58th Annual Conference

November 5-7th, 2025

“Fostering Courage and Resilience in a Time of Great Uncertainty: Strategies, Solutions and Advocacy”

In a world marked by rapid change, political upheaval, and social challenges, social workers stand at the forefront of advocating for vulnerable communities, fostering resilience, and leading transformative efforts for a more equitable society. This year's conference theme calls on educators, students, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to explore actionable strategies that empower individuals and communities to thrive despite adversity.

As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, it is critical that we reflect on how the current administration's leadership and policies impact the communities we serve. This conference will highlight innovative approaches to social work practice, advocacy, and community engagement while fostering an environment of courage and resilience—for us and the people, organizations, and communities we work with. We are interested in proposals addressing the intersection of policy change, systemic challenges, and the resilience-building processes necessary for social workers to meet today’s needs.

Saratoga Springs, NY

*Conference begins mid-day on Wednesday 11/5 and ends at 11:00 am on Friday 11/7

Keynote Speaker

Title: Anchored in Purpose: Leading with Heart and Hope in Transformative Times

In a world that is reshaping itself every day, our ability to lead with heart, hope, and a deep sense of purpose has never been more vital. In this keynote, Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas invites you to reconnect with your personal and professional journey, embracing your lived experiences as powerful tools for healing, leadership, and advocacy. Together, we will explore how vulnerability builds authentic connection, how uncertainty can open new doors for courageous action, and how staying rooted in our purpose helps us create lasting change. You will leave with renewed inspiration, practical strategies to nurture your well-being, and a deeper commitment to using your voice and vision to ignite change for yourself, your community, and the future of social work.

Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas is a dynamic educator, therapist, consultant, mindfulness facilitator, and social work scholar dedicated to advancing healing-centered practices, educational equity, and social justice. A proud Bronx native and first-generation Dominican American, Dr. Bautista-Thomas is deeply committed to honoring lived experiences, cultural identity, and community resilience in all areas of her work.

She serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Lehman College and the Social Work Club Advisor.  She is also the Co-founder of Velocity Visions, Inc., and founder of Abundance Counseling Services, LCSW, PLLC. Her research focuses on school social work practice, the experiences of bilingual Latinx school social workers in K-12 settings, the integration of ancestral wisdom into social work education, and the critical role of self-care, wellness, and emotional intelligence in sustaining social work leadership. 

Submit a Proposal

We invite proposals from social work students, faculty, administrators, practicum instructors, and practitioners. Before submitting, please review the submission guidelines provided on this page.

Important:
There are separate criteria for students and other presenters. For the complete outline, please press the button below!

In your email subject line, please use one of the following:

  • NYSSWEA Submission for Interactive Workshop

  • NYSSWEA Submission for Paper Presentation

  • NYSSWEA Submission for Round Table Discussion

  • NYSSWEA Submission for Student Presentation and Poster

For Students

  • Eligibility: You must be enrolled in a Social Work program at the time of the conference in November.

  • Student poster proposals should be submitted by June 15, 2025.

  • Where to send: Email your proposal to both Dr. Elaine Congress (congress@fordham.edu) and Ms. Joanna Suppa (suppa@fordham.edu).

For Other Presenters

We look forward to your submissions!