Alumni Newsletter: Winter 2023

Alumni Spotlights, Homecoming Highlights, and More

Greetings CoSW Alumni!

I hope this message finds you well and safe.

First, I want to share how extremely excited I am to send you this email as it represents an important milestone for the College of Social Work (CoSW).

As part of our Forward, Together Plan, we spent last summer conceptualizing new and innovative ways to engage our alumni. As a result of that work, we learned a lot of new strategies for engaging alumni. In turn, we took immediate action on what we learned. Here are but a few of these actions:

The list goes on.

Of course, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our alumni who have participated in the engagement survey, network, and other activities. Your insight and investment have been instrumental in advancing our alumni efforts.

As we continue to actualize our strategic priorities, your input will be vital. Said simply, we will need your help. I look forward to connecting with you about new alumni initiatives and news from CoSW.

As always, I welcome your input and offer my support. If there is anything that I can do for you, please email me at Justin.Miller1@uky.edu. Or, you can reach me by phone at (859) 257-5740. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please email Xana Plum at xana.plum@uky.edu.

Always remember, never forget: SOCIAL WORK WAS BUILT FOR THIS.

J. Jay Miller, Ph.D., MSW, CSW

Dean and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education, College of Social Work
Acting Director, UK Online

University of Kentucky

Twitter: @DrJayMiller1

Recipient of Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence Award

Recipient of Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award

The College of Social Work celebrated August and December 2022 graduates at a Graduation Reception on December 15 and at Commencement as well as the UK Alumni Association’s Grad Gathering on December 16.

Congratulations to these graduates, and welcome to membership in SWAA! We look forward to your continued contributions to the college and to the field of social work.

James, a retired Marine Corps veteran and Associate Director for VA Lexington Health Care System completed his Ph.D. program in December 2022.

Janet graduated from UK College of Social Work with a BASW in 1981. She returned to the college in 2004 as an instructor.

Is your organization interested in potentially hosting College of Social Work students for their field internships? Internships provide students with learning opportunities in real practice settings while also contributing to organizational goals and community needs. Our programs prepare students for social work careers in nonprofits, government, education, business, and higher education.

If you or your organization is interested, please email us at coswfield@uky.edu!

Wildcat Network is the place to be for CoSW Alumni!

Connect with CoSW alumni across the globe, stay engaged with UK, and access a wide array of alumni benefits including networking, mentoring, special events, alumni opportunities, and more.

Launched in 2022, the College of Social Work Alumni Association, or SWAA, is comprised of all Wildcats who have successfully completed a degree program in the college. SWAA aims to provide opportunities for alumni engagement, including communication regarding college initiatives, in-person and virtual events, and more!

SWAA hosted in-person and virtual homecoming celebrations in October 2022. Tap the button below to explore event photos, highlights, and more.

The SWAA Executive Advisory Committee was established in October 2022 with a roster of seven exceptional members.

The Spring 2023 SWAA Alumni-Student Mentoring Program has officially begun! With more than 165 participants, we know the future is looking bright.

Scott Brawley, MSW Class of 1999, currently serves as the Director of Development, Policy, and Programs for the American Academy of HIV Medicine in Washington, D.C.

Morgan Culver Fields, BASW Class of 2011 and MSW Class of 2013, serves as the BSW Program Director at Augusta University and recently saw the program through CSWE Reaffirmation (results available June 2023). Morgan is currently pursuing an EdD with a higher education focus at the University of North Georgia.

Erin Harrell, MSW Class of 2022, has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel for service to Kentucky veterans, first responders, and their families through the non-profit they co-founded, Veteran's Club, Inc.

Jessica Hill, BASW Class of 2008 and MSW Class of 2010, has a labradoodle, Patterson (named after former UK men’s basketball player Patrick Patterson), that was recently certified as a therapy dog. Patterson accompanies Jessica daily to work at Mt. Zion High School in Central Illinois. Additionally, they are both members of their county crisis response team.

Jennifer Mosley, MSW Class of 2022, serves as the inaugural social worker for the UK HealthCare Population Health Service and is currently pursuing a DSW at the UK College of Social Work.

Angela Mudd, BASW Class of 1975, recently relocated their 40-year psychotherapy practice to 1517 Nicholasville Road in Lexington.

Ross Noffsinger, MSW Class of 2021, currently serves as a Social Work Intern with the U.S. Army.

Jonathan Trauth, MSW Class of 2005, is the Interim Director of the Social Work program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Central State University.