Dr. Isiah Marshall Jr., associate dean and professor for the School of Social Work has been named as a member of CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation. Effective July 1, Marshall will serve a three-year term ending in 2023.
“I am very excited to start as a commission, especially as we deal with the challenges due to Covid-19,” says Marshall. “In my role, I will ensure that new and existing programs meet the required standards and educational policies for graduate and undergraduate social work programs across the country.”
The work of the Commission on Accreditation (COA) fulfills the vital function of maintaining and advocating for quality in social work education through its accreditation/candidacy of more than 860 programs in the United States. The commission also acts as the policy body for developing and interpreting accreditation standards and assuring that policies and procedures are fairly and consistently applied to all social work programs. CSWE-logo
“The opportunity to serve as a commissioner has been one of my long-term professional goals,” says Marshall. “In 2005, I began working with the Council on Social Work Education as a doctoral student volunteer at the annual program meetings. Progressively, I became active with the organization in presenting research papers and giving scholarly talks. Additionally, I have served as a site visitor for the COA since 2013.”
He continued, “I have a love and a passion for the profession of social work, and I believe strong academic programs are the key to producing dynamic students who will meet the challenges of marginalized communities.”
The commission meets three times each year to review and take action on an agenda of programs seeking candidacy, initial accreditation, or reaffirmation of accredited status. Each meeting takes place in Alexandria, VA. The preparation for these meetings involves review of self-studies and associated documents and requires a minimum of 2−3 full days of effort. Members are also obliged to conduct two commissioner site visits each year.
In closing, Marshall says, “I am very proud of our highly respected social work programs here at JSU, and I would like to thank the wonderful students, faculty, and staff for their support.”