LEXINGTON, Ky. —The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is pleased to welcome Carly Kimiecik, PhD, MSW, as an incoming Assistant Professor. She will also serve as Assistant Director of the CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, working alongside Director Dr. Tarkington Newman to further the field of sport social work. 

Originally from Oxford, Ohio, Carly has called Columbus and West Lafayette home while completing graduate studies and pursuing community-engaged work in youth development, sport, and public health. She will relocate to Lexington this August to begin her new role. 

Carly brings with her a dynamic background that bridges youth programming, social work, and sport-based development. After earning dual undergraduate degrees from Miami University in Health Promotion and American Studies, Carly worked with After-School All-Stars and LiFEsports in Columbus, Ohio, where she served in multiple roles including program assistant, behavior specialist, and college and career readiness co-lead. 

She earned her MSW from The Ohio State University, where she contributed to student-athlete support initiatives and gained experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation through her work with LiFEsports. Following her time at Ohio State, she pursued a Ph.D. in public health at Purdue University. While at Purdue, she managed a public health research lab, contributed to the Center for Health Excellence, Quality, and Innovation, and served as a mentor for student-athletes through the Center for Academic Vision and Excellence in the athletics department. 

Carly’s research explores the lived experiences of youth and student-athletes through strengths-based and community-engaged approaches. Her work focuses on the intersection of health, development, and well-being across socio-ecological systems—especially in sport and play-based settings. She is particularly passionate about integrating social work into athletic contexts to promote holistic youth development and to strengthen community partnerships that address social determinants of health. 

Prior to joining the University of Kentucky, Carly served as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Science and Social Work at Miami University. 

“Dr. Kimiecik brings an exciting depth of experience to our growing sport social work efforts,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement. “Her community-engaged research and commitment to youth development will not only enrich our academic programs, but also strengthen our partnerships across Kentucky and beyond.” 

Outside of her academic work, Carly enjoys spending time with her cats, friends, and partner, staying active through running, boxing, and tennis, and tuning into her favorite podcasts while out on walks. She’s also a college sports enthusiast and—fun fact—is ambidextrous! 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is pleased to welcome Megan Trafford, MS, as a Lecturer. 

Originally from New York, Trafford most recently lived in Connecticut while pursuing her academic and professional career in criminal justice. She taught introductory statistics for the criminal justice profession at the University of New Haven, where she also served as a teaching assistant for multiple courses including Victims and Victimization, Criminology, and Criminal Legal System Injustices.  

Notably, Trafford led an international research project in which she redesigned a survey measuring patterns of deception in intimate relationships—including misrepresentation or non-disclosure of important personal information—which has since been disseminated in England, Scotland, and The Netherlands, with plans for future cross-national comparisons. 

Trafford earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 2019, before completing a master’s degree in criminal justice at the University of New Haven in 2022. She also holds graduate certificates in forensic psychology, and victim advocacy and service management. Currently, Trafford is completing her PhD in criminal justice at the University of New Haven.  

In addition to her academic training, Trafford has completed C-SSRS training through the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. 

“Megan’s expertise in criminal justice, victimization, and human rights brings an important dimension to our College,” said Jackie Duron, PhD, Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement. “We are excited for the perspective she brings to both her research and her teaching, and the impact she will have on our students and the broader community.” 

Outside of her academic and professional work, Trafford enjoys reading memoirs, traveling, and exploring the outdoors. On a recent trip to Montana, she flew a plane through Glacier National Park and kayaked across Lake McDonald. 

You can connect with Megan on LinkedIn. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is pleased to welcome Stephanie Quiring, JD, PhD, as an Assistant Professor. 

Quiring brings more than 15 years of experience as an attorney, community advocate, and educator, with a career spanning multiple stages of the criminal legal system. Early in her career, she worked on the successful campaign to abolish the death penalty in Maryland. More recently, she served as Board Chair of the Indiana Abolition Coalition during the resumption of federal executions, after a 17-year hiatus, in Terre Haute, Indiana. As an attorney, her work focused on criminal defense, particularly in cases involving mental health concerns. 

Her research and policy interests are grounded in supporting people with lived experiences navigating mental health crises within the criminal legal system. This includes work in police decision-making, community-based mental health crisis response, and mental health law and policy. 

“I’m thrilled to join a college deeply committed to social justice and innovation,” shared Quiring. “I look forward to collaborating with students, faculty, and community partners as we work to improve systems that impact people and our communities.” 

Prior to joining CoSW, Quiring was on faculty at the Indiana University School of Social Work. In Indiana, she also served as the Research Director for the NAMI Indiana Technical Assistance Center for Mental Health and Justice Programs. There, she worked with communities across the state to strengthen infrastructure for crisis response through Sequential Intercept Model mapping and strategic planning. 

“Dr. Quiring brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of criminal justice and mental health,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, CoSW Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement. “Her scholarship and systems-level work reflect our college’s mission to bring positive change through people. We’re delighted to welcome her to our faculty.” 

Quiring earned her PhD from Indiana University, her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law, and an Extended Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Northern Arizona University. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and the Southern District of Indiana. 

When she’s not in the classroom or community, you’ll likely find Quiring exploring Lexington with her English Bulldog, Ace. She enjoys spending time with her family, road trips, and trying new restaurants. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. —The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CosW) is proud to welcome Dr. Eva Nyerges as a Lecturer, marking a homecoming for a scholar, practitioner, and UK Alumnus whose commitment to service and education has spanned communities both local and global. 

A Central Kentucky native, Nyerges returns to the Commonwealth after several years of academic and professional work in Michigan. Though her path has taken her across state lines, she describes her journey back to Lexington as one rooted in purpose and place. 

“I’m thrilled to be back in the Bluegrass,” Nyerges shared. “This is where my passion for social work was shaped, and I’m excited to contribute to a college that played such a foundational role in my own life.” 

Nyerges earned her MSW from CoSW in 2015 and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work and Family Science in 2023. She brings with her an impressive record of scholarship, instruction, and hands-on experience, particularly in service of refugee and immigrant communities. 

“Dr. Nyerges brings a remarkable blend of lived experience, scholarly rigor, and a deep commitment to community-engaged practice,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, Associate Dean of Faculty Advancement. “Her return to CoSW not only reflects the strength of our alumni network—it also enhances our ability to prepare students for responsive, justice-driven social work.” 

From 2015 to 2019, Nyerges served as a case manager and program director at Kentucky Refugee Ministries in Louisville, leading support initiatives for older adult refugees and their families. As she pursued her doctorate, she served as a research assistant while also teaching at Spalding University and the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Throughout her career, she has also mentored future social workers as a dedicated field supervisor for BSW and MSW students. 

In addition to her professional and academic credentials, Nyerges holds a bachelor’s degree in French and Anthropology from Centre College—an early signal of the global perspective that has continued to shape her work. 

When she’s not teaching or conducting research, Nyerges enjoys collecting signed books by some of her favorite thought leaders. Among her prized possessions? Personal signatures from Jane Goodall and Trevor Noah. 

Connect with Dr. Nyerges on LinkedIn and join us in welcoming her back to Central Kentucky and to the UK College of Social Work. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Rebecca “Becky” Hill, DSW, LCSW, will be appointed as lecturer of social work. Hill brings more than two decades of experience in clinical social work, education, and cross-sector collaboration across Kentucky. 

Hill began her social work career at the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and has since held roles in public health, community mental health, private practice, medical social work—including in the emergency department and outpatient pediatrics at UK HealthCare—and higher education. She has previously served in the UK community as a team member at the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center and as a part-time instructor with the CoSW. 

“Dr. Hill’s extensive experience across Kentucky’s local systems—from state agencies to health care and higher education—offers a critical lens for our students,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, associate dean for faculty advancement. “Her insight into the unique challenges and strengths of our Commonwealth will enrich classroom learning and prepare our future workforce for impactful, community-informed practice.” 

Hill earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Eastern Kentucky University in 2000, her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Kentucky in 2009, and her Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) from UK in 2024. She has been licensed in Kentucky since 2002, first as an LSW (2002–2009), then as a CSW (2009–2019), and has held her LCSW since 2019. 

Throughout her career, Hill has been known for her client-centered approach, trauma-informed care, and deep commitment to mental health advocacy. She is particularly passionate about integrating clinical education into community-responsive frameworks that address both individual and systemic needs. 

Outside of her professional work, Hill is the proud parent of two teenage sons. She enjoys spending time outdoors—often hiking or gardening—and can frequently be found with a good book in hand between family activities. 

The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Dr. Lindsey Munoz will start an appointment as a clinical faculty member, where she will continue shaping the future of teaching and learning.

Munoz joined CoSW in 2024 as the assistant dean of pedagogical possibilities, a role focused on enhancing instructional excellence, innovation, and accessibility. This fall, she expands her commitment to the College by also serving as a faculty member, bringing her student-centered approach directly into the classroom. 

“I’ve always felt a strong pull toward teaching,” Munoz shared. “Serving in an administrative role reminded me how much I value the connection with students—and stepping into a faculty role feels like the next step in my own professional growth.” 

That growth is guided by a teaching philosophy rooted in constructivism, relational-cultural theory, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive and transparent instruction. Whether developing new academic alert systems or advocating for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Munoz views access and success in education not as individual burdens, but as shared institutional responsibilities. 

Munoz has led College-wide efforts to enhance online learning, integrate responsible AI use, and apply data to improve instruction. Her work spans undergraduate through graduate programs and includes onboarding programs that make virtual classrooms more dynamic and engaging. 

Looking ahead, Munoz will continue prioritizing three key initiatives: 

“My goal is to support high-impact teaching that makes the College of Social Work a true destination for students,” Munoz explained. “We already have extraordinary faculty and curriculum. Now, we’re focusing on how we deliver those experiences to ensure connection, clarity, and long-term impact.” 

Outside of academia, Munoz brings a unique lens shaped by her work in mental health, public safety, and app development—and a surprising background as a nationally ranked BMX racer. “It’s not something that comes up often in meetings,” she joked, “but it definitely shaped how I think about discipline, resilience, and risk-taking.” 

Whether she’s working with instructional designers, mentoring new educators, or experimenting with new classroom approaches, Munoz continues to model what it means to learn, evolve, and lead with intention.