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Homecoming 2025

The University of Kentucky Alumni Association (UKAA) is hosting Homecoming 2025 on October 13-18 and SWAA couldn’t be more excited! 

Save-the-date and plan your trip to campus today.

If you can’t make it to Lexington – no worries, we’ll be offering opportunities to celebrate virtually, too!

See the schedule below for all of the events SWAA will participate in, including offerings we’ll be hosting just for the College of Social Work!

Schedule of Events

Homecoming Pop-Up Shop

October 13 - 27, 2025

Location: Online

Shop the SWAA Homecoming 2025 Pop-Up for exclusive CoSW apparel!

Shop Is Closed

Swag Cab (with UKAA)

October 13 - 17, 2025

Location: In-person and online

Catch the Swag Cab as we’ll be cruising through campus to provide lucky students with a ride to class, and a change to answer trivia questions for a chance to win prizes – UK style! Flag us down for your chance to win!

Not on campus? No problem! Check out the College of Social Work Instagram and Facebook pages for a daily trivia question. All who answer correctly will be entered for a chance to receive CoSW swag!

Facebook Instagram

Golden Wildcat Society Induction Dinner & Pinning Ceremony (with UKAA)

October 16, 2025 - 6 PM

Location: Longship Club - Kroger Field - 1540 University Drive

Join us for a reception, delicious dinner, and recognition ceremony! Members of the Class of 1975 will receive their pins and be inducted into the Golden Wildcat Society.

Register Here

Lunch and Learn: Coming Home to Sport Social Work

October 16, 2025 - 12 PM - 1 PM (60 minutes)
Location: Synchronous distance learning (live virtual via Zoom)

This Lunch and Learn session will introduce the arena of sport social work, using the Homecoming traditions at the University of Kentucky as a focal point. Homecoming is a tradition that brings people together, fosters belonging, and strengthens the community, all centered around a football game. This presentation will demonstrate how sport can serve as a powerful platform for connection and wellbeing. It will use Homecoming traditions, such as game day and tailgating to reflect social work values and to illustrate the connection between sport and social work. Additionally, the session will discuss current sport social work initiatives at the College of Social Work. Through the efforts of the International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health and the Sport Social Work Research Lab, the College is pioneering innovations in research (e.g., college student-athlete mental health), teaching (e.g., DSW Concentration), and service (e.g., community-based practicums)

Read additional details and terms here

Register Here
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Tailgate Tent Party (with UKAA)

October 18, 2025
Location: Tobacco Research Lawn - 1401 University Drive

Get ready to cheer at our Tailgate Tent Party as the Wildcats take on the Texas Longhorns! Enjoy tailgate food, along with exciting games, entertainment, giveaways and performances by the UK Cheerleaders and Pep Band.

Register Here

Check out the UK Alumni Association’s full Homecoming schedule for even more fun!

View Full Schedule

Questions?

Contact Anna Chalfant, Assistant Dean of Strategic Operations.

Learning Objectives:

(1) Define sport social work as a subspecialty within the social work profession;

(2) Explain the connection between the traditions and values of Homecoming at the University of Kentucky with core social work values to leverage the power of sport in promoting community and fostering a sense of belonging;

(3) Describe the strategic initiatives of the College of Social Work to advance sport social work through research, teaching, and service.

Target Audience:

College of Social Work alumni, students, faculty, and staff

Instructor Bios:

Dr. Carlyn (Carly) Kimiecik is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, where she also serves as the Assistant Director of the Sport Social Work Research Lab. Carly explores the experiences of youth and student-athletes at the intersections of health, wellbeing, and development. Using strength-based and community-engaged approaches, she aims to understand how the social work profession can effectively collaborate in these areas. Outside of academia, Carly has over ten years of experience in youth programming and college athletics.

Anne Stauffer is a first-year Ph.D. student at the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work. She serves as a Research Assistant in UK’s Sport Social Work Research Lab where her work focuses on college athlete mental health. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College. She is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and is a Certified Social Worker in the state of Kentucky.

Dr. Tarkington J Newman is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, where they serve as Director of the Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL) and Co-Director of the International Institute for Sport & Behavioral Health. Dr. Newman is committed to serving youth populations (ages 10-24) through research focused on promoting healthy youth development through sport. Outside of academia, Dr. Newman has served as a high school track and field coach for nearly 15 years.

Credits: 1.0 general continuing education credits

Fees: No charge

Registration deadline: October 15, 2025

Refund and cancellation policy: N/A

ACE Approval Statement:

University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 general continuing education credits.

Course Completion Requirements:

To receive credit for this course, you must be present for the length of the session and submit a course evaluation.

Certificate Issuance:

Certificates will be issued once attendance has been verified by our Office of Professional Development and Continuing Education. Please allow 14 days for attendance verification to be completed and certificates to be issued. If you have not received your certificate by October 30, 2025, please contact Christina Krantz (christina.krantz@uky.edu).

Contact information for requesting accessibility accommodations or questions / concerns: Contact Anna Chalfant