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Executive Search: Dean of the School of Social Work

Rutgers–New Brunswick is seeking an experienced and visionary leader and scholar to serve as Dean of the Rutgers School of Social Work (SSW), which is among the few top 20 social work programs within large, public research institutions, and has a top reputation for excellence in education and research.

We aim to identify a thoughtful and dynamic leader who will advance the school’s mission with a strong commitment to excellence and equity.

Rutgers–New Brunswick is partnering with WittKieffer on this search process. Together with the search committee, they have engaged members of the School of Social Work community for feedback via listening sessions and a survey. The feedback received has been used to develop a position description, included as part of the leadership profile.

Nominations of candidates for the dean position may be sent to Rutgers-SSWDean@wittkieffer.com.

  • The leadership profile provides an overview of the School of Social Work's academic and operational ecosystem and summarizes the qualities and qualifications required of successful candidates for the role of dean.

    View Leadership Profile

  • Listening sessions are a way for members of the School of Social Work community to share their thoughts about the future of the school. Feedback from the listening sessions will be used to inform the search process and help guide the search committee in identifying a thoughtful and dynamic leader to serve as dean of the School of Social Work. If you were unable to attend a listening session, please provide your feedback via the survey. Survey responses are anonymous.

    Student Listening Session
    Monday, October 17, 2022 from 4 - 5 p.m. via Zoom

    Staff Session
    Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom

    Faculty Session
    Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

    Open Session for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni
    Monday, October 31 at 3 p.m. via Zoom

  • The search committee was formed by the Office of the Chancellor in close collaboration with the leadership of the school and with the aim of creating a broad and representative group. The primary role of the committee will be to develop the leadership profile, aid in the evaluation of the candidates, interview potential candidates, and make a recommendation to the chancellor.

    2023-2024 Search Committee Members

    • Richard Edwards, Chancellor Emeritus and Interim Dean (Chair)
    • Ayse Akincigil, Associate Professor
    • Anisa Ali, Undergraduate Student & President of the Undergraduate Social Work Organization
    • Deven Alvarez, Graduate Student & Co-Chair of the Graduate Student Association
    • Douglas Behan, Associate Professor of Professional Practice & Director of the Office of Continuing Education
    • Marla Blunt Carter, Associate Professor of Professional Practice
    • Ciji Carr, Instructional Technology Specialist
    • Laure Andrea Cuesta Rueda, Assistant Professor
    • Patricia Findley, Associate Professor & Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
    • Tawanda Hubbard, Associate Professor of Professional Practice
    • Jack Lewis, Associate Professor of Professional Practice & Director of the Intensive Weekend Program
    • Arlene Hunter, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
    • Judith McCoyd, Associate Professor & Associate Director of the Ph.D. and DSW Programs
    • Lia Nower, Professor; Associate Dean for Research; & Director of the Center for Gambling Studies
    • Rachel Schwartz, Associate Teaching Professor and Assistant Dean for Innovative Technologies
    • Allison Zippay, Professor & Director of the Center for Leadership and Management

    2022-2023 Search Committee Members

    • Wanda Blanchett (Chair), Dean, Graduate School of Education
    • Vivien Anthony, Associate Professor
    • DuWayne Battle, BASW Program Director; Teaching Professor
    • Elsa Candelario, Professor of Professional Practice
    • Erin Capone, Senior Director of Development, Rutgers Foundation
    • Mary Beth Daisy, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Camden
    • Patricia Findley, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Professor
    • Sharon Fortin, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance
    • Lauren Korczakowski, MSW Student
    • Sarah McMahon, Director, Center for Research on Violence; Associate Professor
    • Nicole Oceanak, Assistant Director, Online-Blended Field Education
    • Andy Peterson, Associate Dean for Research; Distinguished Professor
    • Gabriel Robles Alberto, Assistant Professor
    • Jana Sasser, BASW Student

  • Any questions, feedback, or candidate nominations can be sent to SSWdeansearch@rutgers.edu.