LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is inviting nominations for its annual student awards, recognizing outstanding achievement across academic excellence, leadership, experiential learning and service. Award recipients will be honored during the College’s 2026 Annual Recognition Celebration.
All students registered for at least one course during the 2025–26 academic year are eligible to be nominated. CoSW faculty, staff, practicum supervisors and students may submit nominations here.
The deadline to nominate is May 1, 2026.
“CoSW students are at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Kayla Powell, Director of Student Experience and Engagement. “These awards give us a meaningful way to recognize the students who are leading with integrity, showing up for their communities and representing the mission of the College in powerful ways.”
Celebrating student excellence
Each year, CoSW recognizes students at every level of study — from undergraduate to graduate and doctoral — as well as those demonstrating exceptional impact through hands-on learning and service. Award categories include:
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student — recognizes an undergraduate (BASW or BA/BSCJ) student who exemplifies excellence in academic achievement, leadership, experiential learning and commitment to the mission of CoSW.
- Outstanding Graduate Student — recognizes a graduate student (MSW or MSCJ) who exemplifies excellence in academic achievement, leadership, experiential learning and commitment to the mission of CoSW.
- Outstanding Doctoral Student — recognizes a doctoral student (DSW or Ph.D.) who exemplifies excellence in academic achievement, leadership and commitment to the mission of CoSW.
- Experiential Learning Student of the Year — honors a student demonstrating exceptional growth, initiative and impact through practicum, internships, service-learning, research or community engagement.
- Dean’s Outstanding Service Award — recognizes a student selected by the dean for exceptional service and meaningful contributions that enhance the student experience and strengthen the CoSW community.
Recognizing leaders from 2025
The College launched its student awards in 2025, celebrating recipients whose accomplishments reflect CoSW’s values and impact. At the 2025 Annual Recognition Celebration, Jordin Williams received the Dean’s Outstanding Service Award, recognized for service and leadership within the College community. Additional student honorees included Shawn Hunter (Outstanding Undergraduate Student), Brianna Hinton (Outstanding Graduate Student), Dr. Lila Elliott (Outstanding Doctoral Student) and Olivia Stanley (Experiential Learning Student of the Year). The College also recognized CPT Amanda Veen with the Army MSW Program Award.
CoSW will continue that tradition in 2026 by recognizing students whose work reflects a holistic standard of excellence — including academic performance, leadership, commitment to the values of social work and criminal justice, service to the College or community, and professionalism and integrity.
CoSW faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations by May 1, 2026. Self-nominations are welcome.
For questions about the nomination process, contact Dr. Kayla Powell, director of Student Experience and Engagement, at kayla.powell@uky.edu.