As Center for Veterinary Social Work (CVSW) Director and Founder, Dr. Elizabeth Strand steps down to pursue a lifelong passion, Dr. Pam Linden has been named the interim director for 2025-2026. A search for the new director will begin in Fall 2025.
A quick interview was conducted with both Drs. Strand and Linden sharing their reflections and their plans for the future. Excerpts of the interviews are included below.
Dr. Elizabeth Strand
What are your plans for the next chapter of your career?
After years of sharing a joint appointment with the College of Social Work and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), I will remain on faculty as a CVM Clinical Professor. Beginning this fall, I will shift my primary focus to pursue a lifelong passion: I’ve been admitted to the Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. I am thankful to Dean Plummer and Dean Messinger, who agreed to support this next step in my career. I am moving into this next chapter with purpose and gratitude.
What will you miss the most about leaving the role of director?
Letting go of CVSW leadership is not a decision I take lightly. It is, however, one made with clarity. The center is strong, its roots are deep, and its branches are reaching in exciting new directions. My heart will always be with the work, but no longer with the day-to-day managing of it.
Some of the highlights I will always carry with me are:
- We raised over $1 million in endowments and gifts.
- We authored 36+ peer-reviewed manuscripts, with over 1,000 citations across disciplines.
- We founded and led the first six International Veterinary Social Work Summits.
- We created two certificate programs now used globally to train veterinarians, social workers, and support staff in veterinary social work.
- We helped normalize conversations around suicide prevention, compassion fatigue, and the emotional cost of care.
But beyond the metrics, it is the people and partnerships I cherish most—students who found their calling, veterinarians who found healing, clients who found support, and colleagues who became co-dreamers. I look forward to honoring and maintaining these relationships in new ways as I move forward in my work.
Dr. Pam Linden
What was your previous role with the college, and how will that help you in your new role?
As a Research Associate Professor in the College of Social Work, I have been actively engaged with the Center for Veterinary Social Work. I have had the opportunity to lead and collaborate on several interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of veterinary medicine and social work. My work focuses on research, program development, and community partnerships, which are all central components of the Center for Veterinary Social Work. I’ve worked extensively with students, faculty, and external partners, which has given me a clear understanding of the center’s mission and its role within the College of Social Work and the University of Tennessee. This experience provides me with a strong foundation to step into the interim director role with both continuity and vision.
What are your immediate plans once the transition takes place?
My immediate focus will be on maintaining stability within the center while continuing to support our ongoing projects and partnerships. I plan to meet individually with key stakeholders, such as social work and veterinary faculty, staff, and students, along with our community partners and donors, to listen to their insights and priorities. This listening phase will help me identify immediate operational needs and opportunities to strengthen collaboration within the university and with external organizations. I will also ensure that essential programs, such as student engagement opportunities and community outreach efforts, remain supported and aligned with the center’s mission.
Do you have any long-term goals/ideas for things you would like to see happen as you get settled into this role?
As I get settled into this role, I would like to focus on several long-term goals:
–Expanding access to veterinary social work education: I think we can expand our curriculum offerings, certificate programs, and continuing education for professionals.
–Enhancing research and program evaluation: I would like to grow our capacity for applied research that demonstrates the impact of veterinary social work on both human and animal well-being.
–Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration: I see opportunities to further integrate veterinary social work internationally into areas like public health, human medicine, and community sheltering.
–Building sustainable funding strategies: I foresee us pursuing grant opportunities and strategic partnerships to ensure the long-term viability of the center.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. The Center for Veterinary Social Work represents a truly unique and impactful model of interdisciplinary collaboration, and I’m committed to ensuring its continued growth and relevance. I look forward to working closely with the dedicated team at the College of Social Work and College of Veterinary Medicine, and our partners across the university and beyond to advance this important work.