History
The University of Alabama School of Social Work (SSW) was established by the Alabama legislature in 1965 to address a shortage of professional social workers in the state. Over the past 56 years, our school has awarded almost 3,000 Masters of Social Work (MSW) degrees, which is considered the terminal practice degree in our field. The SSW is the only social work program in Alabama that is a standalone college, and it is also the only program in Alabama that offers social work degrees at all levels – Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctor of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy.
Mission: To prepare “scholar-practitioners and researchers committed to ending adverse social conditions and promoting societal well-being through teaching, research and service.”
Teaching: “We provide students with a high-quality educational experience to prepare them to become tomorrow’s global leaders in the social work field. Our innovative degree programs are designed to produce social workers for today’s workforce.”
Research: “Our students and highly distinguished faculty researchers use innovation in the classroom and interdisciplinary, research-based knowledge to address social problems, transform lives and develop solutions that change our world for the better.”
Service: “We provide resources and leadership by partnering with individuals, families, groups, community agencies and organizations at all levels. Our goal is to improve the delivery of social services, with an emphasis on public social services.”
Vision: “Leading the country in community-engaged research in health, behavioral health, and social and economic justice solutions for Alabama and the nation.”
Goal 1 - Education: Offer distinctive curricular programs that provide our students with an exceptional learning experience to prepare them as global citizens.
Objective 1
Structure and support all academic programs to attract and retain quality students and produce graduates who are committed to advancing social justice and providing quality, strengths-based, evidence-based services.
Actions
- Increase number of scholarships and funding offered to graduate students and students in field placements
- Boost student recruitment efforts at all levels
- Enhance retention efforts for current students
- Establish framework that centers around anti-racism and anti-oppression measures anticipated in the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation
- Increase the overall quality of all SSW degree programs
Objective 2
Provide more resources and opportunities to help faculty and instructors who are interested in improving their teaching skills
Actions
- Encourage participation in development courses that improve or enhance teaching and learning
- Offer workshops to new faculty to introduce them to tools and software that are available at UA and to new and existing faculty who are looking for ways to improve student engagement
Objective 3
Provide more opportunities for student engagement and innovative, evidence-based practical experience
Actions
- Support current student organizations in SSW to ensure they remain active; encourage student participation and establish a connection between the students and school leadership
- Encourage involvement in student research and national/international programs
- Incorporate simulation labs into the various degree programs
Goal 2 - Research & Scholarship: Cultivate interdisciplinary, community-engaged, research-based knowledge to address social problems, transform lives and develop solutions & future researchers that change our world for the better.
Objective 1
Increase the School of Social Work's faculty research efforts across Alabama and the globe
Actions
- Provide opportunities for faculty development in contract/grant funding, research and scholarship
- Promote and encourage cross-disciplinary research campus-wide, nationally and internationally via inter-professional research collaboration with interdisciplinary research on campus, community partners, collaboration with faculty and staff members at other universities, international partnerships, and research opportunities related to social justice in the Black Belt and other underserved regional areas
- Increase opportunities for students to do research in the BSW, MSW, DSW and PhD programs
- Continue advancing research infrastructure and policy of SSW to increase grant submissions and successful post-award administration.
Objective 2
Disseminate and publicize our faculty, staff and student research activities and scholarship through digital venues (newsletter, social media, research website)
Actions
- Encourage faculty to share accomplishments, publications, and funds awarded with the school and related newsletters
- Expand audience for scheduled publications (biweekly funding opportunity newsletter and annual Research Review newsletter) to include alumni, donors, collaborators, research partners, community members, research participants, and/or funding agencies
- Highlight research projects through social media, podcasts and other popular venues to increase interest from students and faculty, promote research and increase audience reach
- Support faculty participation in national and international conferences
Objective 3
Boost support for faculty scholarship activities
Actions
- Encourage publications in meaningful and high-impact national and international peer-reviewed publications
- Continue promoting faculty and student participation in state, national, and international conferences
Objective 4
Continue recruitment of research faculty with active research agendas
Goal 3 - Culture & Diversity: Promote a healthy, diverse, inclusive environment to support the contributions of diverse leaders with distinctive ideas within the discipline and to promote the overall wellbeing of our faculty, staff and students.
Objective 1
Follow SSW Diversity Strategic Plan to find ways to enhance and coordinate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the school
Actions
- Increase recruitment, retention and promotion of underrepresented faculty, staff, and students
- Designate a School of Social Work Social Justice Committee as a central voice to respond to social issues that arise at the local and state level and establish partnerships with internal and external groups that are also focused on social justice and progressive change
- Coordinate and consolidate social justice efforts and events that occur across degree programs within the School of Social Work
- Create system to provide support for underrepresented and 1st generation students, offer opportunities to help underrepresented and 1st generation students emerge as leaders within the program, and recognize/celebrate those who have successfully emerged as leaders
Objective 2
Provide resources that focus on faculty, staff and student wellness and mental wellbeing
Actions
- Schedule events and/or promote existing events on campus (e.g., WellBama) for faculty and staff to help people deal with everyday work pressures
- Strengthen the culture within SSW that provides faculty, staff and students with a sense of belonging and inclusivity
Objective 3
Establish a healthy work culture through initiatives that promote professional development and improve infrastructure
Actions
- Provide support for staff who want to attend workshops or conferences that are directly related to their roles within the school
- Offer opportunities for faculty and staff to participate in developing/carrying out process and policy changes
- Improve internal support structure to accommodate student and school growth by evaluating current infrastructure and developing a long-term staffing plan to meet needs associated with student recruitment & support using available resources
- Establish a repository of written documentation for standard processes and offer mentoring for faculty, staff and students to help individuals become more familiar with tasks and processes relevant to their positions
Goal 4 - Community Service & Outreach: Become leaders of social justice and progressive change through partnerships with local, national and global organizations.
Objective 1
Increase local, national and regional community awareness of the UA School of Social Work
Actions
- Conduct a comprehensive review to provide a baseline of current views of the school and set benchmarks for the future image of SSW
- Promote and encourage volunteer opportunities and outreach events, particularly in the Black Belt and other rural regions in Alabama
- Encourage faculty involvement in community engagement and outreach by connecting interested individuals with campus and off-site groups
- Continue to identify and facilitate quality field placements through partnerships with existing entities and new regional groups
- Participate in more legislative changes and proposals related to social justice by holding information sessions with students to discuss how to show support/dissent on various bills and encourage student advocacy through events such as the D.C. programs, Social Work Day on the Hill and NASW Advocacy Day
Objective 2
Increase alumni engagement
Actions
- Regularly send out exit surveys to graduating students at all levels to maintain relationships with our alumni
- Advertise accomplishments and find ways to improve our programs
Objective 3
Increase number of certification and continuing education programs offered to alumni and regional social workers
Actions
- Partner with CCS to schedule, advertise and host in-person workshops and online webinars for professional social workers for CEUs
- Increase advertising for internally developed workshops
- Annually review requirements of the region and state to tailor continuing education programs that respond and adapt to the current needs of the profession
Objective 4
Connect students to donors and alumni to provide students with fundraising experience & opportunities and to provide donors/alumni with a more personal connection with the school
Actions
- Involve students in luncheons and fundraising events where the students can experience meaningful interactions with alumni and donors
- Create brief student videos to use in development (and recruitment) activities
Thank you to everyone in SSW who participated in the creation of this plan.
Schnavia Hatcher, Dean, School of Social Work
Ruth Pionke, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives
Core Committee
David Albright, Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health Research, Director Office for Military Families & Veterans, VitAL Principal Investigator, Distinguished Research Professor
Leah Cheatham, Assistant Professor
Vicki Hobbs, Program Assistant
Lindsey Johnson, Coordinator of Events and Alumni Relations
Carroll Phelps, Senior Instructor, Field Coordinator of the Washington, D.C. Internship Programs for MSW and BSW Students
Mary Sella, Coordinator of Student Services
Brenda Smith, Professor
Shayla Smith, Chief Diversity Officer, BSW Field Coordinator
Sherron Wilkes, MSW Instructor
Credits:
Created with images by jarmoluk - "to read the book library reading room" • krislandina - "wall cement stone" • rudamese - "relax relaxation hands" • krislandina - "wall cement stone" • BruceEmmerling - "hand arm fist" • Hermann - "books stack literature" • DariuszSankowski - "book glasses watch" • truthseeker08 - "hands teamwork team-spirit" • geralt - "people network social media"