Dear Colleagues,
After 8 years as dean at UConn, I am stepping down to return to faculty. I am delighted to share with you the news of our incoming dean who will join us in mid-August.
She joins UConn from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, where she serves as the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. Prior to serving as Vice Provost, Dr. Curran held the position of Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
In her role as Vice Provost, Dr. Curran was responsible for strategic initiatives that support faculty leadership, mentoring, recruitment, and retention as well as directing the Center for Faculty Success. She served as a key member of multiple high-level strategic planning initiatives including the Academic Master Plan, which encompassed initiatives addressing student, faculty, and staff well-being as well as inclusive pedagogy and teaching excellence.
Dr. Curran's scholarship focuses on three main areas: social work and social welfare history; women's perinatal health and well-being; and social work education. Dr. Curran is a productive researcher with an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Her work has received funding from the New Jersey, Department of Health, the New York Community Trust, and the Association of Social Work Boards, among other entities.
Dr. Curran earned her B.A. from Barnard College, an M.S.W. from Columbia University, and her PhD from UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Curran practiced as a social worker in the areas of community mental health and child welfare. She is currently an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Social Work Education.
Our SSW community is delighted to welcome Dr. Curran to UConn. She is an engaged, experienced and visionary leader who will bring enormous gifts to our community. I know that she will benefit from the community at NADD as I have.
Best wishes,
Nina Heller
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nina heller
Dean and Zachs Chair
UConn
Hartford CT
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