In order to stay compliant to best-practices in digital communication and also to ensure we don't miss out on sharing all the wonderful things happening with the CoSW SWAA - we've made a minor change to the format of this newsletter. 

We hope you enjoy!

Matt Moore, PhD, MSW
(He/him)
Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs
--
677 Patterson Office Tower Lexington, KY 40506
mamo320@uky.edu

In his role, Moore will oversee all aspects of academic and student affairs, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of curricula, student support services, and faculty assignments.

His extensive background in higher education, sports social work and administration will be instrumental in advancing the College’s mission of providing quality academic and professional experiences for students and faculty.

Jacquelynn F. Duron, PhD, LCSW
(She/Her/Ella)
Associate Professor and Dean of Faculty Advancement
--
619 Patterson Office Tower Lexington, KY 40506
jackie.duron@uky.edu

This role, which is new to CoSW, was announced by Dean Miller in 2023, and is part of the College’s Forward, Together Strategic Plan. 

Duron brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to this role. Most recently, Dr. Duron served as an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. At Rutgers, Duron led several research endeavors focused on resilience in children and adolescents exposed to adversity and trauma. Additionally, she served as a member of the Protection Committee for the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors Committee, and has been a governor-appointed member of the Child Advocacy Center Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board.

Kayla Powell
(She/Hers)
Director of Student Experience and Engagement (SEE)
--
639 Patterson Office Tower Lexington, KY 40506
kayla.powell@uky.edu

In this role, Kayla will be responsible for fostering a seamless, integrated educational journey consistent with academic and professional success. Powell has been part of the UK community for 15 years and is a PhD Candidate in UK’s Educational Policy Studies & Evaluation program.

Seth Bailey, MS, MA, MDiv
(He/him)
Assistant Director of Strategic Operations,
Alumni Engagement
--
640 Patterson Office Tower
seth.ethan.bailey@uky.edu

In this role, Seth will be responsible for leveraging his profound commitment to fostering community cohesion through education and service, ensuring a vibrant alumni spirit. His dedication to learning, evidenced by his Bachelor's degree, three Master's degrees, and current pursuit of a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, underscores his strategic approach to alumni engagement.

As Assistant Director of Strategic Operations in Alumni Engagement, Seth looks forward to engaging with alumni narratives and skillfully crafting them into globally resonant messages that highlight the pervasive impact of social work.

Following the success of its inaugural program in 2023, the Alumni-Student Mentoring Program just completed its second year.

As part of the college’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of social workers, this program fosters purposeful one-to-one relationships between  students and alumni that are pivotal in shaping the students’ academic and professional trajectories.

Make space for YOU this summer.

Participants are asked to complete a screener, submit a plan to meet their self-care goals, and create space for self-care in their daily lives.

The College of Social Work celebrated May and August 2024 graduates at the UK Alumni Association’s Grad Gathering and a Graduation Celebration on May 3rd.

Congratulations to these graduates, and welcome to membership in SWAA!

For 40 years, March has been officially designated as National Professional Social Work Month. During the month of March, CoSW celebrated the extensive reach of social work across various societal dimensions with the launch of our campaign, “Social Work is Everywhere.”

From hosting the Spring 2024 Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators Conference, to Dean Miller throwing the first pitch at a UK Baseball game, to the halls of the Kentucky State Capitol - the month was loaded with experiences to celebrate and honor the profound and expansive impact of social work in Kentucky and beyond.

Xavier Chavez 

Xavier Chavez earned a Bachelor of Social Work from New Mexico State University in 2020 and a Master of Social Work with a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2022. He is a CPI non-violent crisis intervention instructor and a master's-licensed school social worker in Gallup, New Mexico. He provides social-emotional support to K-12 students, coaches high school girls soccer, and officiates various sports.

Jennifer Hancock

Jennifer Hancock earned a BA and MSW from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work in 1996 and 1998, respectively. As President and CEO of Volunteers of America (VOA) Mid-States, she has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership and 15 years advancing VOA’s mission. Under her leadership, VOA has become a leader in family-focused opioid and addiction solutions, managing a $50 million budget and 650 professionals. Jennifer also chairs the Leadership Louisville Center and serves on various boards. She recently received the 2022 Business First Power 50 and Enterprising Women awards.

Tosha Kozak 

Tasha Kozak earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from New York University and a Master of Social Work and Graduate Certificate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work in 2021. Tasha continues to help isolated Malaga communities after finishing her graduate field placement at the Red Cross of Spain. Geriatric social work with Alzheimer's patients interests her.

Devonia Love-Vaughn 

Devonia Love-Vaughn earned her BA and MSW from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work in 1996 and 1997. She is pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Administration at Louisiana Tech University, where she became the first African-American female dean. Devonia leads inclusion initiatives and student success and is an adjunct in Human Development and Family Science. With 12 years in social work and higher education, she is dedicated to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Married to LaMonte Vaughn, Jr., they have a daughter, Brianna, at Louisiana Tech.

Tim Olsen 

Major Timothy Olsen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2012, a Master of Social Work from the Army's Fort Sam Houston program and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Moral Injury and Suicide Prevention in National Guard populations at the UK College of Social Work. Timothy is the Kentucky Army National Guard's Deputy State Surgeon and Director of Psychological Health after 20 years in the military as an enlisted soldier, treating trauma and substance use at Veterans Affairs hospitals in Kentucky and Tennessee. He has a Lexington part-time private practice.

Shericka Smith

Dr. Shericka Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology from Transylvania University, a Master of Science in Social Work with a concentration in School Social Work from the University of Louisville, and a Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work in 2022. Mental health coordinator for Fayette County Public Schools is Dr. Smith. She is a part-time instructor at the UK College of Social Work and provides mental health counseling at Wellness Within, PLLC.For fun, Dr. Smith travels and watches movies with her dog, Ellie Mae.

Shawndaya Thrasher 

Dr. Shawndaya Thrasher earned a BS in Criminal Justice from American InterContinental University in 2010, an MA in Criminology from the University of West Georgia in 2013, an MSW from the University of Georgia in 2016, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2021. She is an Assistant Professor at LSU, focusing on violence-related outcomes among marginalized populations. Dr. Thrasher received the 2022 LSU Black Women Empowerment Ally Award and the UK SWAA Rising Star in Social Work Award in fall 2023. She enjoys fashion, art, poetry, and travel.

Sabri Williams

Sabri Williams graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work with a BA in 2020 and an MSW in 2022. With over five years of experience in global aid, refugee resettlement, homeless intervention, healthcare, and disability services, she now works as a Clinical Research Coordinator. A former AmeriCorps NCCC member, Sabri has earned several awards, including the Dean's Service Award, Coast Guard Service Coin, and Congressional Service Medal. In 2023, she was a fellow at NASW California, working on initiatives for transition age youth and membership engagement.

Amanda Downing

Dr. Amanda Downing graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in 2010, an MSW in 2023, and a DSW in 2024. She volunteers as Director of Survivor Services for Night Owl Recon. Her career focuses on enhancing internal practices and policies to support staff and client services. Her recent research addresses improving child welfare organizational culture to boost staff retention.

In 1938, as the nation emerged from the Great Depression, the University of Kentucky (UK) Board of Trustees established its first Department of Social Work, led by Frances Jewell McVey, a former Dean of Women and English professor with a long-held dream of bringing social work education to UK.

Since then, CoSW has accomplished incredible milestones, and continues to actualize its mission.

Read more about our legendary beginnings and our latest milestones.

"Be part of something bigger and join the Field Education Network at CoSW! Your unique experiences and insights are essential in shaping the next generation of social work professionals. Together, we can continue to make a profound impact on our communities and beyond."

– Stephanie Ratliff, Assistant Director of Field Education

Ilese Brock Sabelhaus, BASW Class of 1995

Ilese Brock Anderson has been working in various leadership positions with individuals with IDD since 1997. She spent 14 years as a Residential Director at Stone Belt Arc, Inc. in Southern Indiana. In 2020, she earned her MBA from the University of Southern Indiana and was promoted to Executive Residential Director in 2021. In 2023, she returned to Kentucky to work at Cedar Lake, where she is the Executive Director of Cedar Lake Residences, providing leadership and direction to Cedar Lake's Medicaid waiver programs.

Stephanie Barton, MSW Class of 2002

Stephanie Barton recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of her private practice.

Sherry Bithell, MSW Class of 2023

Sherry Bithell is now in her third position since graduating. She has consistently worked with her chosen population: people with substance use disorders. She finds making a difference in others' lives truly rewarding and is glad she made a mid-life career change to earn her master's degree from the UK College of Social Work.

Angela Jamison, MSW Class of 2024

Angela Jamison delivered the commencement speech in December 2024 and didn't want to lose the momentum of feeling on top of the world. Since then, she has passed her licensure exam and is now dually licensed in Kentucky and Ohio. Despite the added qualifications, her life remains as busy as when she was a full-time student. Her five children still keep her occupied, and she continues to work in the same job she loved before starting the program, teaching and supporting foster and adoptive families and children. She measures success personally and feels fulfilled, even if externally, most things look the same.

Jan D. Jennings, MSW Class of 2005

Janis Jennings attended the University of Kentucky part-time while working full-time as a social worker. As an older student, she balanced her studies and career effectively. She resides in Lexington, KY, and has two grown children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She considers herself fortunate to have a loving family. Her interests include daily walking and enjoying the outdoors, along with spending time with her family.

Danielle Morgan, MSW Class of 2022

Danielle Morgan recently accepted a position as a psychotherapist for Cultivate Behavioral Health and Education. She will be eligible to take the LCSW exam in August 2024.

Olymphia O'Neale-White, DSW Class of 2023

Olymphia O'Neale-White has been selected as the NASW 2024 Emerging Leader in Social Work. She was awarded during the national conference on Juneteenth.

Chris Rakestraw, DSW Class of 2023

Chris Rakestraw recently started a new job as the Director of Training at LifeSpring Health Systems, a community mental health center located in Southern Indiana. He leads a team of clinical trainers and provides a variety of trainings to agency staff and community partners.

Jeannine Reynolds, BASW Class of 1961

Jeannine Reynolds believes the greatest benefit of her studies was awakening an interest in advocating for social justice. She has practiced this throughout her adult life, both professionally and personally. Most of her work has involved assisting people in poverty or unhealthy situations, which led to involvement in developing community resources. Her work was conducted through county agencies and community centers of the United Methodist Church.

Matthew Seifman, MSW Class of 2024

Thanks to the University of Kentucky, Matthew Seifman was able to get licensed and secure a job as a Foster Care Caseworker. However, he still hasn't mastered the use of SPSS.

Elizabeth S. Vincelli, BASW Class of 2020

Liz Vincelli is currently pursuing her MSW degree and anticipates graduating within the next couple of years. She looks forward to focusing solely on her career after completing her academic journey. Liz is approaching her four-year anniversary with New Vista this summer and feels fortunate to have amazing colleagues. She began as a State General Funds Case Manager serving IDD clients and has transitioned to a Crisis Case Manager. She is eager to see what the future holds for her career.

Beth Wahler, MSW Class of 2005, PhD Class of 2012

Dr. Wahler is an internationally recognized expert on library social work, library patrons' psychosocial needs, library staff needs, and trauma-informed librarianship. After tenured faculty and administrative roles at Indiana University and the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work, she left academia in 2023 to run her burgeoning library consulting business, Beth Wahler Consulting. She is co-host of the new podcast, Surviving the Stacks, aimed at providing support to library staff worldwide, and co-author of the book, Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High Needs Patrons.

Consider working with CoSW!

The College of Social Work is seeking an energetic and mission driven individual to secure private support for our students, faculty, and programs. This is an exciting time in the history of our college and one of exponential growth and service to our state. Consider becoming a member of our team!

We are looking for individuals with philanthropy experience as well as those whose skill set would be a great asset to our team.
Click the button below for more information and to apply

We want your feedback!

Complete this brief survey about the Summer 2024 SWAA Newsletter for a chance to receive CoSW swag!

Deadline to enter is August 16