York Social Work Faculty Build Global Partnerships in Kenya

In Summer 2026, York College Social Work faculty members Dr. Alicia Wilson and Dr. Selena T. Rodgers traveled to Kenya to advance conversations on building York College–Kenyan partnerships, global social work education, and study abroad opportunities.

During their visit, they met with community and academic partners including Garden of Hope, Lake Naivasha, Kibera, Maasai Mara, the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development, and the University of Nairobi. Together, the York–Kenyan team explored co-creating community-based projects, scholar-to-scholar engagement, and broader academic collaborations. Reflections on community, culture, food, and laughter affirmed that the initiative met its goals of fostering meaningful global connections.

This work is closely tied to York’s SCWK 601 course, Urban Health Disparities and Global Health. Rooted in the Kenyan Social Work Professionals Act of 2026—which formally recognizes social work as a profession—the course prepares scholars to examine health inequities both locally and internationally. SCWK 601 brings global collaborations directly into the classroom through guest lectures and interactive social work simulations grounded in professional practice.