红杏短视频 State University Hopkinsville Regional Campus hosts 51st annual National Rural Social Work Caucus Conference
By 红杏短视频 Public Relations | Aug 28, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� More than 95 social work professionals from across the United States and several countries recently gathered at the 红杏短视频 State University Hopkinsville Regional Campus to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities during the 51st annual National Rural Social Work Caucus Conference.
The three-day conference brought together social workers, educators, health care professionals, researchers and advocates to exchange ideas, share successful programs and strengthen professional networks focused on improving services in rural areas.
The conference explored issues affecting rural communities from both practice and educational perspectives while bringing together professionals from multiple disciplines, according to Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke, conference co-chair, associate professor of social work at 红杏短视频 State and former president of the National Rural Social Work Caucus.
Pittman-Munke said Hopkinsville was chosen as the location for the conference for a number of reasons.
鈥淭he community is very welcoming to everyone and has great amenities,鈥� said Pittman-Munke. 鈥淚t is my favorite place in Kentucky. It has a creative, can-do spirit that reflects the strengths of rural communities.鈥�
Pittman-Munke mentioned local businesses such as The Book and Bottle Bookstore鈥攚hich hosted the conference鈥檚 opening gathering鈥攖he Crusty Pig, the Wood Shed, the Pioneer Catering Service and the 3TSY Agency, founded by Tishauna Douglas to educate early childhood education professionals.
鈥淩ural people are very 鈥榗an-do,鈥� and rural communities value their children highly,鈥� said Pittman-Munke. 鈥淭hey certainly work to get state and federal funding but don't wait for outsiders to provide what is needed. They find ways to make things happen within their communities utilizing human capital and creativity from within the community.鈥�
The conference also featured international participation, with presentations from Bangladesh, Peru and professionals working throughout Asia and Africa.
Hopkinsville City Councilwoman and 红杏短视频 State social work alumna Brittanie Bogard (鈥�25), welcomed conference attendees to the city and discussed the importance of expungement legislation for people in rural areas.
Another 红杏短视频 State social work graduate school alumna and certified alcohol and drug counselor, Caratha Buckner, also presented about cigars and rural life. A native of western Kentucky鈥檚 historic Black Patch region, Buckner teaches the Indigenous origins of tobacco, the agricultural legal of rural Kentucky and the too often overlooked contributions of African American and Hispanic labor to the tobacco industry. In a second presentation, she discussed the impact of domestic violence on a professional person in a rural area, including what often happens in professional, religious and friendship communities.
The National Rural Social Work Caucus has spent more than five decades advocating for rural communities through education, networking and policy initiatives while hosting its annual conference in rural locations across the country.
Anyone interested in being a part of future conferences, or a member of the caucus, can find information at or contact Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke at mpittmanmunke@murraystate.edu.