Student Life — Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science

The University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and Family Science does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual in educational programs and activities. Accordingly, while a program or activity may be focused on the needs or issues of a particular group, they are intended to be inclusive of all and any participant may benefit from attendance or participation in these programs and activities.

Kent School of Social Work and Family Science Student Association (KSSA)

The objective of the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science Students’ Association (KSSA) is to promote social work values as expressed in the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and to serve the general advancement of the Kent School of Social Work students. Learn more about KSSA here.

Social Work Living Learning Community

Our BSW staff and students at the new residence hall and Social Work Living Learning Community on Move in Day 2021.

llc 3 and bsw

Located in the Belknap Village North Residence Hall, the Social Work LLC brings together students who want to pursue a career in social work and/or those who want to join a supportive community agents.The LLC focuses on academic engagement, mentor support, peer connections and student involvement. It will offer opportunities to develop a wide range of social, professional and community experiences. Learn more about the Social Work LLC here.

New Student Orientation

2021 Fall student orientation event on Shelby and Belknap Campus'

Each Fall we host a full day Student Orientation for all students attending the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. You will have the opportunity to come to campus and meet faculty, staff, and students. In addition to having the opportunity to tour campus, there are typically activities, discussions, alumni panels, and messages given by faculty and administrators to welcome you to the Kent School.

Student Activities and Events

Kent students are involved in a variety of events both virtual and in person, in the classroom, community, and on campus. Learn more about campus events here.	Past student events and activities below.
	Kentucky Youth Advocates Blueprint Legislative Summit Pictured from left are Prof Edgardo Mansilla and current students, Aaron Clark, who is in Practicum at KYA and Liz Perkins, who is in practicum at LaCasita Center. On the right, pictured with Prof Larry Michalczyk, are former Kent school grads Cortney Downs & Mara Powell, both of whom completed their practicums at KYA and are now on staff there as children’s advocates.
	Kent Policy Students Class Presentation Former Kent grad Jenessa Bryan, addressed Kent policy students about her international social work experience with SOS Villages Inc, the United Nations & UNICEF and now The Civil Society Forum to End Violence Against Children
	Kent Policy students attend CLOUT Community Problem Assembly Kent Policy students Janet Buntain, Lizzie Odom and Cortney Foster attended the Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together (CLOUT) Community Problem Assembly last night with Larry Michalczyk and Rev Cindi Weber from Jefferson Street Baptist Community at Liberty. CLOUT will continue its social justice work by focusing on Affordable Housing, Restorative Justice in the Schools and Mental Health and Substance Abuse. A new area of focus was added, Senior Concerns.
	"The Epidemic of College Sexual Assault in the Age of #METOO" presentation and discussion Students watched excerpts of the documentary "The Hunting Ground" and followed with an engaging discussion and group activities about sexual assault in college and potential advocacy responses.
	Dr. Shawnise Miller's Social Justice Practice Class MSSW students in Dr. Shawnise Miller's Social Justice Practice (SW 603) were hard at work on Election Day 2018 volunteering with "Get Out the Vote" efforts at the Louisville Branch of NAACP and Kentuckian's for the Commonwealth of Louisville, Louisville Office.
	Kent Policy Students Class Presentation Val Farsetti, MSW, AASW presented to Kent policy students on her micro and macro sustainable health work in Belize, Chile, Kenya and China.
	Advanced Macro Practice class Khaki Fox, CEO of Danconias Tasteful Gifts That Matter, visited students in Liz Martins’ Advanced Macro Practice classes on October 25, 2018. Students learned about this successful public-private partnership that is part of the “business for purpose movement” and works in partnership with the Ready to Work program at Bridge House. The Bridge House website describes the Ready to Work program as “a ‘work-first’ solution to homelessness and the only model of its kind in Colorado transforming lives and communities through the power of opportunity.”
	Hallie Decker, MSSW student, Poster Presentation at Research!Louisville MSSW student Hallie Decker presented a poster at Research! Louisville as part of her practicum placement on October 10th at the Kosair Charities Clinical and Translational Research Building on UofL’s Health Sciences Campus. Hallie, supervised by Susan Sawning, presented a poster overviewing the eQuality Project at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and the forthcoming eQuality Toolkit, a clinical skills manual for medical students and health practitioners wishing to learn about inclusive practice with LGBTQ+ populations in healthcare settings. Research!Louisville is an annual celebration of health-related research that promotes excellence and public awareness of health sciences.