FSU names Kirk Foster dean of the College of Social Work
Florida State University has named nationally recognized scholar and academic leader Kirk A. Foster as the next dean of the College of Social Work.
Foster currently serves as dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington and will begin his role at Florida State on Aug. 17.
With more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership, teaching and research, Foster has built a career focused on strengthening communities, advancing evidence-based practice and preparing students for careers in public service and behavioral health.
“Dr. Foster is an accomplished leader with a strong record of academic excellence, translational research, student success and community engagement,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Florida State University, who previously served seven years as dean of the FSU College of Social Work. “He understands the important role social workers play in supporting individuals, families and communities, and the crucial workforce contributions that the College makes to the State of Florida. He brings the experience and vision needed to lead the college into its next chapter.”
Before joining UT Arlington in 2024, Foster served as director of the School of Social Work at East Carolina University and previously held leadership roles at the University of South Carolina.
Foster also enjoys a strong national reputation within his profession. He serves as president of the Society for Social Work and Research, the field’s leading scholarly organization, and has held numerous leadership roles advancing research and evidence-based practice in social work.
Foster’s work has focused on behavioral health, community partnerships and strengthening public trust in institutions. His research has examined topics including economic mobility, neighborhood change and relationships between communities and law enforcement. He is the co-author of “Chasing the American Dream: Understanding What Shapes Our Fortunes,” which received the Society for Social Work and Research’s award for Best Scholarly Book in 2016.
The FSU College of Social Work prepares students for careers in clinical practice, mental health services, child welfare, veterans services and community leadership. The college is nationally recognized for its online graduate programs and research focused on improving health and well-being across Florida communities.
“I am honored and excited to join the FSU College of Social Work,” Foster said. “I look forward to working with staff, students, faculty, alumni and community partners throughout the state to write the first chapter of the College’s next 100 years of impact and transformation."
Foster earned a Ph.D. and Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He succeeds Dean David Springer, who is returning to the University of Texas at Austin as a Centennial Professor in Leadership for Community, Professional, and Corporate Excellence and University Distinguished Teaching Professor.