Dean’s Column
Dear Alumni and Friends,
Social work is vital.
Let me say that again: Social work is — and will always be — vital.
I have been echoing this refrain all year in conversations and speeches and will continue to do so in the months ahead. In these challenging times, as our values are tested and many of the populations we serve face overwhelming uncertainty, we must always remember that our work matters. Our profession matters.
As Rachel Eastlack, MSW ’20, reminds us in this issue of Mosaics, social workers are needed everywhere — not just in traditional settings, but in all types of organizations and industries.
As social workers, we appreciate the inherent dignity and worth of all people. We champion diversity, prioritize accessibility and pursue social and racial justice for all. We understand that you cannot “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” if you don’t have shoes, both literally and figuratively, and if the systems around you reinforce that status quo.
Thus, as social workers, we create opportunities for individuals to build on their strengths and improve their quality of life, while advocating for systemic change. Our research, too, is vital, as we develop new, evidence-based interventions and discover innovative ways to alleviate social problems through policy and practice. We must continue our quest for professional growth and development, upholding the profession’s standards for one another in an effort to provide optimal service delivery at all times.
In this issue, every story demonstrates how vital social work is to communities and society. Ava Lockwood, MSW ’25, gives us tools to advocate for reproductive justice, and three alumni share how an emerging treatment method — ketamine-assisted psychotherapy — is helping clients. From their research, faculty colleagues Michael Lynch and Alexander Rubin discuss AI in practice and Nancy J. Smyth shows why effective communication is crucial to patient care. Elsewhere, you can read how social workers from our UB community make a positive impact in schools, libraries and beyond.
As always, thank you for supporting the School of Social Work and for the vital work you do every day.
In camaraderie and solidarity,
Keith A. Alford, PhD, ACSW
Dean and Professor