April 2025 Dean's Note

GSSW is well known for the high caliber of its teaching and research, emphasis on conducting community-engaged scholarship and commitment to leveraging science to fuel social change. Our faculty includes American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Fellows, Society for Social Work and Research Fellows, professors who have been identified as among the top 2% of all scientists in the world, and faculty who are leading scholars in their various specialties. In this issue we share stories about two members of our exceptional faculty. 

Associate Professor Amy He received GSSW’s 2024 Jeffrey Jenson Endowed Annual Research Award, which recognizes faculty members whose research has impacted a social issue of importance to the field. Dr. He emphasizes public impact and social justice in her research and teaching and has made significant contributions to child welfare workplace well-being.

You will also read about the community-engaged scholarship of Associate Professor Ramona Beltrán. She is advancing art-based and Indigenous methods in the science of social work. Most recently, she collaborated on a unique and powerful community film project displayed at the Denver Art Museum.

GSSW faculty also continue to be recognized as leaders in the field by peers and the broader community. Catch up on some of their recent accomplishments in the Faculty Highlights section below.

In this issue, you will learn more about our new MSW Certificate in Mental Health for Ecological Resilience and Adaptation — the only known certificate of its kind in the United States. Ecological justice is one of GSSW’s research areas of excellence and is among the MSW specializations we offer. Notably, we were the first school of social work to offer an ecological justice specialization. Our new certificate builds on that program and further prepares social work students to partner with individuals and communities to build psycho–social resilience in the face of human-induced global change.

Finally, I want to again express my appreciation for our wonderful GSSW community and the warm welcome that I have experienced since my arrival. I had the pleasure of meeting some of you during my recent trip to Glenwood Springs at our alumni, faculty, and staff gathering. I was also able to spend time with some of our donors and GSSW friends at DU’s Annual Founder’s Celebration. Please keep an eye out as we continue to expand opportunities for our community to engage with each other and make plans to join us. Be well!  

Henrika McCoy, MSW, MJ, PhD
Milton Morris Endowed Dean of Social Work and Professor