Dean’s Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Our profession has always been associated with an unwavering commitment to the values of equity, inclusion, and accessibility (EIA). The same commitment informs the mission of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHS), which is to “Provide national leadership to promote social and economic justice, alleviate critical social problems, and enhance human well-being.”
Stewarded by an outstanding faculty, our academic programs and curricula are designed and delivered in ways that equip students at every level of study with the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to lead in the ways our mission identifies. We educate students to lead organizations and people in complex and inequitable structures and systems, and in a manner informed not only by an accurate assessment of the range of personal and social problems but by possible solutions for them in service to the common good.
I am convinced that we will advance our school’s mission and meet the obligations of the social work profession because we place a shared and steadfast commitment to social justice at the center of our educational approach. This approach includes valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and recognizing and working to overcome any form of discrimination based on gender, class, race, language, nativity, religion, ability, and other social identities.
Dr. Esther Calzada, who serves as Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, leads our school’s EIA efforts. She and I, along with the SHS faculty, staff, and leadership, will work hard to ensure that the values of EIA remain central to our community life, work, and vision.
I am driven to grow personally and to lead in a school community where commitments to social justice and the values of EIA are palpable. Please join me in these efforts.
Sincerely,
Allan Cole
Dean