DSW Candidate – Mickayla Mason, 4:00 PM-5:15 PM
$0.00
Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2025 Event!
Addressing Educational Disparities: Retention and Recruitment of Social Work Students in Appalachia
DSW Candidate – Mickayla Mason, BASW, MSW
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
4:00 PM-5:15 PM Eastern Time Zone
Credit Hours: This session is not eligible for CE credit.
Description
Addressing Educational Disparities: Retention and Recruitment of Social Work Students in Appalachia
This Capstone Presentation examines a holistic approach to improving the retention and recruitment of social work students in Appalachia. A synthesis of the current literature identifies barriers to education specific to Appalachian students, including socioeconomic challenges, cultural stigma of higher education and the profession of social work, and limited access to resources. Evidence-based strategies in social work recruitment and retention efforts address these issues but must be adapted to integrate culturally relevant strategies to target Appalachian students.
The conceptual solution includes a focus on three integrated approaches: culturally relevant curricula which reflects the values and experiences of Appalachian communities, financial and academic support systems to reduce barriers to student success, and robust community engagement efforts to build stronger connections between Appalachian communities, students, and the profession of social work. These approaches, supported by systems theory, aim to highlight the current barriers to education and provide actionable solutions to improve retention and recruitment of social work students in the Appalachian region. Aligning social work education with the unique needs of Appalachian communities can reduce stigma related to social work and Appalachian culture and enhance community investment by retaining educated social workers in the area.
This presentation provides attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how addressing systemic barriers can support and strengthen the Appalachian region, thus ensuring educational equity and rural development.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Examine key factors that influence low retention and recruitment rates among social work students in Appalachia and how these factors impact student success.
- Demonstrate how the integration of financial, academic, and community-based support systems can help overcome barriers in student retention in Appalachian social work programs.
- Identify culturally relevant teaching strategies and practices that can enhance the academic experience for Appalachian social work students to increase recruitment and retention.
Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing
Credit Hours: This session is not eligible for CE credit.
Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.
Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/22-9/29/25. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.
Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.
Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.
