This article was originally published in UKNow.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 4, 2024) — Matt Moore, Ph.D., associate dean of student and academic affairs in the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky, has been elected president of the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS).
He will serve a two-year term.
ASWIS is an international organization dedicated to integrating social work principles into sports, focusing on athlete well-being and supporting professionals in the industry. It’s the only global group addressing the unique needs of athletes and the athletic community through the lens of social work.
Moore, a longtime member of ASWIS, has served in various leadership roles within the organization. As president, he plans to focus on expanding awareness and outreach for sport social work.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of ASWIS, which is a tremendous accomplishment unto itself,” Moore said. “This milestone presents an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and to envision the future of sport social work and the industry as a whole.”
Honored with the Sport Social Work Legacy award earlier this year, Moore’s innovative approaches and commitment to the field have been pivotal in advancing the profession. He is also the founder and editor of Sport Social Work Journal.
Looking ahead, Moore identified three key priorities for ASWIS. “I will focus on expanding educational opportunities at all levels, growing research to establish sports social work as an evidence-based entity, and building national and international partnerships to create internships, career opportunities and collaborations with organizations that can drive change in the sports world.”
Last month, the CoSW announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between ASWIS, the Sport Social Work Journal, and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab.
The collaborative is focused on leading research, teaching and outreach efforts that seek to promote the healthy development of athletes, coaches and communities. The CoSW is also home of the International Institute on Sport Social Work.
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