EKU Social Work

10/01/2026

We love our social worker students!

09/16/2026

My name is Professor Stephanie Saulnier and I am an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University. I am working on an important research project, and we are looking for some courageous volunteers!

Our research is regarding former foster youth who are currently on or have previously used the Foster Adoption Tuition waiver.
To participate you must: be at least 18 years of age and a current or graduated student at a four-year university who has used the Foster Adoptive Tuition waiver.

The goal is to examine the factors that contribute to progress and retention towards graduation amongst undergraduate students who utilize the Foster and Adoptive Tuition waiver. We are focusing on how you received information regarding the waiver, how you feel that information played a role in your decision to utilize aid and attend post-secondary education, and your perception of the impact of the waiver on your persistence towards graduation.

This is completely voluntary and confidential. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for an individual interview to discuss your answers in more depth. This research has been approved by the IRB at EKU 7176. I have attached the QR code and below is the link to the survey.

We are hoping you will help us make a change and positive impact on graduation outcomes for former foster youth. For any questions or concerns you can reach out to me at [email protected].
Thank you for considering and we look forward to hearing from you!

09/13/2026

Here is a chance to tell your professors how much you appreciate them!

At Eastern Kentucky University, we’re lucky to have faculty and staff who go above and beyond to make our campus feel like home.

At the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning, we want to cultivate a culture of gratitude where every faculty member is recognized and celebrated for transforming students’ lives through excellence in teaching, mentoring, and community-building.

Through our Thank-A-Professor program, students can send a note of gratitude to a faculty or staff member who has made a difference in your journey.

Want to know more about the Thank-A-Professor Program? Check it out here!
🔗: https://www.eku.edu/in/guides/thank-a-professor-program/

06/29/2026

Important news about the federal definition of “professional degree.”

⚖️ Important Update for Social Work Education

A federal court has preliminarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's attempt to remove social work from its definition of a "professional degree."

Had the rule taken effect, social work students could have lost access to the higher federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits available to students in professional degree programs. The court found that the Department likely exceeded its authority by changing a definition that Congress had already incorporated into law.

While this decision does not reverse new federal student loan caps enacted by Congress or restore the Grad PLUS Loan program, it does prevent the Department from unilaterally excluding social work and other professions from the definition of "professional degree" while the case proceeds.

SSWR believes social work is unequivocally a profession requiring rigorous graduate education, supervised practice, and licensure. We remain committed to advocating for equitable access to federal student aid and ensuring social work is recognized alongside other licensed professions.

🔗 Learn more here:https://tinyurl.com/y2sspsmf

04/22/2026

Dr. George Ashley and MSW Graduate Assistant Shaine Kerns were the keynote speakers at this year's Stop the Hurt, Child Abuse Conference in Tupelo, Mississippi. Shaine reflected, "Having the opportunity to speak alongside Dr. Ashley allowed me to step into a professional space where learning, leadership, and real‑world impact came together in a powerful way. Engaging directly with child welfare professionals deepened my understanding of the field and helped me see how academic work connects to the lived experiences of families and communities."

04/22/2026

go.eku.edu/give-SocialWork
Your donation will help students get access to Tevera is one of the most practical ways to help. Think of it as the digital backbone of a social work practicum. It’s where students track every single hour they spend in the field, manage their clinical assessments, and stay in constant contact with their supervisors.

For a student already balancing a job and a family, having this license paid for isn't just a financial relief, it’s a professional necessity that keeps their graduation on track.
At the end of the day, social work is about meeting people where they are. EKU’s online program does exactly that for its students, and tools like Tevera ensure that when those students finally graduate, they are organized, ethical, and ready to hit the ground running.
--Brandi Evans

04/22/2026

Today is a GREAT day to donate to EKU Department of Social Work. Your donation will be used to support the financial needs of students in their practicum placements. go.eku.edu/give-SocialWork

Practicum is transformative, but it also brings financial strain. Required tools like ELC/Tevera can be a real barrier for students already stretched thin. When donors help cover these costs, they’re not just funding software, they’re supporting students completing hundreds of unpaid hours, reducing stress, and strengthening the future social work workforce.
--Kayla Hhaihen

04/17/2026

On EKU's upcoming Giving Day on 4/22/2026, you can make a donation to directly support EKU Department of Social Work BSW and MSW students — please click go.eku.edu/give-SocialWork to donate.

03/30/2026

Fellow Social Workers,

You are invited to participate in a research study examining workplace experiences and burnout among female social workers. This study is being conducted by Alisha Hall, a graduate student at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.

Participation is open to female social workers, age 18 or older. The survey is anonymous, takes approximately 8-10 minutes to complete, and is being conducted for academic research purposes.

If you choose to participate, please click the link below:

https://forms.gle/RK4y14VEn8Znvg55A
Your participation is completely voluntary, and you may stop the survey at any time. No identifying information will be collected

Dear Participant, My name is Alisha Hall, and I am a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois under the supervision of Dr. Alicia Watkins, who can be reached at [email protected]. I am conducting a research study examining workpl...

03/02/2026

March is National Social Work Month and the NASW theme for this year is Uplift.Defend.Transform. This past Friday, we kicked off the month with our annual Social Work Day. More than 200 social workers and other mental health professionals came together to renew our commitment to ethical practice and celebrate the amazing work being done in our programs and communities. hashtag