Missouri State > University Communications > Campus Resources > News Releases > February 2008 > News Release

SPRINGFIELD – The School of Social Work at Missouri State University continues to make progress on the improvement plan developed in May 2007. According to Dr. Belinda McCarthy, university provost, a number of decisions pertaining to the program have been made and are now being implemented. Included in these decisions are the appointment of a new director for a three-year term, the active recruitment of candidates for several faculty positions, and the admission of a smaller, more selective, group of incoming students.

 

“It is fair to say that we are making progress,” said McCarthy, “but we still have much to do. We believe it is necessary to re-invent the social work program along a number of dimensions and we are committed to doing so in order that it can proudly serve our community and state for many years.”

 

Dr. Susan Dollar has been named director for a three-year term, effective July 1, 2008, pending Board of Governors approval on March 14.

 

Dollar is an associate professor and has been serving as the Master of Social Work (MSW) program coordinator. She received her bachelor of health services management and her master of social work degrees both from the University of Missouri, and her Ph.D. degree from Tulane University. 

 

Dollar has been on the Missouri State School of Social Work faculty since 2001. During her 6½ years at Missouri State, says McCarthy, Dollar has taught in both the Bachelor of Social Work and MSW programs; developed and taught an on-line course; participated in the preparation of Council on Social Work Education accreditation documents; served as principal investigator for a major external grant; demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills; and shown a commitment to working collaboratively.

 

Dollar replaces Dr. Etta Madden, professor of English, who has served as interim director since Aug. 24, 2006, and will remain in that role until June 30, 2008.

 

As part of the school’s Plan for Improvement, searches began in the fall 2007 for four vacant faculty positions, all of which are expected to be filled by fall 2008. McCarthy says she is pleased at the credentials and experience of the candidates. In an effort to facilitate the regeneration of the program under new leadership, four tenured faculty members will be reassigned to other duties and positions within the university this fall.

 

Meanwhile, applications from prospective students for the social work program continue to be strong, which is yet another sign of interest and need, according to McCarthy.

 

“We do intend to admit fewer students than in the past,” said McCarthy. “Until we can get all the pieces in place, our emphasis will be on quality. As the program is re-built, we will gradually increase the number of students accepted. We believe that is the prudent approach.”