Hello WSU Social Work Community,

Summer in the academic world is always thought to be a hiatus of sorts; faculty go off contract and students return to life without exams and papers. However, it is not like that at the WSU School of Social Work. During the summer we admit our new class of advanced standing MSW students (150 students) and match all students for field placements this fall. In addition, this summer we are developing a new strategic plan, finishing our application for a fully-online MSW program, completing sections for our reaccreditation self-study (due next June), hiring key positions and starting some new endeavors. No slowing down here!

The SSW Strategic Plan will mirror the five key areas of the university's strategic plan: Research and Discovery, Student Success, DEI, Community Engagement and Finance/Operations. Five subcommittees worked to gather information from faculty, staff, students, and community partners to complile draft for review by the executive team. The executive team will have a complete draft for review at our first all school meeting in August. The inclusive process has really allowed us to gain a 360-degree picture of the SSW and the direction for the next three years. Thank you to all who participated!

Globally, the last few years have been difficult as we all adjusted to a virtual world. There have been advantages (e.g. our travel budget has decreased!) and challenges (e.g., retention issues for students). Certainly, this has changed higher education in ways we could not have predicted five years ago. It is clear that the expectations of students have changed and that we will need to increase our virtual presence to retain students (e.g., the online MSW program). Similarly, the practice of social work has changed and the SSW is pivoting to ensure that our curriculum and training of students is responsive to changes.

In the midst of all the change, it is comforting to know that some things remain the same. The incredible commitment of our faculty and staff to our students and the commitment of faculty, staff, students and our alumni to social, economic, environmental and racial justice is something I am incredible proud of everyday! This newsletter is full of examples of this steadfastness to excellence including our being named in the top 50 (#36) schools of social work nationally by U.S. News and World Report. Please join me in celebrating the remarkable efforts of this community that continues to come together in service of our shared mission; to create and advance social work knowledge and prepare a diverse student body for social work practice that promotes social justice, with a particular focus on urban communities.

As the world tries to emerge from the pandemic and bears witness to the latest war, we in the U.S. see erosion of rights we have taken for granted and continued injustice.  There are many reasons to continue the work we are doing and I look forward to our collective action.

Thank you WSU School of Social Work Family. It is heartening to know that together there is much we can and will - do!

Sheryl Kubiak, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Dean, School of Social Work