The School of Social Work Welcomes New Hires and Announces Leadership Appointments
Howard University School of Social Work Welcomes New Hires and Announces Leadership Appointments
January 2025
The Howard University School of Social Work (HUSSW) is excited to welcome new team members and recognize leadership advancements within our academic community. We are thrilled to welcome and recognize these outstanding professionals.
Leadership Appointments
Dr. Altaf Husain – Associate Dean for Academic & Student Advancement
Dr. Altaf Husain has been appointed the Associate Dean for Academic & Student Advancement. A Howard alum, Dr. Husain earned his PhD from HUSSW while serving in the Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Husain has been a leader in social work education, holding key roles that have shaped student success and curriculum development. Since joining the faculty in 2010 as an Assistant Professor, he has served as: Co-chair of the Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE) Sequence (2012) and Chair of the Community, Administration, and Policy Practice (CAP) Concentration (2014 – Present) among other academic roles.
Under his leadership, the CAP Practice concentration has experienced sustained growth, increasing student interest in macro-level social work. In Spring 2015, he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure and honored as "Faculty of the Year" by the DC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Dr. Husain’s scholarly contributions focus on the intersection of religion and spirituality in the lives of displaced populations, the emerging nonprofit infrastructure supporting immigrant and refugee families, and the development and funding of community-based programs. He remains active serving professional organizations including CSWE, NASW, SSWR, the Special Commission to Advance Macro Social Work & is the president & founder of the National Association of Muslims in Social Work. With decades of leadership in social work education, curriculum innovation, and advocacy, Dr. Husain’s impact spans academia, policy, and global engagement.
Contact: altaf.husain@howard.edu
Dr. Meirong Liu – Professor, Director of Ph.D. Program & Chair of Research Sequence
Dr. Meirong Liu has been appointed as the Director of the Ph.D. Program. She also serves as a full Professor and Chair of the Research Sequence at the Howard University School of Social Work. Her research focuses on public programs and private assistance for vulnerable children, health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities, and multicultural social work. She has secured over $7 million in grants from organizations such as NIH, HRSA, and the Bezos Earth Foundation. She is the Principal Investigator for a study on Improving the Health of Asthmatic Children in Public Housing, funded by the Princeton Alliance for Collaborative Research and Innovation.
Dr. Liu has published extensively in international social work, policy, and public health journals, and serves on editorial boards and NIH grant review panels. Her recent book, Addressing Anti-Asian Racism with Social Work Advocacy and Action (Oxford University Press, 2024), provides critical insights and strategies for combating anti-Asian racism. Currently, she is conducting interdisciplinary research on Evaluating and Addressing Biases in Generative AI for Minority Health.
Committed to equity and inclusion, Dr. Liu chairs the Asian American and Pacific Islander Social Work Committee and serves on CSWE’s Global Council on Learning & Practice. As Ph.D. Program Director, she will enhance student and faculty support, serve as the primary liaison to the Graduate School, and expand the program’s impact, ensuring its continued excellence in social work research and education.
Contact: meirong.liu@howard.edu
Team Transitions and New Roles
🔹Sharon Fletcher, Ph.D. Program Coordinator
Ms. Sharon Fletcher will take on a new position as the Ph.D. Program Coordinator at the School of Social Work. In this role, Ms. Fletcher will help to oversee and enhance the School's Ph.D. program, creating a supportive atmosphere of excellence for our doctoral students and faculty. For the past three years, she has worked as the School of Social Work's Assistant Registrar, where she has provided exceptional customer service, fostered strong relationships with students, streamlined registration processes, and assisted students through curriculum planning. Fletcher graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Mass Communications degree and has over 20 years of experience in communications and marketing. We are looking forward to the impact of her work and effectively communicating our mission.
Contact: sharon.fletcher@howard.edu
🔹 Kristin Conley, Budget Administrative Officer
Ms. Conley joins us from Vanderbilt University, bringing expertise in financial budget management, reporting, and analysis. She holds a B.B.A. in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from The University of Toledo and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University. Passionate about community impact, she serves on the board of The F.I.N.D. Design, a nonprofit empowering young girl of color.
Contact: kristin.conley@howard.edu
🔹 Vera Fields, Community Outreach Coordinator – Gerontology Center
With over 30 years of experience in education and technical writing, Ms. Fields specializes in group-based community programming and intergenerational initiatives. She previously taught in Prince George’s County Public Schools and has a deep commitment to community engagement.
Contact: vera.fields@howard.edu
🔹 Armani Hayes, Facilities Assistant
A designer with IT and marketing expertise, Mr. Hayes has a background in graphic design, branding, and digital content creation. He has worked with Holder Construction Company and the American Public Health Association. Mr. Hayes supports HUSSW facilities under the office of Assistant Dean of Administration.
Contact: armani.hayes@howard.edu
🔹 Sabrina Williams, Facilities Assistant
Ms. Williams is a military service veteran with extensive experience in executive support, client administration, and problem-solving. She has supported high-level executives and has a strong knowledge of office systems, databases, and technology management. Ms. Williams supports HUSSW facilities under the office of Assistant Dean of Administrations.
Contact: sabrina.williams1@howard.edu