Search Committee: Dean of School of Social Work

Published December 8, 2020

Dear University Community:

I am pleased to share that the search for the next dean of the School of Social Work is now underway. Aviva Abramovsky, dean of the School of Law, will serve as chair of the search committee. Under Dean Abramovsky’s leadership and with the support of the search committee, I am confident that the search will be a great success.

Composed of faculty from the School of Social Work, as well as other UB and community members whose interests and expertise are relevant to the social work field, the search committee includes:

  • Aviva Abramovsky, Chair, Dean, School of Law
  • Eric C. Alcott, Associate Vice President for Advancement, Health Sciences
  • Marie Cannon (MSW ’91), Commissioner, Erie County Department of Social Services
  • Diane E. Elze, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Work
  • Robert Granfield, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs; Professor, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Maureen Hammett, Vice Dean and Chief of Staff, School of Social Work
  • Leah Ingraham, Graduate Student, School of Social Work
  • Denise J. Krause, Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Alumni Relations, School of Social Work
  • Nadine Shaanta Murshid, Associate Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, School of Social Work
  • Patricia J. Ohtake, Assistant Vice President for Interprofessional Education; Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions
  • Paul R. Stasiewicz, Professor and Janet B. Wattles Endowed Chair, School of Social Work
  • Noemi Waight, Associate Professor, Learning and Instruction, Graduate School of Education
  • Deborah P. Waldrop, Professor, School of Social Work

We have secured the services of Russell Reynolds Associates to assist the university in recruiting the best possible candidate. The principals from the firm who will work on this search are Jett Pihakis and Joi Hayes-Scott. Dr. Pihakis has extensive experience in recruiting leaders at all levels to UB, including most recently working with Ms. Hayes-Scott on the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences dean search.

I am grateful to the members of this search committee for their service and support in recruiting an outstanding individual for this important leadership position. The committee will begin their work in January and conclude by the end of the spring semester.

Throughout the coming months, Dean Abramovsky will update the campus community regarding the search progress. Information will also be available on the search website.  

Sincerely,

 

A. Scott Weber                                                                                      Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs