BPD Emerging Leaders 2010–2016: Identifying and Responding to the Need for New Academic Leadership

ABSTRACT

In 2010, the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) participated in the Social Work Congress in Washington, DC, along with other national social work organizations. In addition to sending selected Board members, BPD sent emerging social work educators to participate in a purposeful effort to ensure leadership continuity. Those selected, the “BPD Emerging Scholars” participated in the Congress and instituted an annual BPD Emerging Leaders Forum. These forums have allowed dozens of early career educators and experienced peers to openly discuss undergraduate social work education’s future, leadership gaps, needs of those seeking leadership, and ways organizations can support these needs. This article presents forum themes and offers a plan to support the next generation of undergraduate social work leaders.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ It should be noted that ages of 543 faculty members included in the count were unknown.

² The original Emerging Scholars program developed by BPD allowed five new faculty to attend the 2010 Social Work Congress. However, in proceeding forward with the Emerging Leaders forums, one of the original five faculty was unable to continue her participation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Valerie Bryan

Valerie Bryan is Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of South Alabama.

Kathryn S. Krase

Kathryn S. Krase is Associate Professor of Social Work at Yeshiva University.

Alicia McLaughlin

Alicia McLaughlin is Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of St. Francis.

Nancy Meyer-Adams

Nancy Meyer-Adams is Director and Professor of Social Work at California State University Long Beach.