07/17/2026
For nearly two decades, the University of Pikeville has prepared social work students to enter practice and serve individuals, families, organizations, and communities throughout Appalachia and beyond. Increasingly, however, our graduates are also helping prepare the next generation of social workers.
Today, I am especially proud to celebrate UPIKE MSW graduate Jordan Maynard, who has joined the faculty of the University of Kentucky College of Social Work as a lecturer. To the best of our knowledge, Jordan was the first graduate of our MSW program to enter social work education full time—first as the Human and Social Services Program Coordinator at Big Sandy Community and Technical College and now at UK.
Jordan’s accomplishment is part of a larger legacy within the UPIKE School of Social Work. Our BSW Program Director, Ashton Bartley, and Director of Practicum Education, Shawna Kelly-Blair, are both graduates of our BSW program. Ashley Mora, who now teaches in our BSW program, is a graduate of both our BSW and MSW programs. We also have many alumni who serve as adjunct instructors for UPIKE and other social work programs.
As a long term social work educator and program administrator, I have always believed that one of the greatest measures of a program’s impact is what its graduates go on to do. Seeing our alumni become educators, mentors, program leaders, and colleagues is an extraordinary source of pride. They are not only practicing social work—they are helping shape its future.
Congratulations, Jordan. The UPIKE School of Social Work is incredibly proud of you, and I am personally so proud to have you as part of our story.
Dr. Kilgore-Bowling
Read more about Jordan’s appointment: https://socialwork.uky.edu/college-of-social-work-welcomes-jordan-maynard-to-faculty/
