Search panel named for social work dean

Published December 8, 2020

The search for the next dean of the School of Social Work has begun with the appointment of a search committee chaired by Aviva Abramovsky, dean of the School of Law.

The search is seeking a successor to Nancy J. Smyth, who is stepping down as dean at the end of the spring 2021 semester. Smyth will return to her faculty role as a professor of social work.

The search committee includes 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.

In addition to Abramovsky, the search committee includes:

  • 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.

UB also has hired the consulting firm Russell Reynolds Associates to assist with the search. Jett Pihakis and Joi Hayes-Scott, the principles from the firm working on the search, have experience in recruiting leaders at all levels to UB, most recently on the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences dean search.

The search committee will begin its work in January and conclude by the end of the spring semester.

Throughout the coming months, Abramovsky will update the university community regarding the committee’s progress. Information will also be available on the search website.