Dean David W. Springer is excited to announce four administrative leadership promotions within the FSU College of Social Work. 

"Individually, these leaders and change-makers within our college will make a profound impact on our community through collaboratively sharing their strengths and talents with faculty, staff, students and alumni," said Dean Springer, sharing his vision for this team. "Collectively, I know they will serve a critical role in amplifying our transformational work to change lives."

Associate Dean for Research: Yaacov Petscher, PhD 

Yaacov Petscher is a professor, associate director of the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR), and FCRR's Quantitative Methodology and Innovation Division director. His work focuses on measurement, causal modeling, the study of individual differences in reading using complex methodologies, and the development of screening assessments and computer adaptive tests.

Dr. Petscher has received over 20 national and international awards for research and educational innovations. He has co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and technical reports, co-edited Applied Quantitative Analysis and the Social Sciences and The Fluency Construct books and co-created The Kayla Chronicles graphic novel.

Dr. Petsccher's appointment as associate dean of research is effective November 1, 2023.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Lisa Schelbe, PhD

Lisa Schelbe is an associate professor and a faculty affiliate at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. She serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Lisa is the director of the Child Well-being Research Network. Her primary research focuses on child welfare, child maltreatment prevention, and child well-being. Specifically, her research examines the experiences of young people "aging out" of foster care. She is interested in research dissemination and the formation of research-policy-practice partnerships.

Lisa is a qualitative methodologist with experience working on interdisciplinary teams. She is the author of Some Type of Way: Aging out of Foster Care and co-author of The Handbook on Child Welfare Practice. 

Dr. Schelbe's appointment as assistant dean for academic affairs is effective November 1, 2023.

Associate Dean for Academic Administration: Jennifer Farinella, EdD

Jennifer Jane Farinella has served the College of Social Work in multiple roles since 2016. She worked extensively in academic advising with the college's graduate programs and, more recently, as the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs supporting all degree levels.

Dr. Farinella earned her doctoral degree in education from Florida State University in 2020. She also holds a master's degree in education from the University of South Carolina (2014) and a bachelor's degree in hospitality management from the University of Central Florida (2012). 

Dr. Farinella's appointment as associate dean for academic programs is effective November 1, 2023.

Associate Director for Alumni and Student Engagement: Naomi Molina, MA

Throughout her career, Naomi Molina has worked in various roles in fundraising, marketing, communications and event planning and has been with the College of Social Work since July 2021. While she will continue as manager over all events for the College of Social Work, its centers and student/alumni constituencies, Naomi will also work with the FSU Alumni Association/University Advancement to develop a strategic alumni engagement strategy. These dual roles will further integrate student and alumni initiatives, advancing the work of FSU, the college and their partners.

She is a two-time graduate of Florida State University with a master's in Integrated Marketing Communication and a bachelor's in Media/Communication Studies. 

Ms. Molina's appointment as associate director for alumni and student engagement is effective October 13, 2023.