By Darla Martin Tucker

La Sierra University’s social work program is now its own department, a
move that will help attract students and strengthen collaboration with
public agencies.

During a recent meeting, the La Sierra University Board of Trustees
approved the request of program director Laurelle C. Warner, effectively
pulling the decades-old program from under the psychology department’s
umbrella. Warner is chair of the newly designated social work department.

Warner launched the effort last fall by submitting a letter to James
Beach, chair of the College of Arts and Sciences, requesting the social
work program stand as its own entity. Leslie Martin, psychology department
chair, also wrote a letter corroborating Warner’s request.

“Social work departments traditionally do not exist under psychology,”
Warner said. The two entities typically function more like sister
organizations, she said.

“Now we can collaborate more on equal footing. It gives us an opportunity
to have our own identity,” she said.

Warner has led the social work program since August 2006. The program was
accredited in 1979. The social work department has three faculty and
offers Bachelor’s of Social Work, or BSW degrees. Approximately 60
students are enrolled.

While the recent departmental designation will not result in additional
staff or budget, it may lead to new programs and help social work leaders
recruit students. “We have plans for augmenting, as well as adding onto
the curriculum of the social work department,” Warner said.

The move will also fortify relationships with the Riverside County
Department of Public Social Services and Department of Mental Health,
agencies that hire La Sierra’s social work graduates, Warner said.

The social work program’s transformation into a department influenced the
creation of protocol to guide future transitions of other programs into
departments, Warner said.

PR Contact: Larry Becker
Executive Director of University Relations
La Sierra University
Riverside, California
951.785.2460 (voice)