LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 17, 2026) – With over 12,000 alumni located around the world, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is proud to recognize and support the success of these graduates and their contribution to the social work and criminal justice fields.
Sara Corman, a 2025 graduate of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and member of the Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL), sat down with the CoSW to share more about her role within the sport social work field at Grand Valley State University.
What have you been up to professionally since your graduation from the College of Social Work?
Since graduating in May of 2025 with my MSW, I accepted the Director of Student-Athlete Experience at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I work in the Office of Student-Athlete Development serving our 750 student-athletes. My role as the sport social worker is to act as our athletics departments case manager, providing resources and opportunities for our athletes. I help connect athletes to job and internships, get access to mental health care, and graduate as well-rounded individuals.
What has been the most rewarding part of this role?
The most rewarding part of my job is having athletes come back to me excited about their progress in life. Whether that is in sport, with their mental health, or academically, it is a joy watch people grow and change for the better.
How did your time in the MSW program and the Sport Social Work Research Lab prepare you for your current position?
My time at UK helped prepare me for this role by providing a well-rounded education in the social work field. During my last year, the addition of Dr. Matt Moore to the CoSW faculty was a huge help. His knowledge of sport social work was what got me into the field and then to have the opportunity to learn under him was invaluable. Working directly with Dr. Tarkington Newman was a gamechanger for me as well. From advising my practicum position with the UK Men’s Soccer team, to allowing me opportunities for research, Dr. Newman provided wonderful advice and preparation.
What is your favorite part of working in the social work field?
My favorite part about working in the social work field is working one-on-one with people. Being a social worker allows me to get to know people on a deeper level, which allows me to connect better with them. It allows me to share their goals.
What are you looking forward to as you continue to grow professionally in the field?
I look forward to collaborating with different universities and groups that can help improve the lives of my athletes. I look forward to attending conferences and meeting new sport social workers.
What advice would you share with students who are looking to become sport social workers?
Find a practicum with a team. Get the hands-on experience with student-athletes, especially if you were not an athlete yourself. Understanding the life of an athlete is imperative. They are not regular college students, and they need to be treated as such. The needs are greater and the ceiling is higher. Working directly with athletes is the best way to learn how to care for them.