Presentations

The Garland School of Social Work is committed to research that provides resources and models. GSSW faculty, staff, and students enjoy presenting research at local, state, national, and international conferences. Check out a few of our recent conferences.

NACSW: North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Convention (2026)

Crisis, Context, and a Case for Trauma-informed Leadership in Faith-based Social Work Education
Melody Y. Zuniga, EdD, LMSW, Baylor University  

Religion, Spirituality, and the Lived Experience of Disability: Implications for Social Work and Congregational Practice
Kara Whittaker, LMSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University; Elyse McMullen, LMSW, Baylor University

Interrupted Development: Understanding and Treating Emotional, Relational, and Spiritual Harm in High-Control Religious Contexts
Beth Williams, LMSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University  

CSWE: Council on Social Work Education Annual Convention (2026)

Direct and Indirect Associations Between Parental Incarceration and Police Intrusiveness in Adolescents (E-Poster: Criminal and Juvenile Justice)
Chiao-Yu Yang, PhD, Morgan State University; Qianwei Zhao, PhD, Baylor University; Yi-Syuan Jian, MA, University of Delaware  

The Soul of the Helper: Promoting Self-Awareness and Resilience Within Social Work (Paper: Spirituality)
Holly K. Oxhandler, PhD, Baylor University  

Enhancing MSW Competency Through OSCE-Based Simulation in Integrated Behavioral Health Education (E-Poster: Teaching Methods and Learning Styles)
Bonni Goodwin, PhD, University of Oklahoma; Elissa E. Madden, PhD, Baylor University; Jillian Landers, PhD, University of Texas Austin; Danielle E. Parrish, PhD, University of Texas Austin; Becky Bell Scott, PhD, Baylor University  

Transformational Learning in Spiritually and Religiously Integrated Social Work Education (E-Poster: Spirituality)
Evan J. Copello, MS, GSSW PhD Candidate, Baylor University; Holly K. Oxhandler, PhD, Baylor University; Jesse Fox, Stetson University, PhD; Edward C. Polson, PhD, Baylor University

Specialized Behavioral Health Services for Foster and Adoptive Families: Voices from the Field (E-Poster: Clinical Practice)
Kelley Ivey, LSW, LCSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University; Bonni Goodwin, PhD, University of Oklahoma; Sierra McClendon, LCSW, University of Oklahoma  

From Models to Meaning in Social Work Education: Integrating Disability, Religion/Spirituality, and Resilience (Paper: Disability Issues)
Kara Whittaker, LMSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University; Beth Williams, LMSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University; Elyse McMullen, LMSW, Baylor University

Reinforced Resilience: Supporting Underrepresented Student Persistence Through Strengths-Based Frameworks (Paper: Baccalaureate Programs)
Luci Ramos Hoppe, EdD, LMSW, Baylor University; Melody Y. Zuniga, EdD, LMSW, Baylor University

Presuming Competence with Nonspeakers: Rethinking Communication, Agency, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice (Paper: Disability Issues)
Kara Whittaker, LMSW, GSSW PhD Student, Baylor University

More than a Practice Model: Trauma-Informed Social Work Education via Teaching, Practicum and Leadership (Paper: Higher Education/Non-Profit Leadership)
Whitney Luce, LMSW, Baylor University; Melody Y. Zuniga, EdD, LMSW, Baylor University

Advancing Family Preservation Through Parental Legal Advocacy: Findings from a Two-Year Program Evaluation (Paper: Child Welfare)
Elissa E. Madden, PhD, Baylor University; Amber R. George, MA, Baylor University

Society for Social Work and Research (2025)

Religious Engagement and Life Satisfaction Among African American and Black Caribbeans: A Nationally Representative Examination 
David R. Hodge, PhD, Arizona State University; Linda M. Chatters, PhD, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Robert Joseph Taylor, PhD, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Meredith O. Hope, PhD, The College of Wooster; Stephanie Boddie, PhD, Baylor University  

"I Wanted to be Proactive, but I Am Too Exhausted": Challenges and Stressors in Navigating End-of-Life Care for Older Parents Living with Dementia in China 
Yifan Lou, PhD, MSW, Yale University; Jinyu Liu, PhD, MSW, Baylor University; Kedong Ding, MSW, Case Western Reserve University  

Navigating Racial Discrimination and Depression Among Asian Americans amid COVID-19: Exploring the Influence of Social Networks 
Mee Young Um, Ph.D., Arizona State University; Arati Maleku, Ph.D., Ohio State University; Youn Kyoung Kim, PhD, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge; Mansoo Yu, PhD, University of Missouri; Sung Seek Moon, PhD, Baylor University; Mo Yee Lee, PhD, The Ohio State University 

ICT Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Asian American Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic 
Jinyu Liu, PhD, MSW, Baylor University; Ethan Siu Leung Cheung, PhD, University of Utah; Yifan Lou, PhD, MSW, Yale University 

From Margins to Center: A Content Analysis on the Balance of Paternal Representations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment Textbooks 
Justin Harty, PhD, Arizona State University; Mark Trahan, PhD, Appalachian State University; Brianna Lemmons, PhD, Baylor University  

Navigating Racial Discrimination and Depression Among Asian Americans amid COVID-19: Exploring the Influence of Social Networks 
Mee Young Um, Ph.D.,  Arizona State University; Arati Maleku, Ph.D., Ohio State University; Youn Kyoung Kim, PhD,  Louisiana State University; Mansoo Yu, PhD, University of Missouri; Sung Seek Moon, PhD,  Baylor University; Mo Yee Lee, PhD, The Ohio State University  

Understanding Black Father Involvement in Education in the Context of Systemic Inequities 
Ericka Lewis, PhD, LMSW, University of Maryland at Baltimore; Brianna Lemmons, PhD, Baylor University; Marquitta Dorsey, PhD, Loyola University, Chicago; Amanda Brown, PhD, Brightpoint; Waldo Johnson, PhD, University of Chicago  

Religious Engagement and Life Satisfaction Among African American and Black Caribbeans: A Nationally Representative Examination 
David R. Hodge, PhD, Arizona State University; Linda M. Chatters, PhD, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Meredith O. Hope, PhD, The College of Wooster; Stephanie Boddie, PhD, Baylor University 

Using a Community-Based Participatory Approach to Develop a Culturally Sensitive Intervention for Chinese American Family Caregivers 
Jinyu Liu, PhD, MSW, Baylor University; Yifan Lou, PhD, MSW, Yale University; Ethan Siu Leung Cheung, PhD, MSW, University of Utah 

GSA: Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting (2025)

Crossing a Century: Black Male Resilience, Spirituality, and New Horizons (Paper: Behavioral & Social Sciences)
Stephanic C. Boddie, PhD, MSW; Jocelyn S. McGee, PhD, MSG, FGSA, HSP; Rebecca Meraz, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRC, CHFN

Post Traumatic Growth: A Novel Framework to Strengthen Resilience and Heart Failure Self-Care (Poster: Behavioral & Social Sciences)
Rebecca Meraz, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRC, CHFN (Nursing); Jocelyn S. McGee, PhD, MSG, FGSA, HSP (Social Work)

Life Review Intervention Delivered by Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia Improves Depression (Paper: Social Research, Policy & Practice)
Authors: Christina E. Miyawaki, PhD, MSW, MA, FGSA; Angela McClellan, LMSW (Social Work); Erin D. Bouldin, PhD, MPH; Cheryl Brohard, PhD, RN; Mark E. Kunik, MD, MPH

Improving Vietnamese Immigrants’ Cognitive Health Literacy: University-Community Partnerships (Poster: Social Research, Policy & Practice)
Christina E. Miyawaki, PhD, MSW, MA, FGSA; Nguyen T. Nguyen; Tuong-Vi Ho, PhD, AGNP, BC; Angela McClellan, LMSW (Social Work)

Lifelong Memories That Help Persons Living with Dementia and Depression to Engage and Thrive (Poster: Social Research, Policy & Practice)
Christina E. Miyawaki, PhD, MSW, MA, FGSA; Angela McClellan, LMSW (Social Work)

Selection Bias in Analyses of Physical and Cognitive Function: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (Paper: Health Sciences)
Lauren MacConnachie, MS; Jillian S. Baker, MPH; Alexis Reeves, PhD, MPH; Michelle M. Hood, MS; Kelly Ylitalo, PhD (Public Health); Aleda Leis, PhD, MS; Sherri-Ann Burnett-Bowie, M.D., M.P.H; Carrie A. Karvonen-Gutierrez, PhD, MPH

Application of Community-Based Participatory Research to Support Chinese American Caregivers (Paper: Social Research, Policy & Practice)
Jinyu Liu, PhD, PhD, MSW (Social Work); Ada Yuk-Sim Mui, PhD; Ethan Siu Leung Cheung, PhD; Yifan Lou, Ph.D., LMSW; Qin Sun, MSW (Social Work)