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DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Orin Howard

MSW, MBA

Expanding Cultural Competency in Social Work Education utilizing Critical Race Theory focusing on the African American Experiences

Concentration -

  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025 -
  • 10:30 am
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Abstract

Cultural Competency has been ingrained into the fabric of social work. It is an expectation that all social workers demonstrate and fight against oppression and white supremacy. The standards created by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) developed guidelines for students and future social workers. The African American community continues to be one of the most impacted communities by structural oppression, racism, and discrimination. This study analyzes several studies that explore the perceptions of African American Master of Social Work (MSW) students’ experiences and cultural competencies. Studies will show that the perceptions of these MSW students reflect ongoing concerns that mirror community concerns for the African American community. Utilizing Critical Race Theory (CRT), the study will show how social work education could be expanded to address some of the community’s needs and reinforce standards set by the CSWE and NASW. The study shows that CRT has only been implemented in two MSW programs in the United States (Howard University and California State University Dominguez Hills). CRT addresses some of the concerns expressed by the students but also forges a new direction in social work education that allows knowledge to be integrated into the entire MSW curriculum.

Biography

Orin Howard is a doctoral student at the University of Kentucky School of Social Work. He has a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from the University of Maryland College Park, a Master of Social Work from Howard University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. He owns a mental health practice and is an adjunct at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.
He holds clinical licensures in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He has over 30 years of social work experience. He is certified in various modalities including supportive employment, financial social work, telemental health, Cognitive behavioral therapy, crisis management, mental health nutrition, motivational interviewing, and effective black parenting.
Orin teaches multiple courses at the School of Social Work and has a research interest in the African American community. His current courses include Structural Oppression and Clinical Practice with African Americans. His current doctoral Capstone explores the perceptions and beliefs of social work students and faculty as they relate to Critical Race Theory and social work education.
Orin has won 2024, 2023, 2022, and other Dean’s teaching awards. Orin has been nominated for the 2022 Kendall Excellence in Teaching Award. He has also won the 2018 Social Work Trailblazer award and two 2006 D.C. Mayoral awards.