NASW-OK Chapter Awards - 2026 Nominations Now OPEN!

Nominations are now open for the NASW Oklahoma Chapter Awards! These annual awards recognize the outstanding achievements, leadership, and dedication of social workers and students who are making a meaningful impact across Oklahoma.

Recognizing excellence within our profession is an important way to celebrate the individuals who strengthen our communities, advance social work values, and inspire others through their service. We encourage you to help us honor these deserving individuals by submitting a nomination today. Deadline for nominations is November 1, 2026. 

Below, you'll find each award category and its eligibility criteria. Click here to view the Nominations Guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact us at info.naswok@socialworkers.org

Awards Categories

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an NASW-OK Chapter member in good standing who: has accomplished stellar successes in his/her social work career which have enhanced the profession, supported clients, upheld social work values, and advocated for the betterment of all people.

SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Social Worker of the Year Award honors an NASW-OK Chapter member in good standing who: reflects the values espoused in our NASW-Oklahoma Chapter Mission Statement; promotes the NASW to the public and advocates for the populations social work serves; represents the highest ethical standards of social work as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics; contributes to improvement of the social fabric in tangible and intangible ways; takes risks and enlists public support for improved human services.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Student of the Year Award honors an NASW-OK member who is a student in a BSW, MSW, or Doctorate program who: demonstrates leadership qualities (active member of student organizations), contributes to the positive image of a social work program, commitment to political and community activities, success in academic performance, degree to which the student represents the professional ethics of social work as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics.

EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR
Emerging leaders are “early” career social workers that have demonstrated exemplary leadership, expertise, and dedication to the profession in the state of Oklahoma, whose contributions enhance practice knowledge and/or the capacity of the profession and the human service to obtain resources and influence. They have all demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas, including public or nonprofit agency-based practice, policy/legislative advocacy, academia, resource development, and administration.

2020 Awards