Social Work Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work invites applications for a full-time tenured position at the Associate or Full Professor level, who will be appointed to a 3-year (renewable) appointment (50% effort) as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The School of Social Work seeks a colleague who brings a strong background in academic excellence and innovation, demonstrated collaborative leadership and administrative skills, and commitment to a diverse, inclusive, welcoming, and forward-thinking culture that embraces the breadth of social work research, education, practice, and policy. We are particularly interested in candidates who are attuned to current directions and cutting-edge issues in the field, understand their role in creating a welcoming student-focused environment, and can work with faculty to help shape the future direction of the school’s anti-racist/anti-oppressive curriculum, policies, and practices in both our long-standing and highly-ranked in-person programs as well as our developing online MSW. Strong candidates will have experience in academic leadership, a strong commitment to teaching, scholarship, and societal impact, experience with CSWE accreditation, and a demonstrated ability to bring people together to find and support creative, successful, and sustainable approaches.

The position is a standard academic-year tenured faculty position. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs role is a 50% administrative appointment during the academic year and a 50% (2 months) summer supplement. The school currently has a strong team of program directors (BASW, MSW, Internship, and PhD), and is looking for an Associate Dean who can lead, collaborate, empower, and support these directors. This is an exciting time to join the school, with focused critical attention to ensuring a more anti-racist/anti-oppressive curriculum and learning environment across all programs. We are looking for a leader who recognizes the critical role and unique needs and opportunities for each of our academic programs (BASW, MSW, PhD) and who brings enthusiasm around expanding program options, opportunities, and pipelines. We also seek someone who shares our commitment to re-vitalizing our long-standing COSA (Community Organizing and Social Action) focus, enriching our Direct Practice curriculum, and bridging these micro-macro foci in ways that reflect the complex realities of our world and prepare our students to be the next generation of transformative social work leaders.

The School of Social Work has an established record of excellence in research and teaching; extensive interdisciplinary relationships and opportunities; a strong national presence around issues of race and racial justice, mental health, child welfare, health, poverty, justice, and aging; and substantial and sustained community-engaged work and partnerships. We seek a senior colleague who will contribute to our diverse intellectual and collaborative community.

The School of Social Work at Pitt is consistently ranked among the top schools of social work in the nation. The School is known for its strong educational programs (BASW, MSW [micro and macro], and Ph.D.); its excellence in field education; its geographic reach through its main campus in Pittsburgh, as well as regional programs in Bradford and Johnstown; innovative, interdisciplinary, and productive programs of research; and national leadership via long-standing and emerging programs and centers (the Center on Race and Social Problems, the Child Welfare Education and Research Programs (and Child Welfare Resource Center), the Center for Research on Innovations, Services, and Equity in Mental Health (RISE-MH)). Social Work faculty and students are centrally involved in a wide range of university-level initiatives, including the University’s Community Engagement Centers, Center for Global Health, and integrated health and interprofessional education. The School centers on anti-racism/anti-oppression and works to be a facilitator of anti-racist research and practice in the University, the city, and the world. This combination of resources, activities, and colleagues within and beyond the School creates an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment.

We are seeking a colleague to begin in Fall 2024. This position requires an earned doctorate in social work or related discipline, a track record commiserate with an appointment as an Associate or a Full tenured professor, relevant experience and credentials, and clear evidence of potential for high-impact leadership and scholarship. MSW is preferred. Substantive areas of scholarship are open. We seek a colleague who shares our focus on interdisciplinary, intersectional, and community-engaged education and research and who brings expertise, administrative and leadership experience, and ideas to assure innovation and excellence in our academic programs.

TO APPLY

If you experience any problems, please contact Mike Jasek at [email protected]

Complete applications will include:

1. Cover letter outlining administrative experience and approach, teaching, and substantive program of scholarship

2. Curriculum vitae

3. 2 samples of scholarly writing

4. Contact information for 3 professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.