Dean’s Column

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As the School of Social Work’s 90th anniversary year continues, I’m reflecting on the collaborative effort it took to establish and grow our school into the world-class institution it is today. Beginning with humble roots in 1934, our school community has been united by our goal as social workers to advance the dignity and worth of humankind. Indeed, working together is the only way that we can effectively achieve our mission of education, research and service.

It is also through unity that we will boldly chart the future of the UB School of Social Work. This year, U.S. News & World Report once again ranked UB among the top 25 schools of social work in the nation, but we are certainly not resting on our laurels.

We have begun implementing a new five-year strategic plan that builds upon our many strengths and incorporates perspectives from stakeholders across the school. At the core of this plan — and our school’s mission — is a commitment to elevating trauma-informed care and human rights and to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in a society where such assurance is needed more than ever. We know that to be trauma-informed one must also be racially informed. We seek to understand the immensity of racial trauma and we remain committed in our quest for social and racial justice.

The five pillars that will guide our progress over the next five years are:

1. Accelerate social work research and scholarly eminence for a trauma-informed, equitable future
2. Create a dynamic learning environment that prepares leaders, practitioners and scholars to solve diverse 21st century challenges
3. Increase the diversity and success of our faculty, staff, administration and students to reflect the communities we serve
4. Foster a culture of community, belonging, inclusion and accessibility
5. Deepen our engagement with communities to foster mutually beneficial relationships

I invite you to read more at socialwork.buffalo.edu/strategic-plan. Achieving such lofty goals will require engagement from every member of our school community, so I hope you will join us in building upon our 90-year legacy through this vision. As we uphold our longstanding connectivity, we will keep striving to make a positive difference. This favorite refrain is one that I wholeheartedly espouse.

Thank you for your continued advocacy and partnership. As alumni, you carry UB with you wherever you go, and I look forward to the meaningful work we will do together in the months and years ahead.

In camaraderie and solidarity,

Keith A. Alford, PhD, ACSW
Dean and Professor