From the Dean

SOCIAL WORK matters

The University of Utah College of Social Work 2021-2022

Dean Martell Teasley, PhD, MSW

Editor Jennifer Nozawa

Art Direction University Marketing & Communications

Contributing Writers Emily Breen Stephanie Dawson Pack Lisa Himonas Jennifer Nozawa Martell Teasley

Contributing Photographers include Austen Diamond iStock Brooke Tittle Jennifer Nozawa Dave Titensor

Social Work Matters is published annually by the University of Utah College of Social Work

socialwork.utah.edu

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A Message from the Dean

I think of myself as a futurist. I learn about and consider the influences of the past, I assess current circumstances and trends, and I use that to help shape a meaningful future for our College and our profession.

At the start of my appointment, it was clear that our graduate social work education needed to be translated to online learning as a way of providing great access to students. Witnessing the dearth of social workers within the state of Utah—especially those serving rural communities in the west—presented an urgent challenge that required action. At the same time, I felt the imminent reckoning with our nation’s history to address the structures of systemic racism. Consequently, I had been working with our faculty and staff, our community partners and advisory board, our lawmakers, and our donors to build pathways and infrastructure to sustainably address these issues.

I did not, could not have anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic, nor the way it would abruptly propel these issues of the not-too-distant future into the present. Everything changed in a moment. Our ability to pivot and adapt was put to the test. But because of the strategic work already in motion, because our College was poised to provide solutions, and because of the tireless work and generous support of so many individuals, here we are. Our faculty and staff have been wonderful stewards who rolled up their sleeves to get the job done.

This fall we welcomed our first cohort of fully online MSW students—complementing our online BSW and our distance-delivered doctorate—and developed a new telehealth course to prepare students for practice in our changing clinical environment. We secured reoccurring funding to support students who plan to work in substance use disorder treatment or the public service sector. During summer 2021, we streamlined our admission’s process making it shorter, more efficient, and easier to navigate. We extended our event schedule and offered numerous free learning opportunities on issues related to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, while simultaneously working to strengthen our curriculum and our own understanding of these areas.

The future will certainly issue more challenges; those we can anticipate, and those we cannot. But what I do know of the future is that good people, within our College and outside our walls, will invest the time and passion to make the future as bright and as just as possible.

Martell Teasley, PhD, MSW Dean and Professor Associate Provost President, National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work