Dean, School of Social Work - Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Social Work. The Dean will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, which seeks to advance innovative, impactful solutions that address real-world challenges and to prepare the next generation of leaders with an interdisciplinary, experiential education. The dean will have responsibility for providing leadership in academic, research, and fund-development activities for one of the largest accredited, comprehensive social work programs in the U.S. In addition, this position will contribute to the University’s new strategic plan Quest 2028, which emphasizes a rich academic environment driven by diversity, equity, and inclusion-centered action, student success, collaborative research and innovation, and deep, meaningful community engagement with the city of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia, mid-Atlantic region, and nation.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts. VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 25,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia.

VCU’s unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and student success is why INSIGHT into Diversity magazine has named the university a Diversity Champion five times in a row as part of its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Awards. And many students say that the best thing about VCU is its diversity. 

Founded in 1917, the School of Social Work stands as the first school of its kind in the South, as well as one of two programs in Virginia to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the discipline. Today, SSW is ranked #28, the highest-ranked school of social work in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it is consistently among the top 30 nationally according to U.S. News & World Report.

The mission of the VCU School of Social Work (SSW) is to prepare professional social workers as practitioners, scholars, and leaders; to generate research and scholarship for advancing knowledge and practice; and to contribute to local, state, national, international, and professional communities to improve quality of life. Guided by the principle of promoting social and economic justice in a diverse and multicultural society, its programs focus on service to and empowerment of people who experience oppression or vulnerability due to inadequate or inequitable distribution of personal, social or institutional resources. Combining this commitment with cutting-edge research and education means student opportunity is limitless.

Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Fotis Sotiropoulos, the Dean of the SSW serves as a member of the VCU’s senior leadership team, working with the President, Provost, Deans, and other senior leaders to advance the University’s mission. The Dean will take the lead in shaping the future of the school, articulating a vision that defines its standard of excellence, the directions of its growth, and the new and multidisciplinary connections that are possible across the university. With the faculty, the Dean will be responsible for the recruitment and retention of the faculty, extending a high standard of excellence. The Dean will be responsible for all matters relating to the management of the resources of the school, including its academic programs; its faculty, staff and students; its facilities; and its budget. The Dean will actively support the university’s development initiatives and will lead that effort within the School of Social Work and among its constituents. The Dean will also ensure continued focus on the students, both undergraduate and graduate, providing the services and the support to ensure their success. Finally, the Dean will recognize, reward, and facilitate participation in high-level research activities, and foster an environment of innovative curricular and teaching practices. 

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VCU invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the School of Social Work. Interested candidates should confidentially submit a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to  VCU.SSW@russellreynolds.com. The letter of interest should include details on the interested candidate’s career aspirations as well as their contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

For full consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible and preferably by June 3.