By Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work hosted its annual Alumni Breakfast March 20, bringing together more than 100 alumni and community members to celebrate Social Work Month and share in the school’s achievements and upcoming initiatives.
The event was emceed by award-winning speaker, poet, and UTA alumnus Michael Guinn, who energized the crowd with his storytelling and poetry.
“It’s more than a breakfast — it’s a reunion of purpose,” Guinn said. “Social workers are the unsung heroes of our communities and today was about honoring that passion and legacy.”
UTA President Jennifer Cowley welcomed guests with remarks emphasizing the essential role of social workers and the impact of UTA graduates.
“Social work is about advocating for those in need and strengthening our communities,” Cowley said. “The work you do is never easy, but it is essential. You are the heartbeat of our society, and you make a real difference.”
The breakfast also featured a State of the School address from Dean Kirk Foster, who shared key milestones including the recent reaccreditation of UTA’s BSW and MSW programs, and the School of Social Work’s rise in national rankings — now No. 43 overall out of 315 schools, placing the school in the top 13% and No. 28 among public university social work programs according to U.S. News & World Report.
“The state of our school is strong,” Foster said. “You, our alumni, are that living legacy bringing our vision to life every day as you provide vital services across communities.”
Foster also announced a $1 million gift from the Harold Simmons Foundation and Thomas Connelly, establishing the Serena Simmons Connelly Memorial Endowed Graduate Fellowship. The gift will provide eight $5,000 scholarships annually — the largest scholarship initiative in the school’s history.
Additionally, Foster previewed the launch of the school’s 100% online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, expected to begin in Spring 2026, pending final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
“This program will expand opportunities for advanced practitioners and leaders in social work,” Foster said. “We’ve already seen significant interest from alumni and professionals across the country.”
The event featured remarks from UTA alumna Anadja Camafo, a youth prevention specialist at the UTA School of Social Work’s Center for Addiction and Recovery Studies, who reflected on her experience as a first-generation college student and the transformative support she received at UTA.
“UTA became my home — not just a place where I was educated, but where I was empowered,” said Camafo. “The scholarships I received weren’t just financial aid — they were opportunities.”
Camafo emphasized the power of mentorship and community in supporting student success. “When institutions believe in their students, they create change-makers,” she said.
The breakfast also highlighted the school’s new CARE Fund, designed to provide emergency financial aid, tuition support, and professional development resources for students facing hardship. Attendees were invited to support the initiative through donations and participate in an alumni survey to strengthen engagement opportunities.
President Cowley closed her remarks by encouraging alumni to remain active partners in shaping the future of the profession.
“Your commitment to excellence ensures that our graduates are leaving here with the knowledge and skills they need to innovate,” she said. “Together, we can shape the future of social work.”
This event reflects the School of Social Work’s commitment to keeping alumni connected through networking, continuing education, and community outreach.
Following the breakfast, attendees were able to participate in a CEU credit producing Social Work Ethics presentation delivered by UTA Social Work Associate Professor of Practice Kiva Harper.
Stay tuned for more alumni events and programs organized by Elizabeth Tejada, Social Work’s new director of alumni relations and community outreach. This is a new position at the school created by Dean Foster to help better connect with our alumni and the community