Published on : September 6, 2024
For Immediate Release
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Alexandria, VA – The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is excited to announce the appointment of Shanéa Thomas, EdD, LICSW, CSE, (he/she/Dr.) as its new Executive Director of Accreditation. Dr. Thomas is a seasoned scholar-practitioner with over 20 years of professional clinical social work and educational experience. In his new role, Dr. Thomas will oversee the accreditation operations of more than 900 social work programs and post-Master’s social work fellowship programs across the United States and its territories.
"Dr. Thomas brings to the table amazing energy, curiosity, and experience. His extensive experience in curriculum development, strategic planning, and his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion will be an invaluable asset to the futures of accreditation," said Dr. Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, President and CEO of CSWE. "We are confident that Dr. Thomas's leadership will drive the continued excellence, innovation, and uniqueness of our accredited social work programs across the country."
"Shanéa brings to the table amazing energy, curiosity, and academic and leadership experiences which we will engage in future-ing the work of accreditation," Dr. Vakalahi continued. "Shanéa will be a great addition to CSWE and the work of the BOA with social work education programs across the country."
Dr. Thomas has previously served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Southern California School of Social Work and as an LGBTQ+ Training Specialist at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She has also facilitated more than 100 workshops on DEI needs, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQIA+ populations. Dr. Thomas is a Certified Sexuality Educator, a grief counselor, and a death doula, and he actively engages with the community as a Board Member of the National AIDS Memorial.
“I am honored to join CSWE in this role and build on the great foundation of accreditation standards that ensure the field is accountable to the great social workers and practitioners who graduate from the more than 900 programs we accredit nationwide,” said Dr. Thomas. “I am committed to upholding the high standards that CSWE represents and look forward to inclusively and equitably advancing social work at the macro level as well as to support the important work of scholars, researchers, and practitioners in communities, institutions, organizations, and practices.”
Dr. Thomas is a proud Howard University School of Social Work MSW program alum and earned an additional master’s in education from Widener University. She holds an EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. He is known for his dedication to fostering environments where all students can thrive and for his contributions to the advancement of social work education and advocacy.
For more information about the Council on Social Work Education and its accreditation services, please visit www.cswe.org.