From the Classroom to the Global Stage: Why SSWAA's Conference Is for Everyone

Every attendee arrives at the SSWAA National Conference with a different story.

Some come looking for practical strategies they can implement immediately.

Some come to connect with colleagues who understand the realities of school social work.

Others travel thousands of miles to learn how the profession is evolving and bring new ideas back to their own communities.

No matter where they begin, they leave with something in common:

A renewed sense of connection, purpose, and possibility.

In a recent conference reflections interview, Conference Coordinator Daisia Alexander spoke with two first-time attendees—Fartun Muhammad, a student member, and Olajumoke Akere, an international youth development advocate from Nigeria—about what they experienced during SSWAA's 2026 National Conference. Their stories offer a powerful reminder that SSWAA's conference is more than an educational event.

It's a place where our profession comes together.

Learning From Those Already Doing the Work

As a student preparing to enter the profession, Fartun Muhammad arrived hoping to do one thing: Connect with experienced school social workers. She wanted to ask questions, hear real-world experiences, and gain insight from professionals already serving students every day.

She found all of that—and much more.

Throughout the conference, keynote presentations and breakout sessions introduced new ideas, practical strategies, and innovative approaches to supporting student mental health and well-being. Several sessions stood out, including discussions surrounding mental health, community partnerships, and school-based Safe Centers—ideas Fartun hopes to carry into her own future practice. For students entering the profession, opportunities like these provide something textbooks alone cannot: The chance to learn directly from practitioners who are shaping the future of school social work every day.

Learning Across Borders

For Olajumoke Akere, traveling from Nigeria to attend the conference represented an opportunity to better understand how school social work continues to evolve in the United States—and how those ideas might strengthen services for children and families back home.

Throughout the conference, she was especially inspired by sessions that combined research with practical tools and assessments that could be adapted to different communities.

Just as valuable were the conversations happening outside the meeting rooms.

Networking with presenters, sponsors, and fellow attendees opened the door to future collaborations and reinforced the importance of sharing ideas across countries and cultures.

Her hope for future conferences?

Even more opportunities to explore global perspectives and strengthen international collaboration among professionals dedicated to student well-being.

More Than Professional Development

One theme emerged repeatedly throughout the conversation: The conference isn't just about attending sessions. It's about building relationships.

Whether through conversations between presentations, introductions to new colleagues, or discussions sparked during breakout sessions, attendees found themselves becoming part of a professional community that extends well beyond the conference itself.

Those relationships often become future collaborations, mentorships, and lifelong professional connections.

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

Although Fartun and Olajumoke came from very different backgrounds, they shared one important takeaway: There is space for everyone at SSWAA's National Conference.

Students.

Practitioners.

Supervisors.

Researchers.

University faculty.

International professionals.

Whether you're attending your first conference or your twentieth, you'll find opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute alongside colleagues who share your commitment to supporting students, families, and schools.

That's what makes the SSWAA conference experience so unique.

It's not simply about attending presentations.

It's about becoming part of a professional community.

---

Join the Conversation

If you weren't able to attend this year's National Conference, there's still an opportunity to learn and connect.

🎥 Register for SSWAA's Virtual Conference and access valuable learning from wherever you are.

Already thinking ahead?

📍 Start planning to join us at our next National Conference and experience the learning, networking, and inspiration that only happens when our profession comes together.

Because wherever your journey begins...

There's a place for you at SSWAA