Our doctoral alumni Dr. John Bricout (Ph.D., 1998) has accepted the position of Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Community Outreach at the University of Texas at Arlington effective this Fall. We send John congratulations and best wishes as he transitions away from Director of Research in the School of Social Work at Central Florida University.
Congratulations to Keita M. Franklin and Sharon Foreman Kready for their successful proposal defenses this past week!
Keita’s dissertation is titled The impact of wartime deployments and psychological well-being on family relationships: A secondary data analysis of Air Force Community Assessment data. The project is chaired by Holly Matto, with support from Pat Dattalo and Delores Dungee-Anderson inside the School, Barbara Myers from Psychology, and James A. Martin of the Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research at Bryn Mawr College, who is a national expert in military social work.
Sharon’s dissertation is titled Organizational culture and partnership process: A grounded theory study of community-campus partnerships. The project is chaired by Sarah Kye Price, with support from Tim Davey, our own Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Ellen Netting, our Wurtzel Chair inside the School, and Cathy Howard, VCU’s Vice Provost for Community Engagement.
Impressive committees and important research ! And, congratulations are also in order for Holly and Sarah, both chairing dissertations for the first time. It’s now on to the IRB and data collection for these Ph.D. candidates !
Our own Dr. Grace E. Harris joins the RPI Alumni Golden Circle Club this year as she celebrates her 50th anniversary of graduating from Richmond Professional Institute (RPI). Emeritus Dean of the VCU School of Social Work, VCU Provost and interim President of the University (1995 and 1998), Dr. Harris is VCU’s longest serving administrator providing more than forty years of service.
Dr Harris blazed a remarkable and historic career path at Virginia Commonwealth University. Earning an undergraduate degree in sociology from Hampton Institute in 1954, she was originally denied admission into graduate school at Richmond Professional Institute because of her race. Subsequently, Dr. Harris joined the SSW faculty in 1967 and became the Social Work Dean in 1982 serving in that capacity until 1990. She continued to rise through the ranks academically and within senior administrative ranks achieving the position of Provost- the University’s highest academic officer.
Dr. Harris has been a pioneer in so many ways and has always remained focused on students, staff and the reputation and quality of VCU. 
Upon her retirement in 1999, the Board of Visitors created the Grace E. Harris Leadership institute, which she continues to lead. The University also named an academic building, Grace E. Harris Hall, in her honor in 2008. In a 1995 article in VCU’s alumni magazine Dr. Harris stated: “Becoming Dean was the most significant professional accomplishment and personal victory for me, given the complete turn of events it entailed.”
Please join the School of Social Work, the School of Social Work Alumni Network (SSWAN), the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute and the VCU Alumni Association in recognizing and honoring Dr. Harris’ noteworthy achievements.
A reception will be held in Scott Hall at 5:30 P. M. on Thursday evening, April 15th, where Dr. Harris will speak on Leadership in Social Work.
Please RSVP to sswrsvp@vcu.edu or 804-828-1030.
Congratulations to several of our faculty who are highlighted in university publications/media outlets:
Timothy Davey, along with several staff from VCU Creative Services is one of the collaborative teams being profiled in the Tech Transfer Annual Report for the SINC system — the online system that matches students with internships. As most of you know, Tim and his team have been working with Tech Transfer to bring this system to market in the past year.
Sarah Price is highlighted in the 2009 Annual Report of the Center for Health Disparities for her contributions in making community connections to further the Center’s goals.
And, if you haven’t noticed, Jenny Jones has been showing up on the VCU home page as part of a Black History panel discussion.
Congratulations again to these faculty and the positive visibility they bring to the School of Social Work … you make us proud!
Dr. Baskind has been recognized by the University of Connecticut School of Social Work as an alumnus making a difference as a pioneer and change agent. Read article at
Deanship candidate Dr. Anna Scheyett visits VCU on Friday, March 12. We hope to see you.
8:30-9:45 Presentation – Future of Social Work Education, Student Commons, Virginia Rooms C/D
4:00-5:00 Community Forum, Scott House
5:00-6:00 Reception, Scott House
Deanship candidate Dr. Jim Hinterlong visits VCU on Monday, March 8. We hope to see you.
12:00-1:15 Presentation – Future of Social Work Education, Student Commons, Virginia Rooms C/D
4:00-5:00 Community Forum, Scott House
5:00-6:00 Reception, Scott House
For more information please visit: http://www.sswdeansearch.vcu.edu/finalists/index.html
Deanship candidate Dr. Tim Davey visits VCU today and tomorrow (March 4-5). We hope to see you! http://www.sswdeansearch.vcu.edu/finalists/index.html
Myra Isaacs joined the faculty in February 2010, as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the School of Social Work. For over eight years prior to joining VCU, she facilitated the development of annual funds, stakeholder participation and community outreach for a number of community agencies including United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia Supportive Housing and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, as well as providing programmatic support. An alumna of University of Michigan, Georgia State University and New York University, Ms. Isaacs earned advanced degrees in Health Services Administration and Business as well as a B.A. in City Planning and Urban Design. She completed her final graduate course work in business at the VCU School of Business. Please join us in welcoming Myra to our School!
