Negotiating Equity: Empowering Social Work Faculty Through Salary Transparency

Moderator(s)

Jennifer G. Withrow, DSW, MSW (she/her/hers)

Manager of Program Policy and Quality Assurance Branch
Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Panelist(s)

CR

Courtney Ruggles, DSW, LSW

Program Director, Bachelor of Social Work Assistant Professor of Social Work
Shawnee State University
AL

Arneqka Lester, BSW student

BSW Student
Mount St. Joseph University

Contributor(s)

CC

Christa Currie, PhD

Vice Provost
Mount St. Joseph University

This presentation examines salary components of social work faculty at small U.S. universities. Using quantitative surveys and CSWE data, the study analyzes influences: academic rank, experience, education, CIP codes, and geography. Findings reveal disparities and offer recommendations for equitable compensation and negotiation power.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Understand Salary Influencers: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key factors—such as academic rank, experience, educational background, CIP codes, and geographical location—that shape the salary components of social work faculty at small universities.
Empower Negotiation Strategies: Participants will learn how to interpret quantitative data on salary disparities and acquire actionable strategies to advocate for equitable compensation, enhancing their negotiation power within academic institutions.
Critically Assess Institutional Policies: Participants will evaluate how institutional policies and practices contribute to salary disparities among social work faculty at small universities and develop practical recommendations to foster transparency and equitable compensation practices within academic institutions