Issue link: http://ncumarketing.uberflip.com/i/1178974
15 Darren Adamson, PhD | Chair, Dept. of Marriage and Family Sciences A Warm Salutation to Each of You! In preparing the DMFS entry for the Faculty Newsletter, I took time to reflect on who we are and what we have accomplished and are accomplishing. We are a remarkable collection of colleagues, all of whom are committed to the education of students in the helping professions – Social Work and MFT – in a way that prepares them for making a difference in the lives of others. In acting on that commitment, we are changing the lives of many students, each day! We are very close to another historic milestone – 1,800 students in the DMFS (we are at 1,798 today). The growth of the MFT programs and how the MSW program is poised for rapid growth are both pretty amazing! We have moved from 180 students in 2012 to 1,798 as of 9/23/19. We now have roughly 500 graduates from the MFT programs. The vast majority have taken the licensure exam and have passed it (roughly 92% on the first attempt). Nearly 100% have reported that they are working in a job that fits with their education. Most of us have been a part of that history-making trajectory in the DMFS for some time and have been energized and excited by that opportunity. My reflection led me also to the culture that we have created among ourselves as colleagues. The DMFS is a unique place to work. We share the vision of student success, which makes us collaborative colleagues, all looking toward the same outcome, rather than looking at "what's in it for me?" The environment that we have collectively created allows us to contribute our unique perspectives, energies, and passion. Those contributions are meaningful and satisfying. What a beautiful opportunity to be a part of this great educational enterprise with each of you – I am grateful!! Here are some pertinent updates: 1. Argosy update – we are now seeing that many former Argosy students are finishing and graduating from the MFT programs. They will represent themselves and NCU very well as MFT professionals. 2. I am pleased to announce that Sally Brocksen has come back as a FT Teaching faculty in the MSW program. We are glad that Sally will be teaching our MSW and PSY students in her new role. She will also be assisting in our efforts to obtain CSWE accreditation. 3. We continue in our efforts to hire in the MSW program, with the following positions open: a. Another one to two FT teaching faculty b. MSW Program Director c. MSW Field Education Director 4. We have scheduled the second site visit with the CSWE for February 2020. 5. We anticipate hearing from the CSWE in the next 3-4 weeks related to our "Candidacy" status ... fingers crossed Continued on next page