VCU School of Social Work

The importance of research

“This is an exciting time for me to have the opportunity to assume leadership in the school. As the interim dean I will have the good fortune this year to lead a faculty of scholars internationally recognized for their research and published textbooks. I am particularly looking forward to drawing on my work as associate vice president for research development in the Office of Research in supporting the faculty in the school further their research and scholarship.

“I am proud of the strong emphasis in our school on the connection of our scholarly work to the community. Faculty are involved in numerous projects with community partners, and we are committed to translating research to practice, and drawing on practice to identify important research issues. We foster partnerships with a range of stakeholders and are deeply committed to social justice, and to being a leader in the university and in the national social work community. I think students who come to study in the School of Social Work at VCU feel and see that immediately.

“The faculty have been so supportive of my taking on the position of interim dean. I think it is going to be a good year for all of us.”

Education

• Ph.D. – University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.
• M.S.W. – University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.
• B.A. – University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wis.

Research interests

• Social welfare policy
• Human subjects’ protections

Selected publications

• Corcoran, J. & Nichols-Casebolt, A. (2004). “Risk and Resilience Ecological Framework for Assessment and Goal Formulation.” Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 21(3), 211-235.

• A. Nichols-Casebolt & P. Morris. (2002). “Making Ends Meet: Private Food Assistance and the Working Poor.” Journal of Social Service Research 28(4), 1-22.

• M. Biggerstaff, P. Morris & A. Nichols-Casebolt. (2002). “Living on the Edge: An Examination of Persons Attending Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens. Social Work, 47(3), 267-277.

• J. Figueira-McDonough, F.E. Netting & A. Nichols-Casebolt. (2001). “Subjugated Knowing in Gender-Integrated Social Work Education: Call for a Dialogue.” Affilia 16, 411-431.

• A. Nichols-Casebolt & Huber, R. (2001). “Comprehensive Examinations: Not Best Practices, But Best Fit.” Arete, 25(1), 94-102.

Professional affiliations

• President, Board of Directors, Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research
• Consulting editor, “Affilia”
• Consulting editor, “Journal of Social Work Education”
• National Association of Social Workers
• Council on Social Work Education
• Member, ANSWER Coalition