Meet the SWAG Leadership
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Elizabeth Cruz, LCSW '10 Elizabeth is currently working at San Antonio Affordable Housing as a Project Manager for Operation Rebuild. She is also working as a therapist helping bring healing to families, she is also a Registered Play Therapist, and adjunct at UTSA, training future social workers. |
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Seema Bhatia, LCSW ‘20 Soon after graduating, Seema was contracted with UTSA's field office as an FEPS Coordinator for the Field Education Professional Simulation (FEPS) program. Seema is currently employed as the Lead Clinician for BCFS HHS. She previously worked as a Licensed Counselor with Communities In Schools in SAISD. Seema has close to six years of experience working with youth and adolescents. She is passionate about youth literacy and mental health.
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Bethany Gutierrez, MSW '14, '20 Bethany is a two-time graduate from UTSA, earning her BA in Psychology in 2014 followed by her MSW in 2020. She is an alum from the UT Systems Graduate Archer Fellowship program and the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Bethany has past experience working with youth groups, our houseless residents, and elderly in a skilled nursing facility. Bethany currently works under the Texas House of Representatives as Representative Diego Bernal's District Director. As District Director she advocates for San Antonio community members and Texas constituents in crisis, assisting them in navigating complex bureaucratic systems. Bethany is passionate about advancing advocacy initiatives from micro to macro levels of social work to shape state policies impacting daily lives. She is skilled at client advocacy and government relations, policy development, bipartisan coalition building, and grassroots organizing for a more equitable society. Bethany is an experienced mentor to BSW and MSW students, preparing them for impactful careers in macro-level social work through guidance and hands-on experience in public policy and social justice initiatives. |
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Samantha Roman, LMSW ’20 Samantha Roman is a graduate of the UTSA Social Work Program. Samantha earned her license December 2020 and began working in the behavioral health service line. She works with an array of staff: doctors, nurses, therapists, and many others to meet the needs of the patients. She also works with community members to assist with appointments and applicable resources for patients when discharged from hospital services. She is now working on her clinical license and continues to seek out education via those she works with, patients, conferences, and events. “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” |
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Morgan Zachmeyer, LMSW '22 Morgan earned her BSW at Southern University and A&M College in 2020, and her MSW from UTSA in 2022. Since earning her LMSW that same year, Morgan has worked in two nontraditional roles while still using her social work skills to empower and enrich the lives of the citizens of our community. First supporting caregivers of older adults with dementia and chronic illness as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Morgan now serves as a Certified Advisor for Northwest Vista College, walking with students in their journeys to eliminate poverty in workforce development and education. Let's Go 210! |
Upcoming Events
Annual SWAG Conference | Friday, February 28, 2025
Holistic Approaches to Health and Healing
UTSA Social Work Alumni Group (SWAG) provides collaboration, networking, and mentoring among UTSA social work alumni and current students. SWAG is also active in advocating for local, state, and national issues that impact social workers and the communities they serve.
The UTSA Social Work Annual Conference gathers local and statewide social workers and others working to improve lives and accessibility to services. The UTSA Social Work Annual Conference offers attendees opportunities to learn about the latest trends in issues and services, share experiences, and build community through relevant keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and agency exhibits. The UTSA Social Work Annual Conference is also an opportunity to highlight the incredible work our alumni are providing locally and nationally.
Earn CEUs... 6.5 hours total, including 1.5 hours of ethics.
United in Strength: Addressing LGBTQ+ Struggles and Creating Pathways for Healing
- Texas State Representative Diego M. Bernal (He/Him)
- Honorable Judge Rosie Speedlin Gonzalez (She/Her)
- Miles Rodriguez (He/Him)
Moderator: Eric Alva (He/Him)
Breakout Sessions:
- Breaking Boundaries: Psychedelics as a Treatment for Mental Health
- Logan Davidson and Lynnette Averill
- Building Bridges Against Trafficking: Providing a Coordinated Response to Exploited Youth
- Iris Resendez '08 and Jessica Quinones
- Building Community Resilience
- Jessica Huerta
- Engaging Community Courageously
- Lory Hartsock
- Healing with Sound Bowls: Restoring Balance through Vibration Therapy
- Debbie Garcia
- Let's Talk About Death and Grief
- Rachel Maupin
- Limpas, Ojo, and Envida: Integrating Cultura & Evidence Based Practice into Therapy
- Dr. Erica Martinez and Eloisa Zamora '17
- Maximizing Mindfulness Meditation to Manage Stress and Boost Professional Well-Being
- Dr. Maya Thomas Fernandez '03 and Dr. Claudia Morales
- Music is Medicine: Incorporating Music into Clinical Practice
- Joseph Gorordo
- No Shame in Your Game: Gaming as a Tool for Mental Health and Burnout Prevention
- Jennifer Horton
- Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy: Empowering Families to Empower Their Children
- Anna Paola Smith
- Preventing Burnout by Increasing Cultural Competence
- Dr. Ashley Stephens
- Rejuvenating Hope in Social Work Practice
- Emily Perez '14 and Vanessa Fears '23
- The Ripple Effect: Understanding Trauma as the Root of Substance Use and Mental Health Challenges
- Justin Sanderson
- Trauma-Informed Design: Integrating social work practice and architectural innovation to enhance wellbeing through the built environment
- Scott Ackerson, Sarah Akhtar '12,'17, '24, and Pegah Taher Toloo Del
Learn more about the keynote and sessions. Click here for detailed information.
A special thanks to our 2024 and 2025 UTSA Social Work Annual Conference Presenting Sponsor, Full Force WholeBodyMind Healing Center, for making this event possible.
MSW Scholarship
Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipient, Cristal Martinez '18, '26!
The SWAG Conference helps fund the SWAG Scholarship for MSW students. Interested in making a gift? Click here for more info.
