Empowered and Inspired @ BPD
In March 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 42nd Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Organized by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, this conference brought together students, educators, and professionals to share insights, support each other, and build a community in the field of social work.
As a junior in the Social Work program at Southern Connecticut State University, this experience was life changing. I traveled with two other SHAWN Research Assistants. We arrived on Wednesday night, ready to immerse ourselves in everything the conference had to offer. From the moment I entered the conference venue, Harrah’s Corporate Convention Center, I felt welcomed and inspired.
The conference began with a breakfast hosted by Dr. Catherine Gayle, President of the BPD Board. Her powerful message, which emphasized the importance of being genuine and nurturing relationships with honest intent, resonated deeply with me. Over the next two days, I attended workshops that broadened my thinking and reaffirmed my passion for social work.
Self-Care and Navigating Crisis in Online Education, highlighted the role of student organizations in building resilience, connection, and leadership.
Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence: Advocacy and Treatment in Social Work Education, underscored the importance of equipping students with tools to address complex challenges in the field.
Navigating BSW Education: Integrating Spirituality and Behavioral Health, discussed incorporating faith-based and trauma-informed models into behavioral health work, especially during politically and socially polarized times.
Collaborative Use of the IMAGE and PREPARE Models, was a stand-out session for me. This presentation discussed a campus-wide initiative to provide free feminine hygiene products at a Catholic university. It was a great example of macro-level change driven by students and faculty working together.
Lunch Lecture featured Dr. Anthony Street, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers, delivered a powerful call to action about advocacy. His passion reminded me why social work is a vital and dynamic profession.
The Power of Cohort Learning in Undergraduate Social Work, focused on peer relationships and retention
Navigating Culture, Self-Care, and Field Experience in a Time of Crisis, described culturally-informed self-care tools like the Lokahi Wheel
I also took part in sessions on global social work in India, faculty Fulbright programs, student outcome assessments, and disparities in social work licensure. Each presentation provided me with new tools and ideas to bring back to my program and fieldwork.
To cap it all off, Saturday’s award ceremony was joyful and humbling. I received the 2025 Mit Joyner Gerontology Award for my poster research "Older People’s Lived Experiences of Incarceration and Reentry During COVID-19: A Qualitative Exploration. " I will carry this recognition with pride and responsibility as I continue my journey in this profession.
I want to thank the SHAWN team, Dr. Smoyer, and Dr. D'Angelo for the support and encouragement that made this experience possible for me. I am also grateful to Dr. Ebony Lang and Dr. Christopher Streidl, members of the BPD Board, who were incredibly generous with their mentorship. This conference was more than just an academic experience—it was a moment of clarity, purpose, and deep motivation to keep pushing forward in my social work journey.
