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As we start the 2011/2012 school year, we celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding faculty and students. Professor Rosemary McCaslin was selected as the winner of the College of Social and Behavioral Science’s Outstanding Teaching and Instruction Award. Dr. McCaslin was also honored by the Journal of Gerontological Social Work as its 2010 Reviewer of the Year. Dr. Ray Liles was honored as one of the nation’s ten “Dedicated and Deserving Social Workers” in the January/February 2011 Issue of Social Work Today. Dr. Teresa Morris was named the recipient of CSUSB’s Outstanding Originator in Distributed Learning (OODL) award for her work in leading the development of an online BASW program aimed at child welfare workers for whom distance is a barrier to a social work degree. Last year faculty gave presentations and published papers in national venues such as the CSWE annual program meeting (McAllister, Vang) and the Journal of Technology in Human Services (Smith, Shon).

For the second year in a row, a student from the MSW program was selected as the College of Social and Behavioral Science’s Outstanding Graduate. The honoree was Michael Chavez. Michael was subsequently selected to be honored at Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter’s “30 under 30” Latino/Native American Recognition Breakfast. An article in the August 18th CSU Leader titled “Learning the Ropes in Social Work” described the ongoing partnership between students in our undergraduate research class and the San Bernardino Department of Aging (DAAS) and Adult Services wherein the students perform research of benefit to DAAS and to the older people in the county.

Among other accomplishments, the BASW student club (FSWA) was featured in local papers for its volunteer work in sprucing up a rehabilitation residence for men who also have children. The MSW student club (SWSA) organized a number of events including student participation at Lobby Days in Sacramento.

The 2011/2012 academic year brings some changes in faculty. Lori Brown attained her Ph.D. and has rejoined Riverside County in a top administrative position. Nick Watson was hired as the new BASW IV-E faculty person. Patsy Andrada retired and we were fortunate to hire Terry Forrester as an interim Field Director. Dr. Pa Der Vang moved back to Minnesota and we are in the beginning stages of the recruitment process for a replacement. Shanta Moore joined us in the front office late last fall. We appreciate the contributions of those who have moved on. We are also very pleased with our new faculty and staff.

The School of Social Work’s MSW program is in the last stages of reaccreditation with only a site visit and a vote from CSWE next February to go. Faculty has worked hard to clarify how the key foundation and advanced competencies of the social work profession are taught and assessed in the MSW program. The School of Social Work remains a strong force for good in our community, fulfilling its mission to provide accessible, dynamic, and rigorous academic programs that prepare students with foundation and advanced professional values, knowledge and practice skills to effectively enhance the well-being of the diverse populations and communities of our region, state and world.

Laurie A. Smith, Director
CSUSB School of Social Work
lasmith@csusb.edu
(909) 537-3837