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Sarah Slates

Sarah Slates
Assistant Professor and Internship Director
Social Work

Sarah Slates is a native of central Pennsylvania and earned her Ph.D. in Social Work and Social Research from Bryn Mawr College. She has social work practice experience in a variety of settings including student support services, career counseling, crisis intervention, and advocacy. Dr. Slates is an assistant professor of social work and the internship director at Seton Hill. Her research interests include college student mental health and well-being, with a focus on first-generation and low-income students, social work education, and pedagogical partnerships. Before coming to Seton Hill, Dr. Slates was the Director of Student Support Services and an adjunct instructor at Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Dr. Slates has published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of First-generation Student Success, Journal of Social Work Education, and International Journal of Students as Partners. She has also presented at regional and national social work conferences. Dr. Slates is a proud alum of Seton Hill University (class of 2009).

Education

  • Ph.D., Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA), 2023

  • M.S.S.W., M.A. Gender Studies, University of Louisville (Louisville, PA), 2016

  • B.A. Spanish, Teaching Certifications: Elementary and Special Education, Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA), 2009

Publications

  • Slates, S. & Moedano, C. (2022). Responding to the psychosocial experiences of first-generation Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Journal of First-generation Student Success. 10.1080/26906015.2022.2137444

  • Byers, S. D., McInroy, B. L., Craig, L. S., Slates, S., & Kattari, S. (2020). Naming and addressing homophobic and transphobic microaggressions in social work classrooms. Journal of Social Work Education, 56(3), 484-495. 10.1080/10437797.2019.1656688

  • Sousa, C., Yutzy, L., Campbell, M., Cook, C., & Slates, S. (2020). Refining curriculum for a macro social work concentration: A community-based process. Journal of Social Work Education, 56(3), 533-547. 10.1080/10437797.2019.1656686

Awards

  • L. Diane Bernard Fund for LGBT and Human Sexuality Projects (2023)

  • McPherson Award for Excellence and Service to the Community (2018)

Organizations

  • Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors

  • Council on Social Work Education

  • National Association of Social Workers

Presentations

  • Edwards, J., Slates, S. Sullivan, M., & Shapiro, J. (2024). Centering equity and social justice in social work education through the student services continuum. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Kansas City, MO. October 24-27, 2024.

  • Slates, S., Edwards, J., & Sullivan, M. (2024). Social workers in higher education: Academic and professional strategies for empowering the next-generation of social workers. National Association of Social Workers-PA. Pocono Manor, PA. October 13-16, 2024.

  • Moedano, C. & Slates, S. (2023). Supporting first-generation social work students through mental health and administrative approaches. NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education. Kansas City, MO. June 25-27.

  • Slates, S. (2021). Role of validation and belonging in equitable outcomes for four-year college students [Poster, session cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns]. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Orlando, FL. November 4-7.

  • Slates, S., Moedano, C., Byers, S. D., & Garran, A. (2019). Inclusion means changing: Supporting first-generation students in MSW programs. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Denver, CO, October 24-27.

  • Byers, S. D., McInroy, B. L., Craig, L. S., Slates, S., & Kattari, S. (2018). Naming and addressing homophobic and transphobic microaggressions in social work education. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Orlando, FL, November 8-11.

  • Slates, S. (2015). Beyond Self-Care: A Holistic Approach to Secondary Trauma [Poster]. Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators Spring Conference. Brescia University, Owensboro, KY, April 9-10.

Certifications

  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Pennsylvania