Betsy Farmer will step down as Pitt Social Work dean

Betsy Farmer, who has served as dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work since 2018, will step down from her role and return to faculty, effective July 2026.

The School of Social Work advanced in truly significant ways under Farmer's leadership, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joe McCarthy said in a Nov. 5 announcement. During her time as dean, the school has strengthened student success and sense of belonging through streamlined onboarding and advising for new students, refined orientation initiatives, focused curricular review and revisions, and expanded efforts to provide a supportive and responsive culture and climate.

"Her leadership also helped drive an increase in access and future growth for Pitt's Master of Social Work program with the launch of the MSW online option," said McCarthy. "This fall marks not only a transformative chapter in the school's reach and impact but also reflects the tireless work on the part of Betsy and her team."

Farmer championed access and affordability by expanding partnerships with community colleges and reviewing financial aid awarding to remove barriers for students. She has also deepened the school's community engagement through strong collaborations in Pittsburgh and beyond, expanded its research portfolio by building infrastructure and supporting faculty success in funded research, and recruited senior faculty whose expertise will shape the school's future scholarship and impact.

A national search will be launched to find the School of Social Work's next leader.