9th GSSW Director/Dean – James Herbert Williams, PhD – GSSW’s current Dean

James Herbert Williams, PhD, MSW, MPA, University of Denver

9th GSSW Dean/Current Dean

2010 – Present

James Herbert Williams is Dean and Milton Morris Endowed Chair at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. His research and practice focuses on human security and economic sustainability, health promotion and disease prevention, behavioral health disparities and health equity, global practice and sustainable development, adolescent violence and substance use, mental health services for African American children in urban schools, disproportionate minority confinement of African American youth in the juvenile justice system, school safety and violence prevention, and community strategies for positive youth development. James Herbert joined the University of Denver faculty as dean in 2007; prior to his appointment as Dean, he was the Foundation Professor of Youth and Diversity at the School of Social Work at Arizona State University and the E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. He also served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Brown School. His funded research and training includes grants from NICHD, NIMH, NIDDK, DOJ, DOE, DHHS, UNCRD, OMH, and the Danforth Foundation. His scholarship has been published in several health and social science journals.

James Herbert is currently the Editor-in-Chief for Social Work Research. He is a member of International Editorial Advisory Board for Regional Development Studies; member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Adolescent Health; and member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for the Global Risk Forum’s One Health Initiative. James Herbert has held various leadership roles including President of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), and three CSWE Commissions (Educational Policy, Diversity and Social and Economic Justice, Information Management and Research); a member of the Action Network for Social Work Education and Research (ANSWER), a board member of the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR), a member of the International Committee of the National Association of Social Work, and he has twice served as a member of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Board of Directors both as a member-at-large and as Vice-President. He served as a member of the NADD strategic planning task force and co-chair of the NADD task force on health disparities.

James Herbert received his B.A. from Grambling State University, his MSW from Smith College, his MPA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and his PhD from the University of Washington, Seattle..

If you like to get an appointment with Dean Williams or contact him please email gsswdean@du.edu or call the Office of the GSSW Dean at (303)-871-2203.

4th GSSW Dean – Kenneth W. Kindelsperger (1914-2000)

KENNETH W. KINDELSPERGER (1914-2000)
4th GSSW Dean (1971-1978)
Interim Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1978-1979)
Acting Dean, Colorado Women’s College, 1980-82 (supervising its merger with DU)
Recipient, Outstanding Service to the University of Denver Award, 1986

Ken Kindelsperger was born in Galesberg, Illinois. Ken received a B.S. and M.S. degree in social group work from George Williams College (Chicago) in 1942. He completed his doctorate at the Syracuse School of Social Service Administration in 1956. He held various social work positions in Chicago while attending college and graduate school. During WW II, Ken served as Lt. Commander, U.S. Naval Reserves, which included a stint as Fleet Morale Officer at Pearl Harbor. After the war, he was the Secretary for Planning and Research for the Council of Social Agencies at Syracuse, NY, and eventually joined the social work faculty at University of Buffalo in 1950. Subsequently, he served as dean of schools of social work at three universities: Syracuse University, University of Louisville (KT), and University of Denver.

Two major themes highlight his career as a social work educator and administrator. First, he was committed to international social work. He worked for two years in India, studying social problems and helping to establish schools of social work. Later, he made two visits to South Vietnam as a consultant for the Agency for International Development, studying social welfare conditions and making recommendations. He traveled to many other countries and served on numerous international committees at CSWE and other social work organizations. Second, he was deeply committed to the advancement of civil rights for oppressed racial and ethnic groups. As Dean of the Kent School of Social Work at Louisville, he participated in the march on the state capital to demand passage of civil rights legislation.

He came to GSSW during the time when student protests over the Vietnam War and racial discrimination were at fever pitch. Although faced with the loss of federal stipends for social work training, instituted by the Nixon administration, he nonetheless managed to increase significantly the number of MSW and doctoral students of color, and also increased the faculty of color. He was a widely respected administrator, known as hard working, compassionate, and fair.
Ken and his older brother, Walter, were both deans of social work at the same time–the only known set of “brother deans” in the history of the profession.

18th Chancellor for the University of Denver named

Dr. Rebecca Chopp

18th Chancellor University of Denver

Photo courtesy of: University of Denver

 

The University of Denver announced today, June 12, 2014 that the 18th Chancellor of the University of Denver is Dr. Rebecca Chopp.

Dr. Chopp comes to DU from from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania where she has served as President since 2009 and will join the University of Denver community as Chancellor on September 1, 2014 as the first female chancellor of the university.

More information about Dr. Chopp’s appointment as Chancellor and her professional background can be viewed online: http://www.du.edu/chancellor-search/index.html and/or by reading her interview with the DU Magazine: http://magazine.du.edu/campus-community/university-of-denver-names-rebecca-chopp-president-of-swarthmore-as-18th-chancellor/

The Graduate School of Social Work looks forward to welcoming Dr. Chopp to campus tomorrow and again in the coming months. For more information on tomorrows events at the Anderson Academic Commons please visit: http://www.du.edu/chancellor-search/index.html.

 

Hasan Hasanović’s personal account “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide”

“Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide”

a first-person account

by: Hasan Hasanović

January 29, 2014

Graduate School of Social Work

Craig Hall Community Room

University of Denver

The world is full of many amazing individuals who have seen, heard, and felt loss, tragedy, and oppression. Many things in this world we wish would never continue and we hope don’t happen again, one of these is genocide.

The Graduate School of Social Work was honored to open the University of Denver’s Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary celebration lecture series with our guest Hasan Hasanović on Wednesday, January 29. Hasan is currently the Curator and Interpreter of Bosnia’s Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery and Memorial Centre. As a survivor of the Srebrenica Genocide he provides the global community with one of many faces of courage, and strength.

His lecture entitled “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide” brought a first hand account of the genocide in Srebrenica. His story brings the impact this genocide has had on Bosnia, his family, and the global community.

One of Hasan’s opening slides is the Flower of Srebrenica.

The flower of Srebrenica. A symbol to help us not forget the Srebrenica Genocide.  Photo courtesy of Nick Ota-Wang

Hasan’s lecture brings forward a piece of world history that not many are aware of. His first hand account, and survival demonstrates the strength that individuals’ can carry. Getting the chance to hear him speak and meet him in person is extremely special and something I will never forget. ~Nick Ota-Wang, Admission Assistant, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver

A warm DU welcome to Hasan!

Many community members came to welcome Hasan to the University of Denver campus! Over 300 individuals from the DU community, Denver community, and global community came to welcome Hasan to Denver, and campus.

Pictured below is Hasan with Ann Petrila, Director of Field Education, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver. Ann is one of the many people who helped to bring Hasan to campus and give him a wonderful welcome!

From left to right: Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver),Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer). Photo courtesy of DU Marketing & Communications.

GSSW is pleased to thank Chancellor Robert Coombe, Provost Gregg Kvistad, Dean James Herbert Williams and Ann Petrila for welcoming Hasan to campus.

From left to right: Dean James Herbert Williams (Dean, Graduate School of Social Work), Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver), Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer), Chancellor Robert Coombe (Chancellor University of Denver), Gregg Kvistad (Provost, University of Denver).Photo courtesy of DU Marketing & Communications.

Following his lecture and the reception Hasan and Ann were able to debrief and celebrate an amazing visit to Denver. Thank you to Hasan Hasanović for making it to campus and sharing his story with our community.

From left to right: Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer), Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver). Photo courtesy of Nick Ota-Wang.

The University of Denver will have more lectures throughout the school year in celebration of the Universities Sesquicentennial.  Please visit: http://www.du.edu/DU150 for all happenings in 2014 at the University of Denver. #UDenver150

Questions about this posting and its images can please be directed to Nick Ota-Wang via email Nick.Ota-Wang@du.edu.

Sesquicentennial Event: Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide.

The first time that I walked through the Genocide Memorial Cemetery in Srebrenica-Potočari, Bosnia, I was struck by how peaceful it felt.  The surrounding hills were beautiful, wild flowers were everywhere and the sky was impossibly blue. Rows of thousands of white tombstones, however, made me quickly realize that what happened in that place in 1995 was anything but peaceful.  It was there that thousands of men and boys were slaughtered in the worst genocide in Europe since WWII.

As the Director of DU’s International Service Learning Bosnia & Herzegovina (ISL BiH) program, and the faculty lead for The Social Work Response in Post-War Bosnia course, I have since had the opportunity to visit Srebrenica many times when I bring DU students to Bosnia each summer.  During these trips, we have the honor of working with Hasan Hasanović, the curator and interpreter at this memorial.  Mr. Hasanović survived the 1995 genocide, although most of his family did not.  I have always hoped that he could come to DU where he would be able to have an impact on so many more people than just those who come with me to Bosnia. We are so fortunate to be hosting him as part of the DU Sesquicentennial.

The world promised that the Holocaust would be the last genocide.  Fifty years later, it happened again in Bosnia.  The world knew it was happening, and the world stood by.  Mr. Hasanović has an important story to tell about the human experience of war, genocide and resilience of spirit.  After listening to him speak, we will all be challenged to think about our responsibility toward the innocent victims of war, genocide and other human rights violations.

I hope that you will join us to hear this remarkable man tell his remarkable story.  He will be speaking at the DU Graduate School of Social Work in Craig Hall on Wednesday, January 29, at 4:30.  Please click here for information and registration.

 Ann Petrila

Clinical Associate Professor

Director of Field Education at GSSW

Director of International Service Learning Bosnia & Herzegovina

Reminder: Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide on January 29, 2014

The Graduate School of Social Work in partnership with the University of Denver is pleased to announce Mr. Hasan Hasanović to the Graduate School of Social Work for this unique visit.

2014 marks the University of Denver’s Sesquicentennial and “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide” a first-person account is one of many events honoring the university’s anniversary.

Hasan Hasanović is currently the Curator and Interpreter of Bosnia’s Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery and Memorial Centre.

This remarkable event will be happening on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 starting at 4:30pm in the Boettcher Foundation Community Room of Craig Hall, home of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver.

Craig Hall is located at: 2148 South High Street, Denver CO 80208.

Please direct questions to Richard Bishop at (303)-871-3615 or Richard.Bishop@du.edu.

Click here for information and registration.

Holiday Greetings from Dean James Herbert Williams

“Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide” a first-person account by Hasan Hasanović

The Graduate School of Social Work in partnership with the University of Denver is pleased to announce Mr. Hasan Hasanović to the Graduate School of Social Work for this unique visit.

2014 marks the University of Denver’s Sesquicentennial and “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide” a first-person account is one of many events honoring the university’s anniversary.

Hasan Hasanović is currently the Curator and Interpreter of Bosnia’s Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery and Memorial Centre.

This remarkable event will be happening on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 starting at 4:30pm in the Boettcher Foundation Community Room of Craig Hall, home of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver.

RSVP and further event details can be seen by visiting: http://www.du.edu/socialwork/hasan.html

Craig Hall is located at: 2148 South High Street, Denver CO 80208.

Questions can please be directed to Ann Petrila, Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Field Education, and Director – ISL BiH by email to Ann.Petrila@du.edu or phone (303)-871-2863.

GSSW BOSNIA SPRING QUARTER COURSE INFORMATION!

Due to our projected anticipated enrollment in this courses, a lottery will not be necessary. However, if you are interested in this course, it is extremely important that you register during priority registration on February 15th (general registration info will go out tomorrow) to confirm your spot. Like any elective class, travel courses are subject to cancellation for insufficient enrollment.

The travel fees will be assessed at the time of registration along with your tuition and follow the DU tuition refund schedule for Spring Quarter courses: http://www.du.edu/registrar/calendar/latefeerefundschedule.html.

The projected travel fees for 2012 are as follows:

Bosnia: $1500
This fee includes: lodging, excursions, in-country guides, in-country transportation, honorariums for speakers, and several group dinners. The travel fee does not include airfare.

Questions can be please be directed to Ann Petrila at Ann.Petrila@du.edu.

International Service Learning Course, Project Bosnia & Herzegovina

We are once again accepting applications for our International Service Learning Course, Project Bosnia and Herzegovina. This experiential program offers undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to complete an international internship for credit this coming summer.  application deadline day- January 27, 2012.

Information sessions will be held in Sturm Hall Room 201 on the following dates & times.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 12pm

Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 12pm

For additional information please contact: isl@du.edu.

Please see attached  –  Summer Internship in Bosnia-Herzegovina Flyer!