Henrika McCoy named Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work

Dear DU Community,

I write with the outstanding news that Dr. Henrika McCoy will serve as our next Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work, beginning in office on June 15, 2024. Dr. McCoy comes to us from the University of Texas at Austin where she serves as the Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Fellow in Services to Children and Families and associate professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis (Ph.D. and B.A.), the University of Pennsylvania (M.S.W.), and Loyola University Chicago (M.J.), Dr. McCoy brings extraordinary vision and experience to the University of Denver.

Dr. McCoy will serve as Morris Endowed Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and as a tenured full professor. Dr. McCoy brings with her deep experience in funded research on underserved youth, with a specific focus on the experiences of Black males impacted by the juvenile legal system and/or with experiences with violence. Dr. McCoy served as a clinician and case manager prior to entering the academy and has deep knowledge of the social work needs of underserved communities.

In addition to her extensive funded research, Dr. McCoy brings with her experience as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services at the Jane Addams College of Social Work of the University of Illinois Chicago, where she served for many years before moving to UT-Austin. As Associate Dean, Dr. McCoy was responsible for all aspects of the academic program and student services, including service as Director of the MSW program. Dr. McCoy brings that deep and broad experience with her to DU, and I am deeply excited to partner with her as we continue to support GSSW in its richly well-deserved recognition as one of the nation’s top schools of social work, providing thought leadership both in the academy and in the world of practice.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to thank the search committee, extraordinarily led by Professor Leslie Hasche of the Graduate School of Social Work, Dean Fritz Mayer of the Josef Korbel School of International Service, and, in the prior year, by Interim GSSW Dean Kim Bender. I am deeply indebted to their leadership and to the tireless work of the search committee, composed of:

• Heather Arnold Renicker, Clinical Associate Professor
• Ramona Beltrán, Interim Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development, Tenured Associate Professor
• Aneesha Bharwani, Clinical Professor
• Carson De Fries, 4th Year Doctoral Student (2022)
• Michele Hanna, Professor, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Coordinator of Accreditation, elected faculty member (2023)
• Brendon Holloway, 4th Year Doctoral Student (2023)
• Chenthu Jayton, Executive Director for Equity Labs, elected staff member (2022)
• MaryBeth Lawson, Executive Director of Development
• Robin Leake, Research Professor, Executive Director, Butler Institute for Families
• Elizabeth O’Hara, Director of Marketing and Communications, elected staff member (2023)
• Marquisha Scott, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, elected faculty member (2022)
• Cappy Shopneck, University of Denver Trustee
• Michael Talamantes, Clinical Professor
• Hope Wisneski, Former Chief of Staff and Associate Dean of Operations

Lastly, I wish to take this opportunity to thank Professors Lisa Reyes Mason and Kim Bender, who served so wisely and committedly as Interim Deans of the Graduate School of Social Work as we transitioned from the extraordinary leadership of Dean Amanda Moore McBride. Drs. Reyes Mason and Bender are stalwart supporters of GSSW and served as thought partners for me as we bridged the transition to our new dean. They are exceptional university citizens, and I am indebted to them for their dedication to GSSW and DU. Thank you most deeply.

Please join me in saluting Interim Deans Lisa Reyes Mason and Kim Bender for their extraordinary service, and in welcoming Dr. Henrika McCoy as our visionary new leader for the Graduate School of Social Work. The school is in wonderful hands with their leadership.

With very best regards,

Mary Clark
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
University of Denver