April 13, 2026
Dr. Courtney Ruggles, director of Shawnee State’s Bachelor of Social Work program and assistant professor of social work, presented at The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) conference in New Orleans in February.
Ruggles began her academic journey at Shawnee State University, earning her bachelor's degree in 2010 as a recipient of both soccer and academic scholarships. She went on to complete her Master of Social Work at the University of Kentucky and her Doctorate in Social Work at Capella University. In 2024, she returned to Shawnee State University to develop the Bachelor of Social Work program, which welcomed its first students in Fall 2025.
Ruggles specializes in teaching social welfare policy, human behavior and the social environment while emphasizing community-based needs.
Ruggles said attending conferences like those hosted by BPD is important for several reasons, such as professional development and staying up to date with accreditation standards.
At the conference, Ruggles presented her research, “Beyond the standards: Community-driven curriculum development for BSW programs.”
“We collected data from our community members and agencies that hire and work with social workers to understand the region’s workforce needs,” she explained. “Every region is different. Understanding what kind of training and focus those regions need is very important.”
To engage with the community, Ruggles developed a survey distributed to regional social service agencies. Using the survey data and feedback from an advisory committee, Ruggles designed the BSW program curriculum to address the specific needs of the region, preparing Shawnee State University graduates to enter the workforce with skills tailored to local community challenges.
“Shawnee State's BSW program is designed to meet the specific needs of our region. Our graduates will be prepared to work competently and ethically in behavioral health, substance use treatment, and crisis intervention–areas our local agencies have identified as priorities,” she said.
Based on her research, Ruggles is finalizing a Suicide Prevention course at Shawnee State University, which will be available to seniors from all majors. Enrollment will require instructor permission due to the sensitive nature of the material. The course is expected to launch as early as Spring 2027.