New Social Work Associate Dean Promotes Real-World Experience

Maura Rhodes is an experienced social worker, educator and leader

With years of experience as an educator and in social work leadership, Maura Rhodes is ready to lead the University’s School of Social Work to great heights.

Before her time in academia, Rhodes worked for Family and Children’s Agency in Norwalk helping provide housing services for at-risk adults in the area. During her 15 years in agency work, Rhodes transitioned to leadership positions and began hosting workshops and focus groups, inspiring her to pursue a career in education.

In her 14 years at SHU, Rhodes has helped grow social work education on campus. Starting as an adjunct professor, she later transitioned to a full-time role playing a pivotal part in the development of the university’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, with a particular focus on creating its practicum component. Most recently, she served as interim director. Rhodes has already made a significant impact on the community through her work on the school’s curriculum, the support of the school’s doctorate program and shaping the next generation of students.

Mark Beekey, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, is confident that Rhodes can lead the program into the future. “Maura’s expertise in both social work and dynamic leadership makes her the perfect associate dean to carry this program forward,” he said. “I’m confident that she will continue to lead and inspire the next generation of social workers in transformative ways.”

In a question-and-answer interview, Rhodes shared how she will find success taking on this new challenge.

What inspired you to take this new role?

While I was already acting as interim director of the school, I saw this opportunity as a chance to further positively impact the school of social work and its members. It’s a pivotal time in the school’s evolution, and building on our strengths was something that immediately interested me. I can also say that I’m tremendously proud to work with such a talented and passionate group of educators and leaders, who have inspired me to take on this new role. Their support is something that influenced me to take this position and will motivate me every day to do right by them.

What do you hope to achieve in this new position?

I’m hoping to further modernize our curriculum to implement more real-world experiences for our students at every level. From our undergraduate to our graduate and doctorate students, I want to build a curriculum rooted in real-world practice. As part of a five-year strategic plan, we’re hoping to update the classroom experience to allow more students to pilot simulations, take part in virtual-reality coursework and build concrete social work skills. I’m also hoping to continue the work we’ve done to improve our internship program and ensure our students are exposed to valuable experiences outside of the classroom.

At the doctoral level, this vision includes not only academic training but the intentional development of scholars who will shape the future of social work. Our Ph.D. program is uniquely positioned to prepare students to generate research that is not only theoretically robust but also grounded in the lived experiences of the communities we serve.

What are some trends in the field of social work that you’d like the school to engage with more deeply?

There are a lot of challenges professionals in our industry are facing right now that our students and faculty should be acutely aware of. From rising mental health issues to climate change, and from access to care to reproductive justice, our students will face complex challenges every day. Our goal is to teach them the value of their work and the impact it will have on their respective communities. We want to train students from the macro to the micro level. Whether it’s working with one individual or a community of thousands, our students will have the skills to succeed in a variety of positions.

What does this promotion mean to you both personally and professionally?

Hearing the news filled me with so much gratitude. I could not have achieved the step up without the continued support from my coworkers, Dean Beekey and Provost Robin Cautin. Throughout my time here, I’ve worked with people who continuously challenge me to be my best day in and day out, and to have something to show for that means the world to me. I will miss the classroom and teaching, but I’m humbled to be in a position where I can influence the next generation of professionals and leaders.