Dean Jeanette Takamura Receives Social Work Pioneer Award

August 14, 2006

New York, NY - Dean Jeanette Takamura has been named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation, the premier professional association for social workers. The Social Work Pioneer Award was established by NASW "to honor members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession." Pioneers are considered role models and their contributions are reflected in the establishment of social policies and human services programs.

"I am honored to be named a Pioneer by the NASW Foundation," says Dean Takamura. "The social work profession is dedicated to empowering individuals, families, communities, and organizations to function at their highest level of potential. Social work professionals play an integral role in shaping and strengthening practices, programs and policies in communities around the world. I am proud that so many Pioneers are alumni of the Columbia University School of Social Work or were associated with the School as faculty." Pioneers named by the NASW from the School have included Professor Emeriti Alfred Kahn, Richard Cloward, Herman Stein, and David Austin; Professor Barbara Berkman and Dean Emeritus Fred Dellaquadri.

Dean Takamura is the first female Dean at the nation's first school of social work. She was Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1996 to 2001. Prior to this, she served in senior positions in the state government of Hawaii and held faculty and administrative appointments in higher education. She has received numerous awards, among them the Lucy Stone Award from the White House for her advocacy and the enactment of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides a range of supportive services to millions of family caregivers. She has been a member of national and international boards and working groups. Dean Takamura earned her Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University and both her Master of Social Work and bachelor's degrees from the University of Hawaii.

For more information, please contact Jeannie Yip at 212-851-2327 or [email protected].

About CUSSW (www.socialwork.columbia.edu)

For more than 100 years, the Columbia University School of Social Work has been the leader in practice and policy. Located in New York City, the School offers Master's and Doctoral programs that are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence. With a signature curriculum and far-reaching field education experience, CUSSW continues to be at the forefront of clinical practice, public policy, teaching, research and social work innovation in the 21st Century.