With our unique blend of social work services in East Texas, there is an increasing need for leadership in our profession. Social workers in this region can contribute to the profession's development at the national level. In this presentation, Stephen F. Austin State University's Doctoral Social Work faculty will share how the first cohort, which graduated in December 2025, excelled as scholar-practitioners. The presentation shares examples of how students developed ethical innovations that can change practice. In addition, the presentation will showcase how graduates are impacting the profession through their leadership on local, state, and national levels. Session Objectives: 1) Develop an understanding of the concept "scholar-practitioner." 2) Learn more about the importance of developing innovative products for social work practice.