Social Work Students Represent Seton Hall at Annual Meeting of the Profession
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
B.S.W. students and faculty (Dawn Apgar, pictured third from right) represent Seton Hall University at annual meeting of the social work profession in Atlantic City, NJ.
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) students from Seton Hall University attended the 2026 annual conference of the National Association of Social Workers - New Jersey Chapter (NASW-NJ) from April 26-28 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The conference brought together hundreds of social work professionals, scholars, advocates and students from New Jersey and other states for three days of professional development, networking and collaborative learning focused on the future of the profession.
Recognized as one of the premier professional gatherings for social workers, the annual conference featured keynote speakers, specialized workshops, panel discussions and interactive presentations addressing some of the most pressing issues in practice. The event provided students with the opportunity to learn directly from experienced practitioners and leaders while exploring the evolving role of social work in addressing complex social challenges.
This year’s theme, "Bridging the Gap, Building the Future: A Call for Social Work Action," emphasized the critical role social workers play across helping settings and highlighted the profession’s commitment to advocacy, equity and community-centered care. Through attendance, Seton Hall students gained insight into developments in direct practice, policy, mental health care and systems advocacy, while deepening their understanding of how social workers promote meaningful, lasting change.
B.S.W. students talk about their capstone research with Elizabeth Gillette (pictured on right), executive director of the Grand Challenges of Social Work and Society, who was a plenary speaker.
A major focus centered on interdisciplinary collaboration, professional connection and community engagement. Throughout the three-day event, students participated in sessions on topics such as ethical dilemmas related to artificial intelligence, cultural and trauma-informed crisis responses and strategies for challenging oppressive care systems. These experiences encouraged critical thinking about the future of the profession and reinforced the importance of leadership in advocating for marginalized populations.
The conference also offered valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with peers, faculty, clinicians, nonprofit leaders and practitioners. These interactions fostered professional relationships and expanded awareness of diverse career pathways, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning, advocacy and collaboration in advancing social work practice.
Seton Hall student attendees included Alyecia Craig-Woods, Aryaki Dixit, Amy Avila Maradiaga, Ashley Qualls, Dayona Gilbert, Thalyta Tapia, Zharia Crawford, Alexiss Salimbene, Angeles Luque, Aurora Marin, Breyanna Williams, Erick Morey, Isabelle Burbowiecki, Jillian Daly, Khiya Diaz, Lauren Patunas, Madison Cook, Michelle Escobar, Raquel Saharig Sava, Seraiyah Brown, Simone Taylor, Trinity Middlebrooks, Valentina Guenther, Yazlin Dickson and Zorya Morgan.
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