff has built a career dedicated to strengthening the social work workforce and advancing knowledge that improves support systems for children, families and survivors navigating complex needs. Her scholarship centers on child welfare practice, intimate partner violence, substance use and implementation science, with a particular focus on improving services for survivors and strengthening professional education for future social workers.

“Dr. Ratliff has devoted her career to preparing the next generation of social workers while advancing research that addresses some of our communities’ most pressing challenges,” said Jackie Duron, Ph.D, associate dean of faculty advancement at CoSW. “Her leadership in experiential education, commitment to student success and growing body of scholarship exemplify the impact we strive to make through teaching, research and service.”

Ratliff currently serves as director of Experiential Education, overseeing CoSW’s vast practicum education experiences that prepare students for professional social work practice. Prior to assuming this role, she directed the College’s Credit for Learning (CFL) Program and Graduate Child Welfare Practice Certificate, helping strengthen workforce pipelines and expand access to advanced training opportunities for social workers across Kentucky.

Under her leadership, CoSW recently enrolled the largest practicum cohort in College history, creating new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in communities across the nation. Ratliff has also played a key role in expanding the college’s network of more than 3,000 practicum partners, supporting placements across undergraduate and graduate programs that connect students with meaningful learning experiences while helping address critical workforce needs.

“Practicum education is where everything comes together,” said Ratliff. “It’s not just about skill-building; it’s about creating space for students to reflect, grow and learn from both successes and mistakes.”

In addition to her teaching and leadership roles, Ratliff has developed a growing research portfolio focused on improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by intimate partner violence and substance use. Her work examines how organizations implement evidence-informed practices and how service systems can better respond to individuals with complex and intersecting needs.

In 2024, Ratliff earned her PhD in Social Work from the CoSW. Her dissertation, “What’s Harm Reduction Got to Do With It? A Study of the Implementation of Substance Use Management Practices Among a Sample of U.S. Domestic Violence Shelters,” explored how domestic violence programs across the United States support survivors who use substances.

Drawing from a national sample of domestic violence programs, Ratliff’s dissertation identified both challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of substance use management and harm reduction practices. Her findings highlighted the need for stronger organizational frameworks, improved data collection and increased capacity to better support survivors navigating both intimate partner violence and substance use.

“Social work teaches you to be brave and use your voice,” Ratliff said. “Research is a way to advocate for those who often go unheard. It’s about finding the courage to speak up and take risks.”

Beyond her dissertation work, Ratliff has contributed to research and training initiatives that strengthen child welfare practice, social work education and interdisciplinary responses to intimate partner violence. Her scholarship and practice innovations have been presented at national conferences, including the American Public Health Association, the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors and the Council on Social Work Education.

Through collaborations with state agencies, higher education institutions and community organizations, Ratliff’s work has helped strengthen social service systems and expand opportunities for current and future practitioners.

Stephanie Ratliff’s leadership, teaching and scholarship continues to advance the College’s mission of improving the human condition. Join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved promotion.

June 18, 2026

UK Criminal Justice student gains real-world experience through ATF internship

Lexington, KY (June 16, 2026) – For University of Kentucky (UK) criminal justice student Tyler Gonzalez, classroom learning took on new meaning through a highly competitive internship with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Gonzalez, a criminal justice major with a military leadership minor at the UK College of Social Work (CoSW), completed the internship last semester. The experience gave him a firsthand look at federal investigations, evidence review, field operations, and the connection between criminal investigative work and prosecution.

“During my internship with the ATF, I had the opportunity to follow the agents’ cases from start to finish, gaining a clear view of how federal investigations operate,” Gonzalez said. “By assisting with the review of digital evidence and recorded calls, I learned about the technology and investigative processes used to track and dismantle criminal networks.”

The ATF offers students the opportunity to gain experience in a competitive federal law enforcement internship program, where interns work alongside professionals and develop skills in areas such as critical analysis, problem solving, business writing and emerging technologies. For Gonzalez, the placement offered an opportunity to connect his academic preparation with real-world criminal justice work.

In addition to reviewing digital evidence and recorded calls, Gonzalez attended operational briefings and monitored controlled purchases of evidence through various electronic investigative techniques. The experience allowed him to observe the coordination, preparation, and situational awareness required during field operations. He also attended courthouse hearings, which helped him better understand how investigative work supports the prosecution process.

“All these experiences have allowed me to apply what I have learned in my criminal justice classes to real-world scenarios, reinforcing the importance of detail, teamwork and professionalism,” Gonzalez said. “This internship has solidified my commitment to a career in public service and to developing a professional foundation that I will carry with me in any role ahead.”

This summer, Gonzalez will attend Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox before traveling to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington for Cadet Troop Leadership Training, where he will shadow a military intelligence officer, learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of a platoon leader and gain firsthand insight into the military intelligence branch.

Set to graduate in spring 2027, Gonzalez has distinguished himself as an exceptional student and leader. He has earned Dean’s List recognition each year from 2024-26 and is the recipient of the William C. Parker Scholarship and the National Army ROTC Scholarship.

He also serves as the HHC commanding officer in the Wildcat Army ROTC Battalion and as the Kentucky Rangers commanding officer in the ROTC Fraternity.

Victoria Collins, Ph.D., executive director and chair of the criminal justice programs, said Gonzalez’s success reflects both his personal dedication and the value of criminal justice internships.

“Gonzalez has an incredible work ethic, character and commitment to public service,” Collins said. “His internship with the ATF is an impressive and highly competitive opportunity for any student. I am thrilled our program has helped support his journey and expand his experiential learning.”

The UK Criminal Justice programs launched in 2023 in response to a growing need for highly trained, workforce-ready graduates prepared to serve across law enforcement, corrections, victim advocacy, cybersecurity, investigations, community outreach, violence prevention and related fields.

“My experience in the criminal justice program has been great,” Gonzalez said. “I have loved every bit of UK and all the opportunities that it has given me!”

June 16, 2026

Laneshia Conner promoted to associate professor, continues advancing community-engaged research on aging, health and wellbeing

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2026) — The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to announce the promotion of Laneshia Conner, Ph.D., to associate professor with tenure, recognizing her outstanding contributions to research, teaching and service in the field of social work.

A Lexington native and alumna of the CoSW, Conner has emerged as a nationally recognized scholar whose work addresses community health, aging, HIV prevention and culturally responsive health education. Her research focuses particularly on improving sexual health outcomes and HIV risk-reduction strategies for older Black women and aging communities through sustainable, community-informed interventions.

“Dr. Conner’s work exemplifies the kind of scholarship that not only advances knowledge, but directly impacts our community,” said Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty advancement at CoSW. “Her continued dedication to research, teaching and mentorship reflects the very best of our mission. We are proud to see her continued growth at CoSW.”

Since joining CoSW, Conner has built a nationally recognized research portfolio grounded in community-engaged practice and implementation science.

Her research program has received support from several prestigious federal agencies, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Most recently, she received a multi-year grant from the NIA to further advance her work related to sexual health and aging populations.

Among her recent projects is Advancing Gerontological Health Education, an initiative supported by the UK UNITE Humanities Pilot Grant. The project addresses a longstanding gap in sexual health education for older adults, through the development of age-informed education tools like 2D flashcards. These tools are designed to support conversations around sexual health, wellbeing, hygiene practices and disease prevention in later life.

“Most sexual health education models are designed with younger populations in mind,” Conner shared. “There’s a need for resources that consider the changes that occur with age and how those changes might impact sexual health.”

Conner’s scholarship has also gained national attention for its interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. One of the College’s most popular courses, Horror Films and Social Welfare, explores horror films as a framework for examining critical social issues, including racism, mental health, fear, artificial intelligence and societal responses to crisis. Since launching the course in 2021, Conner has used horror cinema as a form of critical pedagogy, helping students examine how fear is socially constructed and how media shapes public perception and social behavior.

Her work has extended to public scholarship and speaking engagements. Conner was selected as a TEDx speaker, where she shared perspectives on culturally responsive education, community engagement and advancing conversations surrounding health and social change.

In addition to her research and teaching, Conner has been recognized nationally and institutionally for her scholarship and leadership. She received the Lyman T. Johnson Award, one of the University’s longstanding honors recognizing individuals who had demonstrated outstanding leadership in inclusive excellence and impact. She was also named a 2025 mentor for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and previously received national recognition from the Society for Social Work and Research for her article “Black Experiences Matter: Reflections of Black Faculty Experiences with Black Administrators.”

Conner received mentoring, multidisciplinary research training, and career development training through two internal research training programs: the DREAM Scholars Program and the BIRCWH program, one of UK’s founding programs funded by NIDA.

Conner has served as adviser to the Association of Black Social Workers at UK from its inception in 2021 through its dissolution in 2025, chaired the college’s curriculum committee and served as a faculty senator. Beyond academia, she is active in the Lexington community through youth mentorship, coaching track and field at a local high school and running her own AAU youth track and field club in the summer.

June 15, 2026

Kathryn Showalter promoted to associate professor, advances research on intimate partner violence and family wellbeing

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to announce the promotion of Dr. Kathryn Showalter to Associate Professor with tenure, recognizing her nationally recognized scholarship, teaching and service focused on intimate partner violence (IPV), family wellbeing and social policy.

Over the course of her career, Showalter has established herself as a leading researcher examining the ways IPV influences poverty through employment sabotage. Outcomes of mental health, financial security, and housing stability of IPV survivors are the focus of Showalter’s research. Showalter believes that systematic policy response to protecting employment can improve the livelihood, safety, and future of families experiencing violence.

“Dr. Showalter’s scholarship exemplifies the power of research to address complex social problems and improve lives,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement at CoSW. “Her work has expanded our understanding of violence prevention, family wellbeing and social policy while contributing meaningful solutions for practitioners, policymakers and communities. We are proud to celebrate this well-earned promotion and tenure.”

Showalter’s research has been published in leading journals and has earned national recognition for its contributions to the field. Most recently, she received the Council on Social Work Education’s Violence Against Women and Children Manuscript Award for her scholarship examining the experiences of survivors and the systems designed to support them. During this conference, Showalter was also recognized for serving as a 2025 Mentor for the Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education alongside colleagues Dr. Laneshia Conner, Dr. Shelita Jackson, and Dr. Kristel Scoresby.

In the past year, Showalter has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications focused on intimate partner violence, housing insecurity and family wellbeing. Her scholarship continues to examine how policies and support systems can improve safety, stability and long-term outcomes for IPV survivors and their children.

“Violence doesn’t occur in isolation,” Showalter said in a previous interview. “When families experience intimate partner violence, the impacts can extend into nearly every aspect of life, including housing, financial security, health and wellbeing. Understanding those connections helps us identify opportunities for intervention and prevention.”

Beyond her scholarship, Showalter has contributed to the profession through teaching, mentoring and service. She has presented her work at conferences across the country and continues to collaborate with researchers, practitioners and policymakers working to improve outcomes for survivors of violence and their families.

Through her research, teaching and service, Showalter continues to advance CoSW’s mission of improving the human condition by generating knowledge that informs practice, shapes policy and strengthens communities.

June 12, 2026

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