July 23, 2008 - Indiana University School of Social Work Dean Michael Patchner has announced Dr. Virginia Majewski will become the Associate Dean of the School this academic year.
Dr. Majewski has been at West Virginia University where she served as Chairperson of the Division of Social Work for the past six years. In her new duties as Associate Dean, Dr. Majewski will provide oversight and administrative support to the School’s BSW, MSW, and Ph.D. programs in social work and the AS and BS programs in Labor Studies. The School of Social Work is distinguished by having the oldest university-affiliated social work program in the nation. It currently operates programs on seven IU campuses across Indiana.
“I feel like I am a social worker to the soul,” Dr. Majewski commented during a visit to the IUPUI campus in March. “I was always engaged in volunteer and community work, including many years with the YWCA and YMCA in various roles.”
Dr. Majewski grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. Her primary focus in the social work profession is community organizing, policy advocacy, and administration. Most recently, she has co-directed a research group with the purpose of advocating for more effective policies and programs for returning war veterans.
Her duties with the Social Work and Labor Studies programs will allow her to stay close to social work. “I have been an administrator in social work education for over 11 years and I definitely like the challenges of educational leadership. This position affords a way to advance professionally, take on more responsibilities, and still remain engaged as a professional social worker,” she said of the associate dean’s position.
She was also attracted to Indiana University because of its dedicated service learning scholarship. The Center for Service and Learning at IUPUI is probably the top center for such scholarship in the country, Dr. Majewski said. In 2007, she co-edited a book, Social Work and Service Learning: Partnerships for Social Justice, published by Rowman & Littlefield.
Dr. Majewski said she has been following the School’s on-going discussion concerning a new strategic plan and is impressed by the level of enthusiasm and the level of involvement by the faculty. “Just seeing the level of feed-back to that process is something I’ve never experienced before.”
Dean Patchner said, “The IU School of Social Work is very fortunate to attract someone with her level of experience and accomplishment. Having directed two schools of social work, Dr. Majewski is a skilled administrator and has acquired a national reputation in social work education. All of us at the School of Social Work will benefit from her experience, expertise, and leadership capabilities.”
Dr. Majewski is expected to complete her move from Morgantown, WV. to Indianapolis in early August and is excited about the prospect of helping to support and lead the School.
For more information contact Rob Schneider at the Indiana University School of Social Work at 317-278-0303 or at robschn@iupui.edu.
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