School of Social Work gets new dean

Kristine E. Nelson was not part of the Graduate School of Social Work’s national search for a new dean. Why? Because she was already here. Nelson was serving as interim dean of the school during the search to replace former Dean James H. Ward when she was hired permanently.

“After a national search that produced a very strong pool of candidates, we were pleased to find that our first choice, Dr. Kristi Nelson, was right here among us,” said PSU Provost Roy Koch.

Koch said Nelson has strong support from PSU faculty and has vital connections in the Portland metro area community

Nelson has served on the faculty of PSU’s Graduate School of Social Work since 1993 and was named associate dean in 2001.

“I am delighted that she has agreed to assume this important leadership position,” said Koch, “She brings a breadth of experiences as an active scholar, practitioner, instructor and administrator to the position.”