Appointment of Cathryn Potter as Dean of the School of Social Work

June 13, 2013

Members of the University Community,

It is our great pleasure to announce the appointment of Cathryn C. Potter as Dean of the School of Social Work, effective Aug. 15, 2013. Dr. Potter, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Denver and her M.S.W. from the University of Washington, currently serves as Associate Provost for Research at the University of Denver, overseeing research policy and strategic planning for research.  She also holds a B.A. from the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

A proven leader in social work education and research, Dr. Potter also serves as Executive Director of the Butler Institute for Families and is a professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver.  Over the past two decades, Dr. Potter has led the Butler Institute’s growth from a small training project into a large, diverse technical assistance and research group with a strong national reputation in child welfare. As an administrator, she is guided by her recent scholarly work on organizational culture and climate.

We would like to thank Dr. Kathleen J. Pottick for her capable leadership as acting dean during this time of transition.  Her dedication and service are recognized and much appreciated.

The members of the search committee, led by Dean Jorge Schement of the School of Communication and Information, also have our deep thanks for their excellent work and recommendations.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Potter to Rutgers when she arrives on campus this summer.  We look forward to working with her.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Barchi, President

Richard L. Edwards, Chancellor (Interim), Rutgers–New Brunswick