The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program is changing leadership this fall with Dr. Lizzie Bowland stepping away as the director to focus on the gerontology efforts at the college, while Dr. Katherine Montgomery will step in to serve as the interim director of the program.
Bowland, a nationally recognized expert in gerontological social work, intends to focus on redesigning the curriculum for the gerontology certificate. She plans to have students from different departments across campus studying gerontology while interacting in the same space. “Students bring their own disciplinary lenses, but due to their interactions with other students, there will be cross-fertilization leading them to new discoveries, such as using AI robots to support caregivers, designing more user-friendly home environments, or developing a program using older volunteers,” she explained. “We will even have them imagining their own futures as older persons. We hope they will interact with older adults so that they can learn about the aging process and how to emerge as a wise and engaged older person.
Montgomery is excited about the idea of being a part of one of the first nationally accredited DSW programs in the country. “I am thrilled to serve as the interim director of our DSW program here at the UTK College of Social Work,” she said. “The need for social work leaders to bridge the ‘research-to-practice’ gap remains critical. Our students learn how to apply evidence-informed processes to enhance practice with their clients, organizations, and communities. Our DSW graduates become practitioner-scholars whose advanced clinical and research training informs their practice.”
Montgomery brings years of practice experience and organizational leadership with programs serving youth and families, along with research expertise on evidence-based delinquency prevention, school-based intervention, and implementation science. She will bring that knowledge, skills, and experience to the DSW program, noting, “To have the opportunity to support such a strong program with such an important mission is a privilege. I believe our DSW program is one of the best in the country, and most of my short-term goals center around providing continuity.”
Bowland agrees that the DSW program is strong and has much to offer to communities across the country. And she hopes that there could be a nice intersection with DSW graduates potentially working in the gerontology field. “There is a shortage of professionals, and the population of those over 65 years of age is growing,” she stated. “Ageism in our society often diminishes the value of older persons, but providers working in the field of aging, such as librarians, designers, clergy, nurses, counselors, social workers, etc., report that they value their interactions with older adults and often feel appreciated for the services they provide. It is time to move beyond these worn-out stereotypes toward more intergenerational dialogue and enjoyment. We are all part of the web of life.”