Juan “Bobby” Escobar, a senior in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, has been named the 2026 Student Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)-Florida Chapter. The honor recognizes Escobar’s academic excellence, leadership, community service, and commitment to advancing social justice through advocacy and community engagement. Escobar was named student social worker of the year by the Central Unit chapter, which serves Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, and then subsequently selected among other regional recipients to receive the top honor for the State of Florida. He will accept the award during a ceremony in June.
“Bobby’s accomplishments are remarkable, but what truly sets him apart is the kind of leader he is: thoughtful, principled, and deeply guided by the values of social work,” says Senior Instructor and BSW Program Director Robin Kohn. “He represents the very best of our profession and the future we are building together.”
A LEAD Scholar, Escobar has built a strong academic record during his time at UCF, earning recognition on the President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List as well as membership in the Tau Sigma Honor Society. In addition to his BSW, he is completing a minor in nonprofit management.
In his role as a senator with UCF Student Government, Escobar represents both BSW and MSW students and contributes to identifying legislative priorities that impact UCF’s more than 70,000 students. He was selected to present these priorities—focused on campus safety and healthcare—before the Orange County Legislative Delegation. During National Social Work Month, Escobar led the effort to pass a formal proclamation recognizing March 2026 as National Social Work Month at UCF, further elevating awareness of the profession’s impact.
As vice president of the BSW Student Association, Escobar supported student recruitment, increased engagement with NASW, helped coordinate events and speakers and secured funding to support student travel for legislative advocacy in Tallahassee.
As a student, Escobar has taken the initiative to design and implement community-focused programming, including professional development workshops for teens, internet safety sessions for seniors, a community health fair, a breast cancer awareness walk, a Thanksgiving food drive, and a holiday toy drive.
Currently in his final semester at UCF, Escobar is completing his field placement with Project Access Resource Centers where he connects children and families to critical services.
“Bobby reminds us what is possible when commitment, compassion, and action come together. He does not simply study social work—he embodies it,” says Kohn. “He leads with integrity, courage, and compassion, and he consistently turns values into action in ways that uplift others and strengthen our collective voice.”
Beyond campus, Escobar serves as an NASW Florida Student Ambassador, a role in which he has helped expand student internship opportunities. His leadership has also earned national recognition, including presenting a workshop in Washington, D.C., during Student Advocacy Day hosted by the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy.
Following graduation, Escobar will attend Florida State University to pursue a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration and plans focus on social leadership and evidence-based policymaking.
