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The below email was sent by President Kim Cassidy on February 2, 2016.

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumnae/i, and Friends,

With gratitude for her contributions to the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) and to ��Ӱֱ��, I announce that Dean Darlyne Bailey has decided to step aside as Dean in July 2017.  Darlyne will continue as a member of GSSWSR’s faculty, lead GSSWSR’s Social Justice Initiative, and retain her responsibilities to me as Special Assistant to the President for Community Partnerships.  We deeply appreciate all that Darlyne has brought to GSSWSR and are grateful that she will continue to serve the College, the profession, and the public.  A search for her successor will begin in the fall of 2016.

Darlyne’s renowned leadership in the field of social work is evidenced by her positions in the Council of Social Work Education, the National Association of Deans and Directors, and her appointment as Co-chair of the national Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice in Social Work.  Darlyne also serves on many other boards including the Maternity Care Coalition, the Center for the Advancement of Girls at Agnes Irwin School, the Stoneleigh Foundation, the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, the Suzanne and Richard Pieper Family Foundation, and the National Human Services Assembly.

Darlyne came to ��Ӱֱ�� in 2009 and has led GSSWSR through a period of change and enormous growth.  She created programs through which students participate in social advocacy on a national stage, such as the Social Work Day at the United Nations as well as Social Work Day on the Hill. Darlyne worked with staff to institute substantial changes to the School’s professional development/continuing education program, making it a sought-after resource by social workers region-wide.  She also developed a partnership with the Jefferson College of Population Health, in which students may earn dual degrees in social work and public health.  Darlyne has continued the important work of putting the School on strong financial footing and has made numerous changes to GSSWSR’s building to create a more welcoming space.  Under Darlyne’s leadership, the School’s Board of Advisors has been directly involved in the accomplishment of several School-wide goals, most notably working with the College’s development office to determine priorities and a framework for a comprehensive campaign.  Recently, Darlyne orchestrated a yearlong celebration of GSSWSR’s 100^th anniversary and led the School’s multifaceted reaccreditation process. 

The Social Justice Initiative (SJI) that Darlyne will lead aims to increase teaching, research, and public advocacy around conflict resolution.  A 2017 national conference on “Forgiveness” is its first focus.  In many ways, SJI is a wonderful culmination of Darlyne’s lifelong work -- forging multi-organizational partnerships that help individuals and their communities to survive and thrive.

Darlyne has been a forward-thinking, energetic, and determined agent for change at GSSWSR, as well as a friend and partner to many.  Please join me in offering hearty congratulations and thanks to her and in celebrating her achievements on behalf of GSSWSR.

With best wishes,

Kim Cassidy

President