DSU, UD launch new collaborative relationship in social work

The University of Delaware’s new entrance into the academic arena of social work has opened up a new collaboration relationship between the First State’s northernmost university and Delaware State University.

DSU and UD held an April 26 joint forum entitled “Celebrating Social Work in Our Communities.” The morning forum – held in the Slaybaugh Hall auditorium at DSU Downtown – featured a panel discussion and also a keynote address by guest speaker Dalissy Washington, the founder and CEO of The Compassion Agents, who spoke on her work as a licensed clinical social worker with immigrant families.

While for the last 47 years, DSU has had the only social work degree program in the State of Delaware – currently offering associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in that discipline – that unique distinction in the First State higher education landscape will change when UD begins offering a Master of Social Work degree program.

Dr. Gwen Scott-Jones, Dean of the DSU Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, said the event was a celebration by DSU and UD of what the discipline of social work means for the communities of Delaware.

“As a trained social worker, I am excited about our collaboration because the labor statistics indicate that the need for social workers is growing,” Dr. Scott-Jones said. “More specifically, the State of Delaware will benefit from both institutions producing graduates from our social work programs to become gainfully employed in our community.” 

The need for professional social workers is increasing in Delaware, with the new state mandate that all schools must employ a mental health professional—including social workers—for every 350 students in high school settings.

“We are ready to roll up our sleeves with our colleagues at Del State and start to realize the possibilities of having two complementary programs in the State of Delaware,” said Dr. Gary Henry, the Dean of UD’s College of Education and Human Development. “We’re hoping that the folks leading the new doctorate in social work at Del State will come up (to UD) and let our students know about the opportunities to pursue a higher degree in social work at DSU.”