Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D., LCSW, to serve as interim social work dean
Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D., LCSW, comes by her passion for the transformative power of higher education naturally – it’s in her genes. Gomez assumes leadership as interim dean of the VCU School of Social Work on May 16, 2022, after serving for nearly two years as associate dean of academic and student affairs. Dr. Gomez succeeds […]
Dean Angell announces departure from VCU, new position at Michigan
Beth Angell, Ph.D., dean of the VCU School of Social Work since 2018, has accepted the position of dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan effective July 1. “Leading this school has been a tremendous honor and privilege, even during challenging times,” says Angell, the ninth full-time dean in the […]
School of Social Work Annual Report: 100+ snapshots that tell a story of strength, resilience, adaptability
As the VCU School of Social Work takes a look back at the past 18 months through the lens of our first Annual Report publication, it’s clear that the big picture is really a series of smaller snapshots and their collective impact. You will find more than 100 of these snapshots throughout the pages of […]
Welcome from the dean, Academic & Student Affairs team
Dear School of Social Work students, Happy FDOC (first day of class)! We are thrilled to welcome you all back – whether in-person on campus or virtually – and are excited for all of the things the new academic year has in store. Below are a few updates related to the 2021-22 academic year. Last […]
Celebrating Juneteenth and reflecting on the necessary work still to be done
This Saturday, June 19, marks the annual celebration of Juneteenth, recognized with a state holiday here in Virginia on Friday, June 18. Juneteenth represents the first celebration of freedom among formerly enslaved Black Americans in Texas, who were informed of their freedom more than 2.5 years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. This week, […]
Social work graduates celebrate in the great outdoors
After a year’s absence, the School of Social Work held in-person Commencement ceremonies on May 14 for its B.S.W. and M.S.W. graduates at Richmond’s City Stadium, while Ph.D. graduates were honored at a separate event the same day. In total, the school recognized six Ph.D. graduates, 187 M.S.W. graduates and 107 B.S.W. graduates. Approximately 200 […]
Dean’s statement following Chauvin verdict
Dear School of Social Work community, Following a great deal of national attention, collective anxiety and apprehension, the jury in Derek Chauvin’s trial has rendered a verdict of guilty in the murder of George Floyd. I share in the collective relief that I know many in our community feel about the potential step this represents […]
Beth Angell’s origin story: From first-generation student to social work dean
Beth Angell’s social work story actually starts with a chapter focused on psychology. “I have to admit that I had never met a social worker or understood what one was until I was in college,” says Angell, Ph.D., who became dean of the VCU School of Social Work in the summer of 2018. SOCIAL WORK […]
Dean Angell’s response to Atlanta shootings
Dear School of Social Work Community, I was horrified Wednesday morning, as I’m sure you all were, to read of the fatal shooting of 8 people in the Atlanta area Tuesday night. Although the investigation is ongoing, this appears to be a racially-motivated act of gender-based violence. As has been reported in the news, 6 […]
Rothenberg, Harris: Pioneering social work deans who smashed the glass ceiling
As the new VCU School of Social Work dean prepared to start her job, she took stock of several key challenges. SOCIAL WORK MONTH: 2021: ORIGIN STORIES How could the program work more collaboratively with other academic units to offer more educational opportunities that cut across related disciplines? How could the school provide better access […]