Allan Cole, Dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHS), announced the appointment of Erin Cantrell-Martinez as the school’s Interim Director of the DiNitto Career Center.
“Since joining SHS this year, Erin has made significant contributions to the Center’s work,” said Cole. “I am eager for Erin to build on the important legacy of the DiNitto Center, which has long been a model for excellence in social work education for the approach taken to train our students and alumni in interviewing, professional development, career planning, and several other professional skills.”
Described by Cole as a “creative-minded advocate for social and environmental justice,” Cantrell-Martinez has a keen interest in helping provide more equitable access to both traditional and nontraditional career opportunities in the profession of social work. She brings over 15 years of experience across a range of industries, including roles at the Mellon Foundation and Columbia University Medical Center.
Erin’s predecessor, Jennifer Luna, created the first social work career center in the country, which became the DiNitto Center. She also launched the Social Work Alumni Network (SWAN) in 1997 and developed the only academic branding program for doctoral students in the nation, among other innovations.
“The DiNitto Center has served as an invaluable source for strengthening the SHS network of graduates and providing several generations of social workers with enviable support and resources for career development,” said Cole. “I am most grateful for Jennifer’s contributions to school and the social work profession, and we look to strengthening and building our partnership with our alumni network.”