October, 20 2025
The start of a new academic year brings fresh beginnings and exciting changes across the UW School of Social Work. As we enter fall quarter, the School is proud to announce several key leadership transitions, faculty promotions and new hires.
Senior Leadership Changes:
- Jennie Romich, professor and director of the West Coast Poverty Center, has been appointed associate dean for academic affairs. Romich has been a pillar of our school for over 20 years, teaching classes on social welfare policy, researching economic well-being in families, and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
- A special thank you to Kalei Kanuha for her service in this role!
- Kalei Kanuha, teaching professor, will now serve as the associate dean for excellence and leadership in Social Work at SSW and the associate dean for the office of graduate student success for the Graduate School. Kanuha brings years of experience from numerous leadership roles at the school, including MSW program director and assistant dean for field education, to her new positions.
- Bill Vesneski, associate teaching professor, is the new BASW program director. Bill joined the School as a full-time lecturer in 2015, teaches across the MSW curriculum and in the doctoral program, and researches child welfare law and policy.
- Thank you to Amelia Gavin for serving in this role!
- Maya Trachtenberg, previously the associate director for advancement at the UW College of Education, has joined us as the new assistant dean for advancement.
- Megan Moore, Sidney Miller endowed associate professor in direct practice, is now serving as faculty council chair. Megan joined the SSW faculty in 2012 and serves as director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center.
- Thank you Karen Fredriksen Goldsen for serving in this position last year!
- Tessa Evans-Campbell, professor and co-executive director of the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, is now the chair-elect of the Faculty Council. Tessa has served in numerous leadership positions at the school, including MSW program director and associate dean for academic affairs.
- Jessie Garcia, who previously served as the assistant vice president of campus HR operations for the Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell campuses, has been appointed interim director of human resources.
- Brittany Mosser is our new director of research operations. Brittany is a clinical social worker with broad experience in research administration, and her past research and clinical work focused on older adults, family caregivers, suicide prevention and digital mental health tools.
Faculty Promotions:
- Angelique Day, promoted to professor
- Margaret Kuklinski, promoted to professor and awarded tenure
- Tessa Evans-Campbell, promoted to professor
- Emiko Tajima, promoted to professor
- Lara Thompson, promoted to associate teaching professor
- Gerilyn Myers, promoted to associate teaching professor
Faculty Hires:
This fall we welcome three new assistant professors, Kamryn Morris, Melanie Morris and Lauren White to the School of Social Work. To learn more about each of them, read the full article here.
Faculty Retirements:
- Stan de Mello, associate teaching professor and long-time field faculty member at the School of Social Work has announced his retirement. More details to follow.
Congratulations to all faculty and staff taking on new roles and responsibilities this year. The School of Social Work will continue to share updates on leadership transitions, promotions and new faculty each quarter as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of our community.