Dean Neil B. Guterman announced a series of upcoming leadership transitions at NYU Silver, as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the MSW Program James I. Martin will be retiring effective December 31, 2020, and other faculty will be assuming new roles to advance the School’s continued tradition of academic excellence.
An Associate Professor at NYU Silver since 1997, Dr. Martin has served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the MSW Program since 2015. “I am enormously grateful for Dr. Martin’s dedication and leadership in a time of great transformation at the School,” said Dean Guterman. “Dr. Martin managed the many complexities and significant workload associated with these important leadership responsibilities and helped advance NYU Silver’s standing as one of the country’s best MSW programs. He accomplished this while continuing his important research on sexual and gender minorities, developing and teaching courses, taking on leadership for our Action Against Racism agenda, and serving as a mentor to full-time faculty and adjuncts, as well as master’s and doctoral students.”
McSilver Associate Professor and Director of the School’s BS Program Robert L. Hawkins will succeed Dr. Martin as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, effective January 1, 2021. In his new role, Dr. Hawkins will oversee the School’s educational degree granting programs, Field Learning and Community Partnerships, and Global and Lifelong Learning. Dr. Hawkins has served on the faculty of NYU Silver since 2004, and has directed the school’s Undergraduate Program for the past six years. Said Dean Guterman, “With scholarly research expertise in poverty, race, and social policy, Dr. Hawkins has taught extensively in our BS, MSW, DSW, and PhD programs, I know he will bring his considerable administrative and scholarly talents to elevate the School’s educational programming in the coming years.”
Associate Professor Ernest Gonzales will assume the role of Director of the MSW Program, effective January 1, 2021. Dr. Gonzales will chair the MSW Program Committee and oversee all aspects of the School’s MSW program, including oversight of the School’s various pathways and locations (Washington Square, Westchester, Rockland, and Shanghai). A leading scholar in gerontology and productive aging, Dr. Gonzales arrived at Silver in 2018 and since then he has served as Lead Instructor for Human Behavior in the Social Environment I and II, and is currently Chair of Human Behavior for the School’s MSW program. “Dr. Gonzales’ many and varied leadership roles and experiences within and outside Silver make him an excellent leader for our largest and oldest degree granting program,” said Dean Guterman.
With Dr. Hawkins’ transition to Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Clinical Associate Professor Dina J. Rosenfeld will assume the role of Interim Director of the BS Program, also effective January 1, 2021. Dr. Rosenfeld, a member of the faculty since 1980, has previously served as Director of the BS Program from 1996-2014. “I am grateful that the School and our students will benefit from Dr. Rosenfeld’s deep expertise, administrative and program experience, and knowledge of the School while we seek a long-term Director of the BS Program,” said Dean Guterman.