I hope this message finds you WELL.
As we welcome our most recent December graduates to our alumni community, I am reminded of the incredible investment, innovation, and commitment of our College of Social Work Alumni Association (SWAA).
This year, marked by significant milestones and meaningful growth, has reinforced our collective mission to drive impactful change in the fields of social work and criminal justice. In the spirit of our mantra Moving Forward, Giving Back, we have remained committed to our core values, and focused on our main priorities. Here are but a few of the things SWAA accomplished this year:
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We launched our CoSW Everywhere Campaign with alumni events in Kentucky, Texas, and Missouri, among others.
- We successfully matched 100% of our student and alumni applicants for SWAA-Alumni Student Mentoring Program.
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We honored the significant contributions of CoSW alumni, including Shericka Smith (DSW, 2022) who won the Lyman T. Johnson Award and Willis Bright (BASW, 1966), who will be inducted into the UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2025.
- We celebrated the 50th anniversary of the BASW program’s accreditation, reflecting on decades of excellence and innovation in social work education.
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And the list goes on.
Moving forward we resolve to stay laser-focused on our mission to cultivate a generation of students with the tools to make substantive impact across Kentucky and beyond. Our momentum is strong, our ambitions are bold, and I invite each of you – our esteemed alumni – to join us as we continue to drive innovation, amplify our reach, and elevate our legacy.
For more information about how to get involved with CoSW or SWAA, please contact Seth Bailey, Assistant Director of Strategic Operations, Alumni Engagement via email at seth.ethan.bailey@uky.edu.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or celebrations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at Justin.Miller1@uky.edu (with copy to Xana.Plum@uky.edu).
Lastly, if you have some important news and want to share a significant personal or professional milestone, please submit to CoSW Class Notes. We would love to hear from you.
Always remember and never forget: YOU WERE BUILT FOR THIS!
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Dr. Justin "Jay" Miller, PhD, MSW, CSW
Dean & Dorothy Miller Research Professor | Director, Self-Care Lab
College of Social Work
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Your stories in the SWAA are the fuel behind the work we do at CoSW.
Thank you for your dedication to the field, to humanity, and to the world!
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Lori Lazzari:
School Social Worker of the Year |
Lori Lazzari, an esteemed member of the SWAA, was recently named Kentucky Social Worker of the Year by the Kentucky Association of School Social Work (KASSW).
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| Stephanie Ratliff:
PhD Graduate and Field Education Leader |
Stephanie Ratliff is a recent PhD graduate and Acting Director of the Field Education Program at CoSW.
As a leader in field education, Ratliff shares that she's 'so glad she listened to the calling' to complete her PhD.
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| Olymphia O'Neale-White:
NASW Emerging Social Worker of the Year |
O’Neale-White was presented with her award on Juneteenth during the 2024 NASW National Conference in Washington, D.C.
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The legacy of Lyman T. Johnson (LTJ) lives on through UK's
Annual LTJ Awards Ceremony. Join us in celebrating this year's CoSW awardees! |
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| Recipient of the Lyman T. Johnson
Torch of Excellence Award |
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| Recipient of the Lyman T. Johnson
Torch Bearer Award
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On September 26, 2024, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work held its highly anticipated Annual Recognition Event, honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of faculty, staff, alumni and students.
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SWAA Awards were presented to the following outstanding individuals and organizations:
Outstanding Field Instructor Award: Carissa Sietsema
Outstanding Field Agency Award: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors
SWAA Mentor of the Year Award: LaKeith Sutton
Rising Star in Social Work Award: La’Shardae Scott
Alumni Excellence Award: Mahjabeen Rafiuddin
The SWAA Executive Advisory Council for the 2023-2024 academic year was also recognized for their invaluable contributions to the College:
Xavier Chavez, Jennifer Hancock, Taha Kozak, Abigail Latimer, Devonia Love-Vaughn, Timothy Olsen, Shericka Smith, and Shawndaya Thrasher.
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Willis Bright, BASW 1966
Inducted into the UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni |
Willis Bright, a trailblazer and mentor known as "The Oracle," has been inducted into the 2025 UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni. A 1966 CoSW graduate and the first African-American to earn the Algernon Sullivan Medallion, his lifelong commitment to uplifting underrepresented communities inspires future generations.
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100% of student and alumni applicants were successfully matched in our 2025 Spring program! |
Launched in the fall of 2022, the SWAA created this program to help both students and alumni feel more connected to CoSW, as well as provide mentees with an opportunity to learn from an alumnus with experience and expertise in the field.
Achieving significant success after the program’s first and second years, enthusiasm and commitment continues to expand for both mentors and mentees alike, creating lasting connections and valuable learning opportunities.
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The College of Social Work celebrated August and December graduates at the UK Alumni Association's Grad Gathering and a Graduation Celebration on December 20th.
Congratulations to these graduates, and welcome to the SWAA!
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Faculty and staff conducted more than 20 juried presentations during the APM, sharing research, innovative practices and thought leadership.
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Antonio Garcia was honored with the CSWE Social Work Excellence Award during the Minority Fellowship Program Gala.
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Student research took center stage during the APM, highlighting the innovative work of future leaders addressing critical societal challenges. |
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We are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program’s accreditation with a series of ongoing events. This milestone honors five decades of excellence in social work education and highlights the profound impact our alumni, faculty, and students have made on communities across Kentucky and beyond.
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Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition.
If you are interested in working with us, please see our open positions!
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Arty Fitzpatrick, MSW 2023
Arty found joy helping students obtain accessible education during an MSW practicum at UK’s Disability Resource Center. They now serve as the staff coordinator for the Neurodiverse Educational and Social Initiative (NESI) at UK and work as a Disability Accommodations Consultant.
Michael Hubbard, MSW 1975
Michael retired after a successful career, including 20 years with Grady Hospital Health System and 17 years with the Department of Defense. He credits the University of Kentucky’s School Social Work program for providing him the foundation for his achievements.
Tasha Kozak, MSW 2021
In November, Tasha was selected as a recipient of the Innovative Grant Award by the Florida Education Association and Hillsborough Educators Association. She plans to use this grant to launch a project aimed at improving student attendance in her role as a School Social Worker.
Ross Noffsinger, MSW 2021
Despite living with arthritis, Ross recently achieved a personal milestone by completing a 5K without stopping.
Chris Rakestraw, DSW 2023
In March 2024, Chris became the Director of Training at LifeSpring Health Systems, a comprehensive behavioral health and primary care agency serving southern Indiana. A product from his doctoral capstone will be published in the December 2024 edition of the Social Work and Christianity Journal.
Brittany Stanley, DSW 2022
Brittany was appointed chairman of the board for a new non-profit in Frankfort called the William Joseph Crisis Nursery. She also welcomed a new child, Max Alexander Stanley, on November 8, 2024.
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We want your feedback!
Complete this brief survey about the Winter 2025 SWAA Newsletter for a chance to receive CoSW swag!
Deadline to enter is February 21
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