Bruce Lagay has been named the interim dean of Syracuse University's College of Human Services and Health Professions (HSHP). He will assume the position on July 1 following the departure of Dean William Pollard, who will become president of the University of the District of Columbia.
Lagay is currently the director of the School of Social Work, which is a part of HSHP. Before the formation of the college in 2001, he served as associate dean of the School of Social Work from 1998 through July 2000. He was interim dean of the School of Social Work from July 2000 to July 2001.
Lagay says he's looking forward to the added responsibilities of his new role. "The vast majority of challenges confronting societies locally, nationally and globally fall within the ambit of health and human services," Lagay says. "When you reflect on the social, economic, political, legal, ethical and even spiritual dimensions of these challenges, you immediately understand why HSHP has chosen an interdisciplinary and interprofessional orientation. One can only be very excited about the opportunities available to make these connections within the University, to research them beyond the University, and to prepare tomorrow's leaders to grapple with them."
Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund says she's confident Lagay will provide strong leadership for HSHP over the coming months. "Bruce showed how able he was as the interim dean of social work," Freund says. "I am delighted that he has agreed to be the interim dean of HSHP. Under his leadership HSHP should be able to make many strides forward."
Lagay is recognized for his published research on the measurement of work and competency in social work, evaluation approaches and methods, and program evaluations in the areas of juvenile justice, mental health and family life. He has taught policy, planning, research and administration courses. His current interests are in knowledge building strategies for the profession, international social welfare, and inter-professional education and practice.
Lagay taught, researched and administered at Rutgers University from 1972-86. He served as associate dean of the Graduate School of Social Work at Rutgers from 1981-86. From 1987-98, he was a faculty member at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and served as head of the university's School of Social Work from 1993-95.
Lagay received a Ph.D. from Brandeis University in 1973 and a M.S.W. from Rutgers University in 1964.
