Kate Ross
Professor of the Practice of Social Work; Assistant Dean for Field Educa
What I do
Currently I am the Assistant Dean of Field Education and Community Partnerships, overseeing development and implementation of GSSW's field program. Approximately 1,100 students per year participate in field placement with community agencies. The field team partners with over 3000 agencies nationwide.Specialization(s)
civic and community engagement, program and community development, culturally responsive practice, health and wellness, leadership and organizations, accessibility, curriculum development and assessment for inclusion
Professional Biography
Professor of the Practice of Social Work Kathryn (Kate) Ross has been teaching at GSSW since 2003 and was a member of GSSW's field education team from 2006 to 2015. Ross helped develop the foundation curriculum and the health and wellness concentration. She served as faculty director of DU's Wellness Living & Learning Community from 2009-2015. She was the co-founder of GSSW's Inclusive Excellence Committee (IEC) and served as IEC Faculty Chair from 2016-2019. Ross was the Director of the Denver Campus MSW Program from July of 2019- December 2023. From 2008-2023, she served as a field instructor for MSW students completing internships with Yoga for the People, an organization she founded and ran until January 2024. Ross's helped design the Evolving Perspectives and Trends in Health and Wellness course, and is the faculty lead for Wellness Assessment and Promotion Across the Lifespan, Disability Studies, and Advanced Standing Seminar. Ross strives to model authentic holistic social work practice as a supervisor, an advisor, in the classroom and in the field.
As Assistant Dean of Field, she works collaboratively with the Associate Dean of Academic affairs, 5 field faculty, a Field Placement Manager, 4 Field Coordinators, 2 administrators and an external team of 7 field placement specialists. Ross collaborates with and relies on a phenomenal team of 12 as well as leadership from GSSW's 4 MSW programs, over 60 field liaisons and 30 off-site field instructors to ensure students have practice experiences that meet social work criterion for their degree. Ross is a standing member of the Assessment and MSW Committees, responsible for the GSSW Field curriculum alignment to accreditation with CSWE.
In 2022, Ross went on a discovery sabbatical project studying Art and Justice and is currently investigating the impact of community art on community voice and connection. Ross's other professional experience includes wilderness programming, social work with high-risk youth and families, statewide voter education, job training and program development. Her interest in community social work includes the integration of spirit and meaningful connection into daily practice.
As Assistant Dean of Field, she works collaboratively with the Associate Dean of Academic affairs, 5 field faculty, a Field Placement Manager, 4 Field Coordinators, 2 administrators and an external team of 7 field placement specialists. Ross collaborates with and relies on a phenomenal team of 12 as well as leadership from GSSW's 4 MSW programs, over 60 field liaisons and 30 off-site field instructors to ensure students have practice experiences that meet social work criterion for their degree. Ross is a standing member of the Assessment and MSW Committees, responsible for the GSSW Field curriculum alignment to accreditation with CSWE.
In 2022, Ross went on a discovery sabbatical project studying Art and Justice and is currently investigating the impact of community art on community voice and connection. Ross's other professional experience includes wilderness programming, social work with high-risk youth and families, statewide voter education, job training and program development. Her interest in community social work includes the integration of spirit and meaningful connection into daily practice.
Degree(s)
- MSW, Children, Youth, and Families, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, 1997
- BA, Elementary Education, University of Pennsylvania, 1989
Awards
- 2017 Champion of Change: Outstanding Department, Diversity Summit
- Kay M. Stevenson Faculty Citizenship Award, GSSW
- You Made a Positive Impact on Alumni, University of Denver
- Engaged Faculty Institute, Campus Compact
