Messages from the Dean
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Brooke S. West has now successfully passed through all stages of review, including the University Trustees, and has been granted tenure at Columbia University. This is a tremendous milestone to Dr. West’s exceptional scholarship, impactful teaching, and meaningful contributions to both our School and University community.
As a medical sociologist, Dr. West focuses her research on the social, economic, physical, and policy determinants of health disparities among marginalized and criminalized populations both domestically and globally. Her work addresses…
It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Robert D. Eschmann has successfully passed all stages of review, including approval by the University Trustees, and has been granted tenure at Columbia University.
The awarding of tenure reflects the University’s belief in the excellence of a scholar’s research, teaching, and mentoring, and their vital contributions to the intellectual life of the institution. A rigorous, multi-level review is involved. As many of you know, Dr. Eschmann’s innovative research focuses on the intersection of race, education, and technology, with a particular emphasis…
Next week, many of our students will walk across the stage as the 2025 graduates of the Columbia School of Social Work. Our newest graduates will take their knowledge and skills and apply them to promote justice in the professional spaces where they choose to work. Your voices are needed.
I am delighted to share the wonderful news that Dr. Desmond Upton Patton, the Brian and Randi Schwartz University Professor and PIK University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice, will be Columbia School of Social Work’s 2025 commencement speaker.
At times of great chaos and confusion, I find it helpful (even necessary, in fact) to take a step back – to breathe, to think, to try to gain a new perspective. I believe this is one of those times.
You have no doubt seen Columbia in the news extensively over the past few weeks. There is so much news coming at us that it is difficult to keep up.
There is so much going on in our larger world, and right here at the University – some changes that affect us directly, some indirectly, and some that affect those around us in our communities. This is likely to continue to happen for some time.
I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the last few weeks with family, friends, and loved ones, taking well-deserved time to relax and restore over winter break.
Congratulations on nearing the end of the semester. I commend each of you for your hard work over the last several months in your courses and practicum placements.
This month will be a critical time for our country and our campus. Many of us have cast our ballots or will be doing so tomorrow on Election Day. As we await results in these divisive times, it is understandable that we may feel uncertainty, anxiety, or fear.
On Wednesday, October 9th, CSSW found a display of unapproved fliers and other materials in the student/staff lounge. Action was taken to remove these materials as soon as administrators became aware of them.
As we enter into our second full month on campus together, I hope you are feeling inspired by your colleagues and classmates and excited about the year ahead.