Dean Springer kicked off the new academic year this month with an off-site faculty and staff college retreat, highlighting important milestones and successes in his State of the College address. He showcased his Vision for the College and the promising season ahead for our entire community. “In alignment with our core values,” reflected Dean Springer, “our college has a critical role to play in promoting a civil society through our collective action.”

Underpinning all of Dean Springer’s remarks was his impassioned focus and steadfast commitment to the well-being and professional growth of everyone in the college - faculty, staff, and students - coupled with a caring community and a culture of innovation. Further, he called upon us all to embrace our story:

“Our story must be told through a lens of an underlying and crosscutting commitment to elevating the lived experience for underserved populations through a world-class education and preparing future social workers; pioneering innovative practices and policies that promote human rights and well-being; and community-engaged translational science that leads to a transformative impact.”

Dean Springer closed the college retreat with these words: “Our community – at the College, at FSU, and across the social work profession - is a constellation in and of itself. I sense the connections and energy from you in profound ways, and I want to harness this energy and take it higher. Through your efforts, we create a lasting impact in the field of social work, fostering a more just and compassionate society.”

It is in this spirit that Dean Springer offers a welcome message to us all as we embark on a new year together.

Welcome Message from Dean Springer

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alums, and Friends,

As we enter a new academic year and exciting season ahead, I wish to offer a warm welcome to you, our community. This past year, my first year as dean, culminated in personal visits with over 2,000 individuals across our campus, college, and community. The opportunity to connect and see first-hand the incredible impact FSU has in the social work arena of higher education, research, and community engagement is moving and building on its momentum to discover sustainable solutions to society’s most complex social issues and human challenges.

I am leading off this semester with a mantra of WE WILL:

Where there are avenues to innovate, we will. Where there are opportunities to learn and grow, we will. Where there are ways to invest in impactful research, we will. Where there are spaces to improve, we will. Where there are experiences that cultivate an inspiring culture of exploration and collaboration, we will.

Join me in elevating our personal well-being and professional growth both for our college and for the communities we serve. Together, we will.

Serve On,

David W. Springer, PhD, LCSW
Dean | Guy and Delores Spearman Professor of Social Work