Research & Discovery

October 27, 2025 | Olivia Drake

UConn SSW Well-Represented at 2025 CSWE Conference

The conference, titled "It’s Time to Act: Championing Disability Justice and Disability Joy in Social Work," championed the need for social work conversations around disability joy, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion

School of Social Work students

School of Social Work students and faculty gather at the CSWE Conference in October.

Several UConn School of Social Work faculty, students, alumni, and friends attended the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 71st Annual Conference Oct. 23-26 in Denver, Colorado.

The conference theme, “It’s Time to Act: Championing Disability Justice and Disability Joy in Social Work,” championed the need for social work conversations around disability joy, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Seven SSW faculty, 12 Ph.D. students, and one SSW research consultant delivered 11 presentations at the event including:

Fizza Saghir, MSW, Ph.D student.
Fizza Saghir, SSW Ph.D student presents her research titled, “A Critical Analysis of Economic Sanctions Policy: The Debilitating Impact on Healthcare in Afghanistan.”

“A Critical Analysis of Economic Sanctions Policy: The Debilitating Impact on Healthcare in Afghanistan” by Fizza Saghir, MSW, Ph.D student.

“Students’ Perceptions of Master of Social Work Programs’ Preparation for Working With Far-Right Clients” by Zhenrong Su, MSW, Ph.D. student; Kylie Harrington, LCSW, Ph.D. student; Jon Phillips, assistant professor; Kelsi Carolan, assistant professor; and Gio Iacono, assistant professor.

“Examining Practicing Social Workers’ Perceptions of MSW Program Preparation to Work with Clients with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses” by Kelsi Carolan, assistant professor; Jon Phillips, assistant professor; Zhenrong Su, MSW, Ph.D. student; Doreek Charles, MSW, Ph.D. student; Laura Moynihan, LICSW, OSW-C, APHSW-C., Ph.D. student; Kylie Harrington; and Gio Iacono, assistant professor.

“Embracing the Resistive Nature of Imagined Futures for Disabled LGBTQ+ Communities” by Spencer Evans, LMSW, Ph.D. student, and Megan Feely, associate professor.

“Mutual Aid and Interdependence: The Role of Community Sponsorship in Refugee Integration and Belonging” by Craig Mortley, M.Sc., Ph.D. student; Kathryn Libal, professor and director of the UConn Human Rights Institute; S. Megan Berthold, Ph.D., professor; and Scott Harding, associate professor and associate dean for Academic Affairs.

“Social Work, Nonprofits, and Unionizing: Examining Organizational Structure to Promote Equity and Labor Rights” by Fernando Ricardo Valenzuela, MSW, School of Social Work research consultant.

CSWE conference
SSW Ph.D. student Zhenrong Su; Ph.D. student Elizabeth Goldsborough, and Jon Phillips, assistant professor in the School of Social Work gather at CSWE.

“Do MSW Programs Prepare Students for Independent Collaboration? Results From a National Survey” by Jon Phillips, assistant professor; Zhenrong Su, MSW, Ph.D. student; Kylie Harrington, LCSW, Ph.D. student; Elizabeth Goldsborough, MSW, Ph.D. student; Gio Iacono, assistant professor; and Kelsi Carolan, assistant professor.

“Social Work Practice With Forced Migrants With Disabilities and/or Other Chronic Health Conditions” by S. Megan Berthold, Ph.D., professor; Craig Mortley, M.Sc., Ph.D. student; Yvonne Mbewe, LCSW, Ph.D. student; Kathryn Libal, professor and director of the UConn Human Rights Institute; Elnara Klicheva, MSW, Ph.D. student; Scott Harding, associate professor and associate dean for Academic Affairs.

“Preparing Social Workers for Affirmative Practice With LGBTQIA+ Populations: Recommendations for MSW Programs” by Gio Iacono, assistant professor; Leah Holle, MAR, LCSW, CEDS, Ph.D candidate; Craig Mortley, M.Sc., Ph.D. student; Jon Phillips, assistant professor; Kelsi Carolan, assistant professor; Zhenrong Su, MSW, Ph.D. student; Kylie Harrington, LCSW, Ph.D. student.

“Uplifting Palestinian Perspectives: Peer-Based Learning for Critical Consciousness and Values-Guided Action” by Fernando Ricardo Valenzuela, MSW, School of Social Work research consultant and Jamie Smith, MSW, LCSW-C, Ph.D. student.

And “Understanding Factors That Impact the Emotional Well-Being of Hispanic Immigrants in the United States” by Leah Holle, MAR, LCSW, CEDS, Ph.D candidate.

View additional conference photos on the UConn School of Social Work’s Facebook post.