LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) recently joined thousands of educators, researchers, and practitioners from across the nation at the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 2025 Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.
The four-day event, held Oct. 23–26, showcased CoSW’s leadership in research, education, and its continued investment in the wellbeing of social work and helping professionals. Throughout the week, CoSW faculty, students, alumni and staff presented original research, facilitated professional development sessions, received national recognitions for their contributions to the discipline, and provided self-care opportunities for all conference attendees.
Fifteen CoSW scholars contributed to a robust slate of presentations addressing critical issues in the field. Topics included practicum resilience, disability justice, leadership development, policy engagement, and the use of artificial intelligence in social work education.
Among those recognized for their impact, Dr. Kathryn Showalter, assistant professor at CoSW, received the 2025 Violence Against Women and Children Manuscript Award from CSWE’s Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education. Showalter, along with Drs. Laneshia Conner, Shelita Jackson and Kristel
Scoresby, was also honored by the same council for outstanding service and mentorship.
Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)students Crystal Campbell and Deonna Frierson were awarded the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) and recognized for their leadership in practice, research, teaching, and policy promulgation in serving persons with or at risk of mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
This year, the College of Social Work Self-Care Lab (SCL) launched the inaugural CSWE Self-Care Challenge, a research-informed initiative encouraging conference participants to intentionally integrate self-care practices into their professional routines.
Nearly 200 attendees participated in SCL-sponsored activities such as sunrise yoga, chair massages, companion walking, and visits to the Neurodivergent Room—a sensory-friendly space offering respite from the fast pace of conference activities. Participants received bracelets to scan at each activity, earning points and climbing a live leaderboard.
Conference attendees Jennifer Pax and Kelley Leaf tied for first place in the challenge, followed closely by Muriel Rand in third.
“I can honestly say the small moments of self-care were a highlight of the event for me,” shared Rand. “I especially loved the time for yoga and the chair massage. All of the self care activities were not only a welcome break but a good opportunity to develop new habits that I am trying to continue beyond the conference.”
The week concluded with a College-hosted celebration in downtown Denver, where faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends reconnected over shared experiences and celebrated a week of scholarship and collaboration.
From national awards to innovative wellness programming, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work continues to advance social work education through research, service and human-centered innovation. CoSW’s presence at CSWE 2025 reaffirmed its mission to advance the human condition—always, in all ways.
