Every year, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) awards individuals who have made a difference in their state’s social work field. NASW-MN recently named Kao Nou Moua the 2025 Tony Bibus Social Work Faculty of the Year for her leadership and commitment to student success.
Moua serves as assistant professor of social work as well as the Master of Social Work program director at Augsburg University. “Kao Nou is truly a superstar of our department in every way, and I’m thrilled that she’s receiving this recognition from NASW,” says Erin Sugrue, associate professor and chair of Augsburg’s social work department. The award is named after the late Professor Emeritus Anthony Bibus III, who spent over 20 years at Augsburg in addition to serving on the NASW national board.
“I’m grateful to be recognized by my social work peers to receive an award named in honor of Tony Bibus, who passed away last year,” says Moua. “Most importantly, it’s a privilege to be nominated by our wonderful students at Augsburg, who allow me to live out my calling as an educator and advocate.”
Learn more about Augsburg’s social work programs and Kao Nou Moua’s work.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has received a $75,000, 3-year grant in the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education. This program addresses the growing demand for social workers as the nation’s aging population is expected to more than triple by 2050. The grant, in consortium with the University of Minnesota, will support, through a scholarship and additional learning opportunities, the advanced field placement work of second-year MSW students specializing in serving older adults.