Social Work to name new interim head
Former director appeals firing
By: Jamie Fussell
- Page 1 of 1
Dr. Linda Morales' name will be submitted to Dr. Marlin Young, interim vice-president for academic affairs, as the choice for interim director of the School of Social Work.
Dr. Michael Daley, social work professor and former director of the program, has filed an appeal regarding the decision to fire him as director in late May.
Dr. James O. Standley, dean of the College of Applied Arts and Sciences, said he will recommend Morales as his choice in a Tuesday morning meeting with Young. Morales was also named by the faculty of the School of Social Work as their choice to fill the position.
Standley interviewed Morales on Thursday, Sept. 5.
"I feel that the faculty has made an excellent recommendation," Standley said. "I had a very good meeting with her. She was very convincing of the fact that she wants the program to begin moving forward."
Standley said the decision now rests with Young, but he feels confident that Young will agree with his recommendation.
Daley, who is now a full-time professor in the social work graduate program, alleges two violations of university policy related to his firing, but declined to comment on the details of his appeal. He was relieved of his duties as director in late May after the faculty began to express dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Morales is an assistant professor in both the social work master's and bachelor's programs and has been teaching at SFA for 15 years.
"I was very pleased and humbled to find out that the faculty had recommended me to Dr. Standley for the position," Morales said. "I was also a little overwhelmed, but excited." Standley said in academic departments, there is an effort to honor faculty recommendations to fill interim positions.
Standley described the social work faculty as "upbeat and positive." "I've attended the last three meetings they've had there, and there was a broad degree of congeniality in those meetings," he said. "They seem ready to move towards meeting their mission of developing social workers that are first-rate."
Avant said he feels the faculty and staff are adjusting well to the recent leadership changes. "The atmosphere has been good, but it was very important to get this position filled," he said.
After Daley was relieved as director of the program, Avant, Morales, and Dr. Ellen Csikai served as an interim management group to lead the school until an interim director was chosen. Csikai is now in charge of the social work master's program.