Stephen F. Austin State University

The School of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University will host receptions for the three candidates applying to serve as the next director of the school and associate dean. The candidates are Dr. Freddie Avant of Nacogdoches, Dr. Mark Lusk of Corvallis, Ore., and Dr. Saliwe Kawewe of Carbondale, Ill.

Avant currently serves as director of SFA’s Bachelor of Social Work program. He joined the SFA faculty in September 1987 and was promoted to professor in April 2005. His duties have included administration of the departmental budget; hiring, supervision and evaluating faculty and staff, teaching, research and maintaining the school’s accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education.

Avant holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lyon College, a master’s degree from University of Missouri at Columbia, and a Ph.D. in social work from Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. He is president elect of the National Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.

Avant will make a presentation at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, and a reception for him will be from 3 to 4 p.m. All candidate presentations and receptions will be in Social Work, Room 201.

Lusk currently serves as professor of human development at Oregon State University. He also has served as director of international education at the university and previously has served as associate provost at the University of Georgia. Lusk was a Fulbright Fellow and visiting professor at the Catholic University of Peru and, in 1989, he was senior Fulbright researcher at the graduate school of social work of the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.

Lusk received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and social work from New Mexico State University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from the University of Kentucky.

A presentation by Lusk will be made at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 23, with a reception following from 3 to 4 p.m.

Kawewe holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Zambia, a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. She is a professor of social work at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where she previously served as graduate program director.

Kawewe has taught courses in social policy development and analysis, child welfare policy and social work practice with diverse populations. She has published more than 40 articles and has made presentations at 40 national and international conferences.

Kawewe’s presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, with a reception from 3 to 4 p.m.

The School of Social Work prepares professional social workers who will respond to the needs of rural communities and the challenges faced by people with rural lifestyles. The school provides leadership for the region in identifying and addressing community needs and issues, including those related to the alleviation of poverty and oppression within the context of rurality, cultural diversity and social and economic justice.

Dr. Linda Morales, who currently holds the associate dean position, has announced her intention to retire in July.