Many exciting things have happened at the College of Social Work (CSW) since the end of the spring semester last May.
The college has officially moved into our new home in Stokely Management Center (SMC). Our college occupies the fifth and seventh floors, including updated classrooms, student group work areas and study spaces, a student organization meeting space, student and faculty/staff lounges, a social event space, and, of course, the famous orange piano.
We will be having an Open House, along with some other educational and community activities, on Thursday, September 12th to showcase our new space to friends and supporters of the college. Please save the date, and we will send out more info about the specifics of our day of celebration!
As we look ahead to the new academic year, we are excited to welcome a record number of students into the CSW. We are expecting a total of 995 students across all our programs, a 14% increase from our highest-ever enrollment in 2021! We are thrilled to be preparing new social workers to make a difference in a world that needs them more than ever. This growth is part of our college’s strategic plan to prepare a highly skilled social work workforce for the state of Tennessee, the country, and the world.
Additionally, three exceptional scholars will be joining our faculty this fall. Dr. Rubén Parra-Cardona, Roger and Carol Nooe Endowed Chair; Dr. Bridget Friesthler, Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in mental health; and Dr. Tiffany Washington, Associate Professor. The addition of these three distinguished faculty marks one of the most significant hiring endeavors in recent years. These senior researchers bring a wealth of experience in intervention and community-based research, enhancing our already stellar team of faculty and research staff. Together with our exceptional students and academic staff, the College of Social Work is poised to soar into the future with strength and innovation.
Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and our college. We could not be more excited about what is yet to come.
We are truly a college on the rise!
—Dean Lori Messinger