Four of Newman’s Master of Social Work students attended the Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference this spring, one of the largest gatherings in the field.
The nearly 3,000-attendee conference included Newman’s graduate students Lauryn Goode, Rachel Breaux, Rebecca Honeyman and Tera Moore.
Yelando Johnson, Ed.D., LMSW, MBA, associate professor, division chair and director of the Master of Social Work program, attended with the students. She said the trip reflects Newman’s commitment to connecting students with a national-level learning experience.
“This is the second year our MSW students have had the opportunity to attend,” Johnson said. “It aligns closely with our program’s emphasis on behavioral health, trauma-informed care and workforce development.”
Beyond the classroom
With Newman’s MSW program being fully online, the trip provided a rare opportunity for students and faculty to connect in person, said Johnson.
“One of the students who attended traveled from Kansas City, making this experience especially meaningful in building connection and community beyond the virtual classroom,” she said.
The conference offers a wide range of sessions on trauma-informed practice, behavioral health interventions, diversity and social justice and emerging trends in the field of social work. Students attended workshops, presentations and networking events with professionals and peers from across the country.
Johnson said the experience is directly tied to maintaining the program’s standards, as the Council on Social Work Education establishes the required terms for accredited social work programs in the United States, including Newman’s.
“Attending the conference helps ensure our program remains aligned with current standards, strengthens our curriculum and supports continuous improvement,” she said.
Students also worked several hours during the conference to help offset registration costs, an opportunity, Johnson said, that created additional ways for them to be engaged closely with others in the field.
Transformative for the students
For Rachel Breaux, attending the conference was both professionally and personally impactful for her as a student.
“I originally came to Newman’s MSW program with the intent of becoming the support and advocate I needed as a child,” Breaux said. “As I’ve moved through the program, that purpose has grown into wanting to use trauma-informed approaches to advocate for at-risk and marginalized populations.”
Having attended the conference previously, Breaux said she approached this year’s experience with greater confidence.
“The energy was vibrant, inclusive and genuinely welcoming,” she said. “There was a clear sense of intention throughout the space.”
One of the most meaningful moments for Breaux was attending a panel on neurodivergence in social work.
“It helped me realize my own neurodivergence is not a weakness,” she said. “It’s a strength that I can lean into as I move forward in this field.”
The conference also reinforced Breaux’s sense of purpose and belonging in the field.
“I left feeling more empowered and courageous,” she said. “Social work is exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Learn about the MSW program
The MSW program provides a personalized & supportive educational experience, both in the classroom and through Field Education.
