Dear Tulane Community,
After nearly seven impactful years of leading the School of Social Work, Dean Patrick Bordnick has informed us that he will step down on June 30, 2024. Patrick will complete a sabbatical year before returning as a professor in the School of Social Work in July 2025, and will continue his research exploring novel medicines, technology and interventions to eliminate craving and understand the roles of stress, anxiety and mood in long-term abstinence.
Under Patrick’s deanship, the School of Social Work’s ranking in the U.S. News & World Report has risen to the top 30. During his tenure as dean, he increased the number of full-time faculty members and launched new online studies in the MSW and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs. He oversaw an exemplary reaccreditation process for the MSW program.
Patrick has bridged connections with alumni and current students, developed a new social work deans advisory board, reimagined the alumni board and launched an alumni awards luncheon and tailgate.
In addition, Patrick led the creation of a research infrastructure to support faculty success in garnering external funding, with significant increases in the number of federal grants submitted and funded, as well as a rise in the number of published articles and citations by faculty in scholarly journals.
Patrick has championed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the School of Social Work by developing and implementing the launch of the Empowering Change Task Force and creating an EDI resources website. During Patrick’s term, the School of Social Work recognized the legacy of several Tulane Trailblazers with a painting honoring the first African American graduate students to earn degrees from the School of Social Work and among the first to graduate from Tulane.
Patrick’s love for our community led to the establishment of the Elk Place Health Spot and community meals/food drives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick and his family helped prepare over 50,000 fresh hot meals for people in New Orleans.
As Patrick continues to lead the school through the next academic year, we will begin a national search for his replacement. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Patrick for his continued dedication and impactful service to Tulane.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost