We’re all together again! We’re here! We’re here!

Years ago, when I was a Girl Scout, we sang this song:
We’re all together again, we’re here, we’re here!
We’re all together again, we’re here, we’re here!
And who knows when we’ll be all together again
Singing all together again, we’re here, we’re here?!

I honestly feel a little like breaking into song in my eagerness about the new academic year! I join the faculty and staff, who have been working diligently on and off campus over the past year, in being excited to welcome everyone back to our campuses again full time in Nashville and Knoxville. We missed the comradery and warmth of our face-to-face connections over the past year. There is something thrilling about being together again, even with masks.

We recognize that we are coming back together in a time of continuing uncertainty around the role of COVID-19 in our daily lives. As such, we are committed to encouraging each member of our community to get vaccinated and to stay vigilant and mask as necessary to protect their health and the health of others.

Associate Dean Camille Hall and the UTCSW Committee on Equity and Inclusion are working hard to engage and support students, faculty, staff, and alumni around issues of anti-racism, equity, and inclusion as outlined in our college’s Diversity Action Plan. We will be infusing our commitment to social justice and equity in all aspects of our College. New Social Justice Innovation Initiatives, Equity and Inclusion fellows, and other activities are planned for the upcoming year, so be on the lookout!

After hard work by our faculty and staff, we have some exciting changes in our curriculum:

• We are launching a new MSSW curriculum this fall for incoming students. This curriculum is strengthened by incorporating themes focused on interprofessional practice, trauma and healing, and equity-focused and anti-oppressive practice throughout the curriculum. We believe that this new curriculum will enhance student learning and better prepare students for future practice.
• Students will be enrolling in our new undergraduate Social Justice minor with the sociology and psychology departments.
• We have two new dual degrees with the UT College of Law (JD/MSSW, MLS/MSSW) designed to reduce students’ time to graduation and cost.
• Our updated online School Social Work post-graduate certificate is ready for people holding social work masters’ degrees who want to work in schools, and we are looking to new continuing education offerings in the future. 

We are thrilled to welcome new faculty and staff and recognize current folks who have taken on additional roles:

• Ms. Tami Walker and Ms. Allison Diehl, Assistant Professors of Practice and Coordinators of Field Education
• Dr. Jovanda Williams Moss, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Ms. Melissa Richter, Communications & Marketing Specialist
• Ms. Carmen Foster, Director of Alumni Affairs
• Dr. Kelly Martin, Director for International Education
• Ms. Kim Denton, Associate Director of Field Education

As more people are vaccinated over the next year, we plan to step up our outreach to alumni and donors. Please look for continuing education trainings, campus speakers, and other events, including some good, old-fashioned tailgates in Knoxville, Nashville, and perhaps a town near you!

We continue to move forward in our strategic planning process, so know that you will be asked for feedback in the near future. I hope each of you will participate in our strategic conversations. We hope to have a “working plan” by the end of 2021.

It is an exciting time, and we hope you will find ways to continue to be a vital part of the UT College of Social Work! Let’s get this semester rolling and Go Vols!

Lori