The School of Social Work at West Virginia University has named Helen Hartnett its first associate director, effective immediately.

Hartnett joined the school’s faculty in 2007, from the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas. She has a record of teaching, research and service in the areas of homelessness, advocacy/policy practice, community organizing and critical evaluation of practice.

“(Hartnett) comes with a very strong research background, is very committed to social work education and is really very good at making connections with people outside of the school,” said Elise Fullmer, the school’s director.

The current director of the Master’s of Social Work program, Hartnett will continue to coordinate that program while serving in her new capacity.

As associate director of the School of Social Work, Hartnett will be heavily involved with the educational components of the program — designing the curriculum, working for reaccreditation and implementing the program’s strategic plan.

“Part of my job will be helping to assess our curriculum to see what things we’re doing really well, and what things need improving, so that we’re able to offer the best education that we can to the students who choose social work as their profession,” she said.

Hartnett earned her doctorate and master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University and is a member of the Association for Community Organization and Social Administration, the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers.

For more information, contact Helen Hartnett at (304) 293-8808 or helen.hartnett@mail.wvu.edu

-WVU-

ma/10/17/14

CONTACT: Devon Copeland, Director of Marketing and Communication, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
304-293-6867, Devon.Copeland@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.