54th Annual Alabama-Mississippi Social Work Education Conference
About this Event
54th Annual AL-MS SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Hosted by Jackson State University School of Social Work
The 2026 AL-MS Social Work Education Committee cordially invites you to participate in the 54th Annual Conference, hosted by Jackson State School of Social Work, October 1 - 2, 2026. Field/Internship Coordinators are encouraged to register and attend the Pre-Conference on the evening of Wednesday, September 30, 2026
This year’s theme, “From Classroom to Community: Transforming Social Work Education for Real World Impact,” highlights the critical role of social work education in preparing practitioners to address complex, real-world challenges. The conference will provide a dynamic forum for sharing innovative research, teaching strategies, and practice approaches that bridge academic learning, practice skills, and community engagement.
OUR HISTORY:
From 1969 to 1971, social work faculty from the southern states met four times a year as part of a faculty development project of the Southern Regional Education Board. When the project ended, faculty from Alabama and Mississippi schools decided to form a conference to further the bonds they had developed.
Objectives of the conference were: to promote the transfer of information among schools providing social welfare education courses in the states of Alabama and Mississippi; to provide a forum for issues and problems of regional importance for the two states; and to enable individual schools and faculty members to be sensitive and responsive to the changing demands of social work education. The first three conferences were hosted by the University of Alabama, and starting in 1975 the conference was rotated among social work programs in the two states.
Today, representatives from all 27-CSWE accredited social work programs in Alabama and Mississippi and programs from surrounding states participate in the annual conference. Many of these programs bring their students who participate in programming and seek out employment and further educational opportunities.
HOTEL INFORMATION: The Hilton, Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi
The Conference Committee has secured a deeply discounted rate ($120/night plus taxes) for a limited number of rooms at the official conference hotel:
To reserve your discounted room, please use the following link:
Guests may make reservations by clicking the link below or by calling 1-800-678-4126 and providing the group code.
Group Code: ALMS
Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=JANJHHF&groupCode=ALMS&arrivaldate=2026-09-30&departuredate=2026-10-02&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
Rooms at the discounted rate are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Early booking is strongly encouraged.
Wednesday, 09/30/26
🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Field Coordinators Pre-Conference (Extra Ticket required)
Info: Times are subject t modification. Location of the meeting will be provided to attendees prior to meeting.
Thursday, 10/01/26
Thursday, October 1, 2026 (Times are tentative and subject to change)
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Opening and Keynote Address
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Break
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Breakout Session
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch On Your Own
🕑: 12:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Breakout Sessions
🕑: 01:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Break
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:45 PM
Breakout Sessions
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Break
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Breakout Session
🕑: 04:05 PM - 05:05 PM
Breakout Session
Friday, 10/02/2026
Friday, 10/02/2026 (Times are tentative and subject to change)
🕑: 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Awards Breakfast
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Special Address
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 39.19 to USD 1500.00
