This is an exciting time for the School of Social Work. Although our school enjoys a national reputation for its outstanding faculty, staff, student body, research productivity, and innovative curriculum, our value to society really increases when we can harness our collective talents and join our partners in the community who are engaged in solving real-world social problems. In the coming years, we will continue to build bridges both inside and outside of academia to promote social and economic justice.

Our faculty and students have won numerous awards for research, teaching, public service, and commitment to multiculturalism. We have people working on major projects related to Native American health, aging and spirituality, gerontological education, intergroup dialogue, youth development – to name only a few. We have engaged in important collaborative efforts, such as the West Coast Poverty Center that links us with the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, and the UW Departments of Economics, Sociology, and Geography. One of our faculty members – with support from colleagues, students, and community members – is spearheading an effort to launch a college-level social work program in Cambodia, the first of its kind in that southeast Asian nation.

In short our faculty, staff, and students have taken leadership roles locally, nationally and globally to enhance quality of life for all people, especially society’s most vulnerable members. We do so in ways that support the inherent problem-solving strengths of individuals, families, communities, and cultural systems.

I am both proud and honored to be the dean at this world-class social work program during such an important time in history. We know we can be the social change agents for a more just and compassionate society. I hope you will join and support us in whatever way that you can.

Sincerely,

Edwina Uehara
Dean and Professor