Welcoming a new faculty member: Meet Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds

By Sarah J. Watson

The UB School of Social Work welcomed a new faculty member this fall, Clinical Assistant Professor Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, LMSW. In an introductory interview, she shares professional interests, areas of expertise, passions and self-care practices.

Tell us about your research or professional interests. What are you working on now?

My interests are anchored in social work management, specifically the beneficial impact that trauma-informed and human rights perspectives can have on social workers, programs and organizations, as well as the collective influence these perspectives can have on creating more socially just and equitable policies.

Prior to full-time academia, I spent 24 years in community-based nonprofits, with an emphasis in crisis intervention-related organizations and programs. The last three years I served as an adjunct in the school instructing Interventions I and II. I am looking forward to working with faculty in meaningful, collaborative ways using my expertise and knowledge for the betterment of the profession.

What would you consider yourself to be an expert on?

My career in the crisis intervention space has allowed me to work deeply in the areas of sexual violence and domestic violence. My work in mental health crisis engaged me at tables specifically around mental health diversion, towards mental health services and away from unnecessary higher levels of care or law enforcement response. 

In both spaces, I’ve worked at a variety of multidisciplinary tables, where stakeholders from diverse perspectives — including medical, judicial, criminal justice, social services, forensics, county departments, collegiate, etc. — regularly came together around a cause (usually prevention and response). I have worked closely with local and state legislators to promote or advance a cause. I am also adept at working in and understanding union environments as management, where nonprofit staff are represented.

Working in the macro environment over the last two decades has provided me the honor and opportunity to provide staff supervision to many social workers over the years. Having a framework of trauma-informed care for supervision has been an incredible value add to the experience of social workers as staff members, and one I will continue to promote and advocate for. My leadership experience demonstrated for me the value and need for social workers to be in management and executive roles to not only see the holistic view of the organization, board and staff who propel the mission every day, but to do so while staying grounded in our ethical and human rights approach when doing nonprofit work.

What are you passionate about?

Building a positive and safe culture for students in the classroom is very important to me. I also am a firm believer of self-awareness in the work, whether that is with students, clients, colleagues, etc. To that end, using a trauma-informed approach with staff supervision and organizational management is another passion of mine. Advocacy at all levels is something I promote with social workers, specifically how we can operationalize this on a micro, mezzo or macro level.

What do you like to do for fun or self-care?

I really enjoy spending time with my husband, our teenagers and our dogs. We do a lot of outdoor activities together, including camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming and outdoor concerts. I love a good road trip and adventuring. In my downtime, I really enjoy reading, yoga, catching up with friends, attempting to have a green thumb and taking a solid nap.