In late October, six Newman University students, two faculty and a staff member traveled to Kansas City for one of the largest gatherings of social work educators and practitioners in the U.S.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) annual conference, themed “It’s Time to Act: Indigenous Knowledge Sovereignty and Environmental Justice,” gave students Rachel Breaux, Tera Garner, Jenna Giefer, Lauryn Goode, Theresa Thomas and Sapira Walker an experience they won’t soon forget.
The CSWE, the national accrediting body for social work, plays a central role in guiding social work programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s level, according to its website. The conference brought students and professionals together to exchange ideas, explore the latest research and best practices, provide resources and examine emerging trends in the field. Students chose from a variety of more than 50 workshops and hands-on sessions each day, with no shortage of valuable information.
The conference was held less than three hours from campus for the first time in 25 years. The Dean of the School of Education and Social Work Jessica Bird eagerly approved the opportunity for social work students to attend alongside professors Yelando Johnson and Vanessa Rials and staff member Karen Noel.
“For me, the students’ attendance was energizing and inspirational,” said Johnson, Ed.D., LMSW, MBA, who serves as director of Newman’s Master of Social Work program and an associate professor and division chair for social work. “The conference gave them tools and techniques they can apply to their course work, field practicums and future practice.”
The conference helped connect Newman faculty to their students, some of whom are remote. It also provided students with opportunities to experience insights into diverse career paths and form mentorships.
Affirmed her ‘why’ in social work
Garner, who works at a mental health crisis center in Wichita, is a first-year student of the Newman Master of Social Work program. After working there for three years and a traumatic loss, she chose to return to school. She picked Newman University at the suggestion of a few former students who spoke highly of the program.
“I want to be the best social worker I can be and for me, that starts with learning everything that I can,” Garner said. “At Newman, they are truly there to see you succeed and will push you to be your best.”
Garner said, at the conference “I was surrounded by hundreds of individuals who were more comfortable and better dressed than I was. I had to remind myself (with the help of my family) that clothing does not make a professional nor does it make me less deserving of being there and learning from the speakers.”
At Newman, they are truly there to see you succeed and will push you to be your best.
Tera Garner
She and her fellow Newman social work students participated in four service hours during the four-day conference. Garner said she enjoyed problem-solving at the on-site information help desk.
Garner was reminded that “no matter your past, you are in control of the future you make for yourself.”
She also learned that her difficult past is not a weakness but a strength that will add to her impact as a social worker.
“I hope to attend again next year,” Garner said.
Enhancing Newman’s social work program
This also was staff member Noel’s first experience attending the conference.
“With over 12 years of dedicated service in the social work department, we affectionately refer to her as our ‘honorary’ social worker,” Johnson said. “Karen’s extensive experience and commitment to our program have made her a vital part of our team. Her participation highlights her professional growth and benefits our entire program and its mission to support students and the community.”
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