LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky has named Shelita Jackson, DSW, director of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program and clinical assistant professor, as a recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Teaching Award—one of the institution’s highest honors recognizing excellence in instruction and student mentorship.
Jackson will be formally recognized during the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) awards ceremony on Thursday, April 30, at 1:00 p.m. in 121 Jacobs Science Building.
This prestigious award celebrates faculty who demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in the classroom and make a lasting impact on students through mentorship, innovation and engagement. For Jackson, that impact is rooted in a deeply relational approach to teaching.
“I’ve always believed that relationships are the foundation of change,” Jackson said. “When students feel seen, supported and challenged in the right ways, they don’t just become stronger professionals — they become stronger advocates, leaders and healers.”
Appointed BASW Director of Undergraduate Studies in 2024, Jackson has built a reputation for fostering a relationship-centered learning environment that supports both academic and professional growth. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, including the recent launch of a Substance Use Counseling undergraduate training program. The program equips students with evidence-informed practices and expands workforce capacity to address substance use across Kentucky.
Her mentorship has also received national recognition. Earlier this year, Jackson was honored with a Mentor Recognition Award at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Conference. Jackson also received the Lyman T. Johnson Catalyst Award during the 4th Annual Legacy Dinner and Awards hosted by the MLK Center.
Jackson’s recognition reflects the College of Social Work’s unwavering commitment to excellence in instruction, where rigorous, relationship-centered teaching prepares students to lead meaningful change across communities, systems and professions.
Among this year’s Outstanding Teaching Award nominees was Diane Loeffler, Ph.D., senior lecturer in the College of Social Work. Loeffler, who previously received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2020, was recognized again for her continued excellence in teaching and her commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world impact.
Together, these recognitions underscore the strength of the College’s faculty and their dedication to shaping the next generation of social work and criminal justice professionals.