CSWE Celebrates Successful 71st Annual Conference in Denver

News

Published on : November 10, 2025

CSWE Celebrates Successful 71st Annual Conference in Denver 

Almost 3,000 attendees from across the nation gathered in Denver on October 23–26 for the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 71st Annual Conference.  

This year’s conference theme, It’s Time to Act: Championing Disability Justice and Disability Joy in Social Work, offered a powerful call to action for the social work education community to embrace disability justice, celebrate disability joy, and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all levels of practice and education. 

Over four dynamic days, educators, practitioners, students, and advocates engaged in hundreds of sessions, networking events, e-poster sessions, and exhibits that showcased innovation and collaboration across the field.  

“The 2025 Annual Conference reaffirmed our collective commitment to inclusivity and action,” said CSWE President and CEO Dr. Halaevalu Vakalahi. “Disability justice and disability joy are not peripheral to our work—they are central to how we create not only a more compassionate and equitable profession, but a better world.” 

View photos from the event.

Pre-Conference Institutes 

Prior to the official start of the conference, CSWE hosted five Pre-Conference Institutes that provided in-depth learning opportunities for students, faculty, and practitioners:  

  • CSWE Center for Diversity Pre-Conference Institute: For faculty, students, and staff of social work programs, the Institute featured site visits that spotlight disability rights and creative expression. 

  • Leadership Development Institute: Sponsored by Noodle, this Institute was designed to help current and future social work leaders build environments where everyone wants to work. 

  • Field Education Institute: Sponsored by Noodle and Preferra, the Institute focused on issues related to disability justice in field education. 

  • Assessment Institute: Sponsored by Lumivero, this Institute targeted faculty and academic staff members focused on program experiences and best practices with assessment using the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. 

  • Student Summit: Sponsored by New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, the Student Summit aimed to develop a deeper understanding of leadership knowledge and skills for social work students as they prepare to enter careers as practitioners or scholars.   

Lectures and Plenaries 

The 2025 conference featured thought-provoking keynote sessions and lectures that inspired participants to reflect and act. 

  • The Opening Plenary brought together Drs. Vandana Chaudhry, Laura J. Wernick, and Shanna K. Kattari of the Social Work Justice League to explore the intersections of social work and disability justice, addressing the pervasiveness of ableism and highlighting pathways toward dismantling structural barriers. Watch the video. 

  • Dr. Cassandra Simon’s Carl A. Scott Memorial Lecture reminded social work educators of the importance of engaging with communities and preparing students to be active participants in creating meaningful change. View the slides. 

  • Dr. Augustina Naami of the University of Ghana delivered the Hokenstad International Lecture, issuing a collective call to action for social work educators to center disability justice and joy at the heart of teaching, practice, research, and advocacy. Watch the video. 

  • At the Futures of Social Work Plenary, the final keynote address of the conference, Lt. Gen. (retired) R. Scott Dingle challenged attendees to lay a strong foundation for future social work leaders. His message on leadership emphasized principles of adaptability, flexibility, resilience, and self-care—essential qualities for social workers and educators shaping the next generation of this important profession. 

Awards and Recognitions 

Throughout the conference, CSWE celebrated outstanding achievements across the social work education community, honoring educators, students, and programs for their impact on the profession.  

The annual Professional Awards, which are among CSWE’s highest honors, recognize outstanding educators and institutions for their significant contributions to social work education. This year’s winners included:  

  • Allan Barsky, PhD, JD, MSW, professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Sandler School of Social Work, received the Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education Award. 

  • Tyler M. Argüello, PhD, DCSW, a scholar-activist-leader with more than 30 years in social work focused on community mental health, HIV, and 2LGBTQIANPK+ communities, received the Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award. Dr. Argüello is a professor at the California State University, Sacramento. 

  • Sherron Wilkes, DSW, MSW, the BSW Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama School of Social Work received the  Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education Award. 

  • Lisa Reyes Mason, PhD, MSW, social worker, scholar, educator, and advocate for climate justice, received the Established Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education Award. Dr. Mason is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. 

  • University of Michigan School of Social Work received the Field Education/Practicum Excellence in Innovation Award for advancing equity for students with disabilities through accessible and inclusive field education practices.  

Additionally, CSWE recognized the winners of this year’s Commissions and Councils Awards, and bestowed the Annual Conference Location Awards.  

Thanks to Our Sponsors 

The annual conference would not have been possible without the generosity of our premier sponsors! With deep gratitude we thank each sponsor: 

  • Preferra Insurance Company RRG 

  • University of Kentucky College of Social Work 

  • The University of Tennessee College of Social Work 

  • The University of Utah College of Social Work 

  • The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work 

  • The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work 

  • Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences 

  • The Ohio State University College of Social Work 

  • Rutgers University School of Social Work 

  • Boston College School of Social Work 

  • University of Georgia School of Social Work 

  • University of Central Florida School of Social Work 

  • University of North Carolina School of Social Work 

  • University of Washington School of Social Work 

2026 Annual Conference Returns to Atlanta 

For the second time in three years, Atlanta will host CSWE's Annual Conference. The 2026 conference will take place October 22–25 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.  

Next year's conference theme, Rooted in Resilience: Honoring the Past, Grounding the Present, invites the social work education community to reflect on the enduring strength and adaptability of the profession, especially as we navigate times of transformation and challenge. RSVP for #CSWE26 today!