Columbia needs a social worker to lead The School of Social Work

There are many well qualified Social Workers whom would be great for that position. Very unfortunate that this decision was made. As an alum, I disagree with the decision.

What skills and experience does the non-social worker have to inform their leadership over the Columbia School of Social Work program?

Please use non social workers for the provost position or operating officer position. Please honor this profession by making the Dean someone with an MSW. Thank you.

I am disheartened to read of this appointment by my alma mater. While those of us who lead social work member organizations work diligently to demonstrate the need for licensed and trained social workers across workplace and industry settings, Columbia School of Social Work undermines our argument by deciding no one in our profession has the right skills to lead us forward. At question is not the skill of the newDean, but why anyone thinks public health/population health is a stand in for social work.

I find I already argue against other professionals being called Social Workers when they are not. This appointment further confuses the definition of a Social Worker.

I can not imagine the School of Business would appoint someone with no business degree, or the School of Medicine would name a Dean with no MD. This appointment is completely inappropriate and will lower the standing of the Columbia University School of Social Work.

Serena Williams would also like to announce Michael Jordan as her new coach.

I am appalled that Columbia U would do something like this. The Social Work profession needs to be lead by other social workers. A school of Columbia’s standing sends s strong message that the profession does not need to be lead by s.w. educators. I disagree with Columbia’s decision and hope they will reconsider. This is shameful.

The Columbia School of Social Work has a nationwide reputation as an outstanding program. The appointment of a non-social worker to the position of Dean is just a first step in the erosion of the status of the program. Social media will ensure that this wrong headed decision will be broadcast widely through NASW, Facebook, Instagram, etc. It's not too late to undo this decision!!

Would you hire someone without any experience in business to lead a school of business?

This is unconscionable!

Hiring a non-social worker for this position is inappropriate. I wonder what the students of the School of Social Work are thinking about Columbia’s view of their chosen profession in light of this appointment? It appears that the leadership of Columbia doesn’t value the skills, ethics and insight a Social Worker would have in leading the school. There are extraordinary social workers who could fill this position.

How strange and sad for the Columbia School of ???? to have made this decision.

Portland, Oregon MSW from University of California, Berkeley 1986 It is unfathomable that a major academic Social Work institution might be headed by other than an accomplished social worker.

Without the skillset, knowledge, and training, this in inappropriate. You're hiring a plumber to lead a group of teachers. How is that for achieving success? Especially in what is supposed to be a top not university. Not anymore.

Research indicates social workers benefit from leadership among their ranks. To not do so would definitely impact the quality of the staff and ultimately, the level of expertise of the students. Please reconsider.

Very disappointed by this appointment, after social workers already have to fight so hard for respect as a profession with the capabilities for leadership.

There are so many qualified social worker that can fill this position take the time to find one

As a licensed social worker, a non degreed Social Work professional would not be a good candidate to teach the values and ethics of Social Work practice. The cswe has specific standards for the curriculum and how can someone be the dean over a program with no knowledge base.

This is unacceptable. No University program should employ a chair from outside of the program discipline.