Will Play a Crucial Role in Shaping the Future of Social Work Education

Dr. Tonya Perry, Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work and Associate Dean of Student Success for the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) for a 3-year term, effective July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026.

Founded in 1952, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 800 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students, and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers are empowered to play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories. 

Having formerly taught at Fordham University and Howard University, Dr. Perry has more than 24 years of graduate teaching experience of which 16 years have been spent as a member of the AAMU Family. Dr. Perry earned her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama where she also completed a minor in Community Health.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Social Work Degree from Tulane University. Dr. Perry is a former Johns Hopkins International AIDS Research Fellow and a Fulbright-Hayes Scholar (China).  

As a member of the CSWE Board of Directors, Dr. Perry will play a crucial role in shaping the future of social work education and ensuring the highest educational and policy standards are upheld. Her experience and insights will be invaluable in guiding the strategic direction of the organization and advancing the profession as a whole. “Certainly, my election and subsequent appointment to the CSWE Board of Directors is the realization of a professional milestone but it’s so much more than that. It is a nod to my mentors and a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our dedicated faculty and staff to pursuing excellence in the delivery of our programs and preparation of our students. My appointment also says much about the reputation of our social work programs within the national community of social work scholars.”   

Dr. Perry is a seasoned social work educator and administrator and a graduate of the Harvard University Management Development Program (MDP). Since her initial appointment as Chairperson of the Department of Social Work, Psychology and Counseling in 2017, Dr. Perry has led her dedicated team of faculty and staff through the reaffirmation of accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) of the BSW and MSW Programs through 2026 and the establishment of Dora’s House: Title IV-E Child Welfare Training and Simulation Laboratory; led the expansion of social work program enrollment at AAMU’s Lawson State Community College (LSCC); and led an increase in the Department’s external funding from approximately $75,000 annually to approximately $5,500,000 in 5.5 years. Dr. Perry serves as Co-PI of the $1.92 million Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program II (BHWET-II) grant via the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) aimed at preparing MSW Students with behavioral health competencies to support them in intervening with underserved populations in rural communities. Most recently, Dr. Perry led the development of the proposal for the highly anticipated Ph.D. Program in Social Work which is on target for rollout in fall 2024.  

“I am honored to represent our beloved AAMU and our social work programs as I occupy a seat at the decision-making table. It is my hope that my passion for social work, coupled with my experience and leadership ability will fuel my capacity to continue to contribute to the advancement of social work education at AAMU and among CSWE accredited programs throughout the country.”