Carol Campbell Edwards, a proud FSU College of Social Work graduate (MSW, 1985; BSW, 1984) and faculty member, was appointed as the new director of the BSW Program and Professional Development office at the college after the retirement of faculty member Pam Graham MacDill. Carol stepped into her roles starting in January 2020.

“I am deeply humbled to serve the FSU College of Social Work in this capacity. Our students impress and inspire me by their ability to think critically, engage compassionately, and advocate unselfishly,” said Carol. “They give me hope that the divisiveness we are experiencing as a society will change. Each student brings with them the total of all their life experiences, and we want them to feel deeply valued and respected in our program.” 

Starting at the College of Social Work in 2016, Carol has served as both an assistant teaching professor and Title IV-E Coordinator. Before this role, Carol served for more than a decade with Big Bend Community Based Care as the Director of Professional Development and Training and the Community Development Director. She has also been a consultant since 2003, specializing in child welfare training, foster care and adoption systems change, and curriculum development. She is a licensed clinical social worker with more than thirty years working in clinical social work, school social work, child welfare, and youth development.

She continues her child welfare involvement as a training leader and change agent with The Youth Law Center and Quality Parenting Initiative. Carol is also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She served as the president of the NASW Florida Chapter and the chair of the national NASW Council of Chapter Presidents. She continues her involvement as a national delegate and the current co-chair of the NASW Florida's Task Force on Racial Justice, which is working to advance a statewide anti-racism and equality agenda. Carol is also a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and the National Black Child Development Institute.

Carol has received numerous honors and awards for her dedication to social work and serving others. She is the FSU College of Social Work Instructor of the Year for 2020 and 2016. She received an FSU Transformation Through Teaching award in 2018, was named the 2010 NASW Social Worker of the Year for the NASW Florida Big Bend Unit, and received the Florida Department of Children and Family's Black History Month Woman of Excellence Award in 2019.

She brings to her director role with the BSW Program and Professional Development a dedication to connecting social work students, alumni, and professionals with the resources to make a positive difference in the social work field and clients' and communities' lives.

“My goal is to continue to build on the accomplishments of the previous directors,” expressed Carol. “By working closely with colleagues and students toward enhancing the certification programs we offer, building partnerships with other programs, and expanding professional development opportunities, we will continue to exemplify the highest social work education standards.”