President Cassidy Announces New Dean for the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
The message below was sent by President Kim Cassidy on June 23.
Dear Students and Alumni of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Faculty, and Staff,
I am delighted to announce that Janet Shapiro -- professor, faculty director of Academic Affairs, and director of the Center for Child and Family Wellbeing -- will assume the role of Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) in July 2017. I thank the College’s Leadership Transition Committee, chaired by Sharon Burgmayer, which recommended a process through which the School could consider qualifications of internal candidates and senior leaders at other graduate social work programs; I also want to thank the search committee, which brought together representatives of the faculty, students, staff, and Board of Advisors to make an outstanding selection for this leadership position.
The role of Dean is crucial as we continue the scholarship and community engagement of GSSWSR, a professional school with a 100-year history of academic rigor. The School leads our campus as a whole in a commitment to social justice and connects Bryn Mawr in meaningful ways to the larger community. I look forward to Janet’s leadership as we work with our faculty, students, staff, and the community to continue to develop cutting-edge research, educate students, and provide opportunities to support our society as a whole.
Janet stood out to the search committee as the person best able to lead the School because of her impressive leadership experience, vision for the School, and scholarship. Over the past 20 years at Bryn Mawr, Janet has held roles as the Director of the Doctoral Program at GSSWSR, Faculty Director of Academic Affairs, Coordinator of the Clinical Social Work Concentration, and Director of the Center for Child and Family Wellbeing. She has also produced important contributions to research on the impact of trauma on children and families, including (most recently) resilience in refugee and immigrant families. In her scholarship, leadership, and teaching, Janet has been a wise and constructive advisor to students and colleagues, a collaborative and strategic thinker, and a careful listener who builds partnerships while leading change.
Beyond her work at GSSWSR, Janet has provided important service to the College as a member of the Graduate Council, the Steering Committee for the Child and Family Studies minor, the Ad-hoc Committee on the Development of AB/MSS programming, and the Committee on Academic Priorities. Her ability to represent the interests of GSSWSR while acting on behalf of the entire institution has consistently strengthened both the School and the College.
Because Dean Darlyne Bailey will continue as dean in the coming academic year, there will be ample time for a thoughtful and collaborative transition. I am grateful to Darlyne for her enthusiastic support of Janet and this process and for offering this generous transition period, which will ensure the School’s continued momentum.
Please join me in thanking Darlyne and congratulating Janet on her appointment as the next Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. I look forward to the continued success of GSSWSR.
With warm wishes,
Kim Cassidy
President