Allan Cole Appointed Dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Dear UT Community,

I am extremely pleased to announce that Dr. Allan Cole will serve as the next Dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Dr. Cole, who currently holds the Bert Kruger Smith Centennial Professorship in Social Work and served as the school’s Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2016 to 2021, will begin his new appointment on June 13. He succeeds Dr. Luis Zayas, who will step down after 10 successful years as the school’s Dean.

Dr. Cole is a nationally recognized authority on chronic illness, health humanities, and the study of spirituality and religion in social work. In addition to his teaching and scholarship, Dr. Cole currently serves as the Deputy to the President for Societal Challenges and Opportunities, where he works with President Hartzell to build strong partnerships with non-profit organizations, elected officials and members of the local business community in an effort to tackle key social challenges, like homelessness and affordable housing, as well as challenges related to mental health.

Before joining the UT faculty in 2014, Dr. Cole served for four years as Dean at Austin Seminary. As the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Steve Hicks School, he helped advance some of the school’s most important priorities, from enhancing the curriculum and championing a diverse and inclusive learning environment to managing the extraordinary challenges of COVID-19.

We are fortunate to have a tremendous leader in Dr. Cole who not only cares deeply about the education and development of our social work students but also about the overall growth and success of all members of the school’s community.

I would like to thank the search committee and acknowledge their collective effort in identifying an excellent pool of candidates. Dr. Cole rose to the top because of his tremendous leadership experience over the past decade, his commitment to increasing equity, diversity, and opportunity in our community, and his deep understanding of the Steve Hicks School’s potential impact as a positive force for society.

I would also like to thank Dean Zayas, an outstanding leader and collaborator, whose tireless efforts have significantly advanced the Steve Hicks School over the past decade, including raising over $50 million for student scholarships, endowments, and programs; recruiting and retaining top scholars in social work and allied fields; and leading sustained efforts to diversify the faculty community.

Please join me in thanking Dean Zayas for his service and congratulating Dr. Cole on his new role!

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Wood
Executive Vice President and Provost

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