David Springer to Leave Enduring Legacy at FSU, Returning to UT Austin as Centennial Professor in Leadership

Dean David Springer will conclude his deanship at the FSU College of Social Work in the summer of 2026. He will rejoin the faculty of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) as a Centennial Professor in Leadership for Community, Professional, and Corporate Excellence and as a University Distinguished Teaching Professor in August 2026.

"I am deeply grateful to Florida State University for the privilege of serving as dean," Springer reflected. "Serving under the leadership of President McCullough and Provost Clark has been and will remain one of the highlights of my professional career. In this season of my life, the decision to return to Austin is both personal and purposeful, guided by reasons that are dear to me and my wife, Sunny. I am honored to have this opportunity to collaborate with Dean Allan Cole and the UT Social Work faculty on leadership development, community building, and policy initiatives."

Upon graduating with his PhD from Florida State, Springer joined the faculty at UT Austin in 1997 and went on to serve in numerous leadership roles over 25-years at UT, including as associate dean for academic affairs of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, where he co-founded and directed the Inter-American Institute for Youth Justice, as director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, and as interim dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs.  

Austin has long served as a hub for Dean Springer and his wife, Holly ("Sunny"). This transition brings them closer to their family and the shared community they have been a part of for three decades. Springer expressed how much FSU and the state of Florida remain a part of him. "As a three-time alum of FSU from the Space Coast, FSU's campus and culture shaped me in profound ways. Florida State University has been an integral part of my personal and professional life, and will always hold a treasured place in my story and heart. I have deep roots in Florida and look forward to seeing the FSU community continue to thrive."

Reflecting further, Springer shared, "Our leadership team, faculty, and staff at the college are one of the most exceptional groups with whom I have had the pleasure of working. I am grateful to our donors, alumni, and friends for their unwavering support of our college and our work."

Allan Cole, dean of the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, underscored, "When I think of leadership in social work education, I think of David Springer. His reputation and expertise are unsurpassed, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the Forty Acres."

During Springer's tenure as dean at the FSU College of Social Work, his colleagues have highlighted how much they value his leadership, which is grounded in compassion, community, civil discourse, and service. His legacy at FSU and the college will carry on as he continues to make an impact in the profession of social work and beyond.