Announcements

Announcing the CSSW Dean Search Committee

August 26, 2026
A photo of the front of the Columbia School of Social Work building.

Dear members of the Columbia School of Social Work community,

I write today to announce the membership of the search committee for the next dean of the Columbia School of Social Work.

The committee will be chaired by Amy Hungerford, executive vice president for arts and sciences, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Ruth Fulton Benedict Professor of English and Comparative Literature, and will include faculty from CSSW and across Columbia. I am grateful to each member of the search committee for agreeing to undertake this important responsibility and for the time, judgment, and care they will bring to this search.

Committee members:

  • Ana Abraído-Lanza, professor of social work and vice dean, CSSW
  • Courtney D. Cogburn, associate professor, CSSW
  • Nabila El-Bassel, University Professor; Willma and Albert Musher Professor of Social Work, CSSW
  • Robert Eschmann, associate professor, CSSW
  • Richard Hara, senior lecturer in discipline and senior associate dean for Master of Science in Social Work Education, CSSW
  • Adam Reich, chair and professor of sociology
  • Lisa Rosen-Metsch, dean of the School of General Studies; professor of sociomedical sciences
  • Kathleen Sikkema, Barbara and Bruce P. Dohrenwend Professor of Sociomedical Sciences; director, Public Mental Health at Mailman School of Public Health
  • Jane Waldfogel, Compton Foundation Centennial Professor for the Prevention of Children’s and Youth Problems, CSSW
  • Olajide Williams, professor of neurology and health policy and management; vice dean of community research and engagement at the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons

The committee will conduct a national search, focused on individuals who bring a deep commitment to academic excellence and to the school’s educational and research missions, an innovative and thoughtful leadership approach, a record of operational excellence, and importantly, the ability to build community, support faculty and students, and articulate a compelling vision for CSSW’s next chapter.

Community engagement will be an essential part of this process. The committee will seek input from faculty, students, staff, alumni, and other members of the CSSW community about the opportunities and challenges facing the School and the qualities and experience we should seek in the School’s next dean. More information about opportunities to participate and provide feedback will be shared by the committee.

As this search gets underway, I want to again express my gratitude to Melissa Begg for her remarkable seven years of leadership as dean and to Julien Teitler for agreeing to serve as interim dean beginning September 1. I look forward to working with the search committee to identify an exceptional leader to build on CSSW’s many strengths and help shape its future.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Mnookin
President, Columbia University in the City of New York