Speaking & Research Experience

Ph.D. Couples, Marriage, and Family Therapy (in progress)

M.S. Couples, Marriage, and Family Therapy (August 2023)

Thesis: Fighting the boss battle: How does gaming affect relationships?

B.A. General Studies (Concentrations: Biology, Psychology, and Music), Minor in Human Development and Family Studies - Honors College (May 2021)

Semester Abroad: University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia (Fall 2019)

Azam, A., Brown, C. C., Weiser, D., Soloski, K., Smith, D.B., Smalley, N., Swecker, K., & Gomes, A. (under review). Examining the correlates of child abuse with adult attachment and sexual satisfaction among adults. Submitted to Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy.

Pate, K. D., Bankale, T., Daley, J., Smith, M., Swecker, K., & Soloski, K. (2024). Coming out and becoming self – led: an internal family systems lens on the LGBTQIA+ coming out experience. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2024.2309175.

Swecker, K., D’Aniello-Heyda, C., Martinez, K., Nixon, A., Cravens- Pickens, J., Costa, A., Fife, S., & Weiser, D. (2025). Relationship benefits of gaming together: A phenomenological approach. Contemporary Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-025-09736-0 

National Poster Presentations

Swecker, K., & Weiser, D. (November 2021) Communication and relationship satisfaction in same-gender and different-gender relationships. Submitted to the 83rd Annual Conference of National Council of Family Relations, Virtual format. 

Local Poster Presentations

Swecker, K., & Weiser, D. (April 2020). Communication and relationship quality in same-gender and different-gender couples. Submitted to the Texas Tech Undergraduate Research Conference.

Swecker, K., & Weiser, D. (April 2021). Communication and relationship quality in same-gender and different-gender couples. Submitted to the Texas Tech Undergraduate Research Conference.

Workshops

State-Level Workshops 

Swecker, K. (February 2025). Exploring polyamory in the therapy room. Workshop given to the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Soon, C., Swecker, K., & Azam, A. (March 2024). Working with ADHD affected families: Strengths-based approach. Workshop given to the Texas Council of Family Relations.

Swecker, K. (April 2024). Understanding the LGBTQIA+ community. Workshop given to the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 50th Anniversary Conference.

Swecker, K., Howard, C., Buckley, C., Gomes, A., Hamby, E., & Smith, M. (April 2022). Therapy for Trans Youth: Ethical Considerations. Workshop given to the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.  

Swecker, K., Spencer, T., Pierce, J., & Ratcliff, C. D. (March 2024). Looking in the mirror: Application and practice of reflexivity in qualitative research. Workshop given to the Texas Council of Family Relations.

Local Workshops

Swecker, K. (April 2023). Queer Polyamory: Love in Many Forms. Workshop given to the 6th Annual Big XII LGBTQIA and Allies Summit, Virtual format. 

Panel Presentations

Pride Month: Hidden Figures. (June 2022). Panelist.

IGNITE Faculty/ Staff Panel. (Oct 2022). Moderator.

Opening Space: LGBTQIA Voices. (Oct 2022). Panelist.

Parents of Trans Kids. (Nov 2022). Moderator.

Guest Lectures

Swecker, K. The Impact of Mental Health on Diverse Communities. (Nov 2022). Presented to Understanding Diversity (CFAS 2360) taught by Esther Lau. 

Swecker, K. Understanding the LGBTQIA Community. (Oct 2023). Presented to Ethics (CMFT ) taught by Dr. Cameron Brown.

Swecker, K. Polyamory 101. (June 2024). Presented to Couples & Sex II taught by Dr. Jaclyn Cravens.

Swecker, K. Working With ADHD & ASD Clients. (Nov 2024). Presented to CMFT Practicum taught by Soon Cho.

Speaker Invitations

Sexism Cinema. (December 2022). Una Mujer Fantastica. Expert Guest Speaker.

TrUE, Undergraduate Research Conference. (January 2025). The Role of Self-Advocacy and Self-Efficacy within the Norms of Conference Etiquette. Expert Guest Interviewee [Video]. 

Grounds for Scholarship: An Honors College Series. (September 2025). Guest Speaker. 

I have designed and taught presentations on topics related to the LGBTQIA community, including basics of allyship, in-depth looks at gender identity and expression, biological sex, attraction, microaggressions directed at the LGBTQIA community, and more.

Educational Presentations

Swecker, K. (June 2022, Aug 2022, Aug 2022, Sept 2022). Understanding the LGBTQIA Community [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement. 

Swecker, K. (March 2022, April 2022, Sept 2022). Basics of Allyship [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement. 

Swecker, K. (April 2022, Sept 2022, Oct 2022). The Gender Spectrum [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement 

Swecker, K. (Nov 2022). Health and the Community [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement 

Swecker, K. (April 2022, Nov 2022). Home for the Holidays [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement 

Swecker, K. (March 2023). Current Policy and Impacts [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement.

Swecker, K. (April 2023). Advanced Active Allyship [Presentation]. Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement.

Awards:

Inclusive Excellence Graduate Recognition Award (Spring 2023). 

Scholarships

Total Received in Scholarships (2017 - Present): $31,000.00.

VMC Endowed Scholarship. (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025). $1000.

TTU Whitacre TRIP End Graduate School Scholarship. (Fall 2023 - Spring 2024). $2000 per academic semester, excluding summer.

TTU CFAS General HS Scholarship. (Fall 2021 - August 2023). $1000 per academic year.

TTU James and Elizabeth May HS Scholarship. (Fall 2022 - August 2023). $1000 per academic year

TTU HS Designated Scholarship. (Summer 2021). $1000

TTU Presidential / HES Scholarship. (Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2020). $5,000 per academic year

TTU Honors Scholarship Quasi. (Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2021). $5,000 per academic year

TTU Study Abroad Designated Scholarship. (Fall 2019). $3,900

Grants

Total Received in Grants (Fall 2023 - Present): $2,000.

Polyamory Foundation Grant. Awarded Fall 2023. $2000.