Interview with Andrew Safyer:
Dean of Adelphi's School of Social Work

by Bruce Rosenbloom

Q: A brief overview of your background and why you chose to work at Adelphi.

A: I have an MSW and a PhD in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Previously I worked at the University of Buffalo, where I was on faculty, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and then, the Interim Dean. Through this process I discovered I enjoyed being a Dean, and so the question became where I wanted to be Dean. I chose Adelphi because of the rich and long-standing history of its School of Social Work. It has produced innovative research and trained students who have become highly skilled practitioners on Long Island, in the tri-state area and across in the nation. I come to this position with a strong background that comports with the school's focus on education, research, and community service and training.

Q: So you've been here for a little over half a year. What do you consider the major challenges of your position?

A: To oversee the implementation of the mission of the School of Social Work. That is, to ensure a high quality of education for students at the BSW, MSW, and doctoral level.; to work with faculty and support their scholarship and research; and, to promote universityand community partnerships that address social problems.

Q: Definitely. You mentioned the history of Adelphi's School of Social Work. Going forward, what type of programs, or vision do you see for the school?

A: I see many opportunities and possibilities here at Adelphi and have begun to work with administration, faculty, and staff to take the school to an even higher level of excellence. The school is well poised to explore creative ways to address community needs such as the increasing number of older adults and an emerging base of non- or limited English speaking clients on Long Island. There is also an increasing need for graduates to be trained as advocates and community leaders. I look forward to reconnecting with our graduates. We have over 11,000 alumni, and part of my challenge is having the alumni reconnect to the school, strengthening that connection-via continuing education programs, guest lectureships in the classroom, and the possibility of mentorship programs where alumni are involved with our students. There is a lot to do.

Another area we are putting energy into is expanding our off-campus sites in mid-Hudson, Manhattan, and Hauppauge. There are increasing numbers of students that are coming to the University part-time. How do we meet their needs when a lot of those students are non-traditional students, or have families, and work full-time. How do we ensure that they receive a quality education? What are the unique needs they have and how do we address those needs? Overall, these are some of the issues we will be examining as we explore new directions.

Q: You've been in the social work field for a while. How has the position of social worker changed, and what trends do you see in the field of social work?

A: In the job market i see that demand for social workers will increase in the next 10 years, due to the unmet needs of society. Social work is a wonderful field, in which you can focus on a variety of areas and work in different areas of specialization-in the medical arena, substance abuse, long-term care, out-patient work or in a variety of agencies. Social work is a very diverse field of practice that can make a real difference in people's lives.

Q: So currently you say that the job market for bachelors or masters in social work is pretty strong?

A: Yes I can actually give you statistics as to the number of students being placed upon graduating. It's a very well respected degree from Adelphi.

Q: Aren't you also seeing a lot of second-career changers?

A: Right. People are not keeping the same occupation throughout their life spans, and there are a lot of folks that decide to commit themselves to service. Social work is one of those fields of service.

Q: Similar to the School of Nursing where there has been a big influx of older students. Is that one of the trends that you see in these types of professions that can not only serve the community but also have access to potential jobs when they graduate?

A: Well Nursing is well positioned right now since there is such a dearth of nurses and the starting salary is good. The interesting thing is that social work doesn't command the same salary level, but there is a diversity of jobs, so some people start out in direct practice, or they work with adolescents, and then move to the medical arena, or administrative work. They can move up the ladder, and there are opportunities for advancement. So you can change your career within a career. That is one of the beauties of social work. You can also gain a lot of satisfaction in your work. A lot of people come to social work because the lack of contentment in their job. People see the needs of society to address issues that haven't been adequately met. In these areas, there is a reliance on social workers to attend to some of those needs.

Q: In the environment of budgetary restraint and cutbacks, would you say there is more of a need for social workers to bridge the gap between what should exists and what doesn't exist?

A: What is happening due to the cutbacks, is that more and more pressure is being placed on social workers. Their caseload is expanding, and there aren't enough resources to take care of the need. So there is an increasing need for social workers to serve as advocates, trying to change policy to demand more resources and opportunities for the underserved.

Q: Is there anything else you wish to add?

A: Please look at our website, http://academics.adelphi.edu/swk/, for more detailed information about our programs, statistics, and diversity of jobs.