Social Work Scholar and Educator Named Director of School of Social Work at Colorado State University

A social work director and professor with over 20 years of experience in the field has been named director of the School of Social Work at Colorado State University.

Deborah Valentine, who will step into her new post this summer, previously served as director of the Division of Social Work at the University of Wyoming for two years. She spent 15 years as a professor at the University of South Carolina, a tenure highlighted by developing and directing a highly successful doctoral social work program at the university.

"Colorado State University has a great reputation among national social work leaders," Valentine said. "I’m looking forward to advancing their wonderful academic reputation."

Valentine has a broad range of expertise in the social work field and has published books and articles on issues relating to child abuse and neglect, adoption and developmental disabilities. Her current research focuses primarily on social work education, disabilities and violence.

"Deborah’s expertise with advanced degree programs in social work will enable our program to continue to advance our master’s degree program," said Nancy Hartley, dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences. "Her progressive work with disabled individuals will contribute knowledge and expertise to our college interdisciplinary priority area in disabilities."

Valentine also will work on creating and directing an interdisciplinary doctoral program for the school and promote an international effort to work with people from many different cultures.

Valentine will assume leadership of the school in July 2002. She replaces Ben Granger, who has served as director since 1992.

Granger’s legacy at Colorado State includes a significant name change from department to School of Social Work, improving the school’s national reputation, creating a graduate program on the Western Slope of Colorado and advancing the national standing of the master’s degree program, and promoting diversity as a top priority at the school.