Community Forum

20th Annual Community Forum 

March 29, 2024 * 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM -Schaeffer Auditorium

Reproductive Rights, Health, and Freedom

For questions, please contact socialworkevents@kutztown.edu.

Keynote Speaker

image of Dr. Pillai

Dr. Vijayan K. Pillai

Professor, University of Texas at Arlington

  • Bio

    Dr. Vijayan K. Pillai, professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington, USA, is a recipient of fellowships from both the Royal Society of Public Health and the American Academy of Epidemiology. His scholarly pursuits revolve around demography, with a specific focus on adolescent fertility, women's health, and HIV/AIDS in Africa. He has authored numerous publications delving into these crucial areas of study. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Dr. Pillai received the University-wide Mentorship Award in 2014, the Distinguished Senior Scholar Presidential Award by the International Consortium for Social Development in 2016 (AsiaPacific), and the University-wise Distinguished Researcher award for the term 2023-24. Beyond academia, he has been a dedicated contributor to various community initiatives, including roles with organizations such as the South Asia Research and Information Institute and the Texas Refugee and Immigrant Women Association. Additionally, he has served as a member of several councils and commissions under the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) over the past two decades.

Agenda

Forum Purpose

The Kutztown University Community Forum, organized by the Department of Social Work, is a gathering of social work professionals, university community members, and community leaders. The purpose is to raise consciousness about—and craft solutions to—community needs, particularly as they pertain to families.

Speaker Handouts - 18th Annual Community Forum

Textbook lending library

The Department of Social Work is working to develop a Textbook Lending Library that will facilitate access to educational materials/resources throughout social work students’ educational career. The library will be operated through the department and provide a lending service of essential educational materials to our students. Our initial fundraising goal is $ 55,000.  The  initiation date for the fund was Spring 2021. 

Past Forum Videos

15th Annual Community Forum

12th Annual Community Forum

7th Annual Community Forum

14th Annual Community Forum

11th Annual Community Forum