Social Work Student Achievements

SOCIAL WORK PRIZE: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY 

This cash prize is awarded yearly to the social work major (or group of majors, up to 4 in a group) who can best express what celebrating diversity means in their personal experience. 

The purpose is to demonstrate the social work department's deliberate effort to increase our students' own sense of diversity and celebrate their individuality and difference.

2025 winners  

Sebastian Hess (BSW)

Oyinkansola Lawal (MSW)

2024 winners  

Tia Cooper (BSW)

Aleah Grimshaw (MSW)

  • 2024 Winners

    BSW

    Tia Cooper

    MSW

    Aleah Grimshaw

  • 2022 Winners

    BSW

    La-eleya Lopez

    MSW

    Celines Valerio

  • 2020 Winners

    BSW

    Sarah Rozany

  • 2018 Winners

    BSW

    Reanna Ventresca

    MSW

    Catherine Chovanes

  • 2016 Winners

    BSW 

    Katrina Danyluk

    MSW

    Mindi B. Musselman

  • 2014 Winners

    BSW

    Samantha Brannen

    Erin Bower

    MSW 

    Shanon Saddingto

  • 2012 Winners

    BSW

    Beth Adamo

    MSW 

    Cody Minn

  • 2010 Winners

    BSW

    Rachel Ackerman

    Sean Haggerly

    MSW 

    Amanda Keith

  • 2003-2008 Winners

    2008

    Christiana Weidner

    2007

    Naomi Deutschle

    John Spatig, Jr

    2006

    Paulina Donoso Bayas

    2005

    Maureen Bell

    2004

    Michele Forkin

    Melissa Schlechter

    2003

    Matthew Turner

professional Inventory Meeting Award

Established by the Kutztown University Department of Social Work to recognize two top students who perform the best during the Professional Inventory Meeting as rated by the Faculty members.  â€‹

The students are rated on 1) knowledge of social work, 2) quality of presentation, 3) preparation, organization and delivery of the presentation, and 4) use of examples to support concepts.

The winners receive a certificate of recognition and monetary award. Their names are also be recognized on the “Wall of Fame” in the Social Work Department.  â€‹

  • 1st place – $ 100.00 â€‹
  • 2nd place – $ 50.00 â€‹

School Social Work Grant

Sheryl McKlveen, DSW Student

Senator Judy Schwank and Dr. Kathy Metrick of Kutztown Strong

Sheryl McKlveen, DSW Student, acquired a $65,000 grant under Kutztown Strong to bring School Social Work to the area’s School Districts (October 16, 2020)

Noteworthy achievements

Student and Faculty member standing in front of presentation screen at conference

Doctor of Social Work Student Presents at Prestigious Conferences

Alice Fischer, a Doctor of Social Work student, and Dr. John Vafeas presented "Developing an Academic School Social Work Research Center: A Partnership with the Practice Community" at the annual program meeting of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Friday, Oct. 27, Atlanta, Ga. They also presented in October at the PA Chapter of the National Association of Social Work on "Do It for The Money! School Social Work Salary Trends and Economic Justice," a study of school social workers' salary trends in the state of Pennsylvania from 2015 to 2023.  

THE JULIA NATTLE ‘19 '20 STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE DIRECT SCHOLARSHIP

Established by a KU social work alumna Julia Nattle to provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled at Kutztown University. 

One scholarship in the amount of $ 500.00 will be given to a selected senior Bachelor of Social Work student in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students can receive this scholarship only once.