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As we celebrate 90 years of Social Work Education at Howard University, we pay tribute to the visionary leadership and enduring legacy of Dean Inabel Burns Lindsay, our founding dean. Born February 13, 1900, Dr. Lindsay was a pioneer, becoming the first African American woman to lead an accredited school of social work in the U.S. Her dedication to equity, academic excellence, and social change laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s top-ranked social work programs—#12 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. Today, we stand on her shoulders, carrying forward her mission to make social work a force for justice, equity, and empowerment

The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” honors the impact of Black workers throughout history—across industries, movements, and generations. From enslaved laborers to union organizers, from pioneering social workers to modern-day activists, Black labor has been at the heart of economic and social progress. At Howard University School of Social Work, we proudly celebrate Black History Month by honoring the legacy of African Americans in labor and the social workers who played a pivotal role in the labor movement—fighting for equal rights, workplace justice, and economic empowerment.

The Howard University School of Social Work is excited to welcome new team members and celebrate internal appointments that will enhance our impact and support for students, faculty, and the community. We look forward to the contributions of these talented professionals as we continue advancing social justice, scholarship, and service. Click here to learn more!

Leadership Appointments

🔹 Dr. Altaf Husain – Associate Dean for Academic & Student Advancement
🔹 Dr. Meirong Liu – Director of the Ph.D. Program & Chair of Research

Team Transitions & New Roles

🔹 Sharon Fletcher – Ph.D. Program Coordinator
🔹 Kristin Conley – Budget Administrative Officer
🔹 Vera Fields – Community Outreach Coordinator, Gerontology Center
🔹 Armani Hayes – Facilities Assistant
🔹 Sabrina Williams – Facilities Assistant

Howard University School of Social Work is proud to showcase its commitment to advancing research and scholarship at the 29th Annual Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Conference. This year’s               conference theme, “Strengthening Social Impact through Collaborative Research,” aligns with Howard’s 
commitment to advancing knowledge and solutions to address the most pressing social issues. Our faculty and students will highlight critical research topics, including intimate partner violence, mental health, 
leadership in public housing, and culturally attuned social work practice. We are honored to contribute to this esteemed platform.

Congratulations to India Long, a first-year MSW student, for being recognized as a recipient of the Black Women Thriving East of the River Healthcare Scholarship Award.

Through this award, India becomes part of a dedicated network striving to enhance healthcare access and address longstanding disparities in Washington, D.C., with a particular focus on neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.

Dr. Altaf Husain, Associate Professor and Chair of the Community, Administration, and Policy Practice concentration, has been named the 2024–2025 Diversity Center Scholar by the CSWE Center for Diversity and Social & Economic Justice. This prestigious appointment reflects Dr. Husain’s dedication to promoting diversity and justice within social work education. His leadership and contributions to macro social work are invaluable, and we are honored to see his work recognized at a national level through this appointment.

Dr. Cudore L. Snell, Assistant Provost for International Programs and Professor at Howard University School of Social Work, has been named to the Fulbright Specialist Roster! This prestigious honor connects Dr. Snell with opportunities to share his expertise globally and collaborate on impactful social work initiatives. He aims to work with universities in South Africa, focusing on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and prevention research. The HU School of Social Work congratulates Dr. Snell on being awarded a Fulbright Specialist for the 2024-2027 term.

We’re honored to recognize the contributions of our Howard University School of Social Work (HUSSW) faculty and students who presented at the 2024 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Planning Meeting. Each presenter/panelist shared invaluable insights and led impactful discussions on key issues shaping the future of social work. 

Howard University School of Social Work proudly announced that MSW student Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Doctoral student Hannan Hijazi have been selected as recipients of the 2024-2025 CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). This fellowship, an initiative of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), supports emerging leaders dedicated to improving mental health and substance abuse services for underserved communities.

The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP), Pathways to Housing DC, and Howard University’s School of Social Work launched the pioneering Peer Case Management Institute. As covered by the Washington Post, The Washington Informer, and WTOP, the Peer Case Management Institute graduated its first cohort on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The graduates, once homeless themselves, have completed the comprehensive training program and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to serve as case managers in the homeless service system. 

HUSSW goes in-depth on specific subject matter affecting society at large. 

Hear from HUSSW's students