Message from the Interim Dean

Kathleen Ray, PhD.

The 21st century has ushered a myriad of challenges including the collapse of local and national economies, ecological disasters and political turmoil throughout the global landscape. The challenges reveal a crisis of inequalities and call for a systemic understanding of interactions between natural forces, human activities, and the community. Research has shown that our vulnerabilities to climate change, poverty, political instability and warfare are inextricably connected to the way societies organize their social, economic, legal and political institutions. We conceptualize individual and social well-being based on the study and implementation of research in social organization. The social sciences provide individuals the conceptual ability and the tools to create social conditions that promote civic engagement, social justice, equality, and prosperity. The School of Social Science and Human Services provides students with the fundamentals for the understanding of social organization. Students who graduate from the School are equipped with the necessary tool kit to continue their professional development in the private, civic society, and the public sector. Their ability to reason, think critically, create and execute well-developed plans prepares them well for the challenges of the 21st century.

The School of Social Science and Human Services (SSHS) enrolls over 1400 students in its degree and certification programs. We have 55 full-time faculty and 50 part-time instructors who serve 7 majors, 10 minors, including the Teacher Education Program, a Master of Science in Contemporary Instructional Design, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, a Master in Special Education, and a Master of Social Work program.

To understand society and culture, a historical understanding rooted in critical thinking and social inquiry is necessary. SSHS provides social awareness and experiential learning to develop students who are aiming to effect social change, address societal inequity, and properly distinguish between fact and fiction. Students who graduate from a major with SSHS are able to foster social, statistical, and ecological literacy.

 In all the areas of evaluation – teaching, scholarship, and community service – the School of Social Science and Human Services is furthering the mission of the College.

The School of Social Science and Human Services creates an interdisciplinary learning environment grounded in experiential learning and active participation in community experience. Using social science perspectives, we engage our students in critical thinking about enduring and emerging issues of our world, including psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, legal and environmental dimensions based on principles of social justice and sustainability. The values of diversity, inclusiveness and international and intercultural understanding are integral to our process of life-long learning.