Charting Our Path To Excellence Strategic Plan
The GCSW Community has collectively developed three foundational components that will shape the future direction of the Graduate College of Social Work: our Strategic Priorities, Values in Action, and Pillars of Distinction. Together, these elements reflect our shared commitments, elevate what distinguishes the GCSW, and provide a clear roadmap for advancing excellence, impact, and innovation across the College.
Message from the Dean
I am pleased to share an important milestone in our history—the launch of our Charting Our Path to Excellence 2026-2029— a strategic framework for the Graduate College of Social Work. This work represents a collective effort shaped through meaningful engagement with our faculty, staff, and broader stakeholder community, and supported by our partnership with We-Collab, and will guide our College for the next 3 years.
Through this collaborative process, we have developed a Vision, and three foundational components that will guide our direction forward: our Strategic Priorities, Values in Action, Pillars of Distinction. Together, these elements reflect our shared commitments, elevate what distinguishes the GCSW, and provide a clear and actionable roadmap for advancing excellence, impact, and innovation across our college.
These guiding components come to life through the accomplishments, stories, and achievements of our community—explored in depth in the latest spring edition of our college publication, INsight.
The Charting Our Path To Excellence Strategic Plan 2026-2029 builds upon the University of Houston Strategic Plan, Together We Rise, Together We Soar, and is guided by Strategic Priorities that endorse Goals I-V of the University’s Plan.
Grounded in feedback from our community—including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners—this updated Strategic Plan represents both reflection and aspiration: a clear understanding of where we are and a bold vision for where we are headed. It is a testament to our collective commitment to shaping the future of social work education, research, health and well-being, and community engagement, in the State of Texas and beyond.
As we look ahead to 2027 Charting Our Path To Excellence will be used as a guide that not only ushers us into the University of Houston’s 100th birthday (Centennial) but also serves as our guiding light (Northstar) as the GCSW celebrates its 60th year and beyond. We remain focused on excellence, innovation, and social impact.
Together, we will continue to build a College positioned for national leadership and lasting impact—advancing the profession of social work and strengthening the communities we serve, lifting as we climb.
With excitement,
Yarneccia D. Dyson, Ph.D., MSW
Dean, Maconda Brown O'Connor Endowed Dean's Chair
Graduate College of Social Work
University of Houston
Our Strategic Priorities
Our Foundational Components
Strategic Priority I: Transform both graduate and doctoral level social work education for global, national, and local impact.
Strategic Priority II: Champion a premier research and innovation powerhouse of national and global distinction.
Strategic Priority III: Strengthen community engagement and expand mutually beneficial partnerships that advance health, well-being, and social equity for individuals and communities—locally and globally.
Strategic Priority IV: Empower students to thrive through inclusive pathways to success and elevate social work leadership that transforms communities.
Strategic Priority V: Advance a bold, values-driven leadership culture across the GCSW and UH to shape the future of social work education.
Collaboration & Co-creation: Everyone will work together to design and build the future of the college by leaning in and offering our talents and expertise.
Communication & Accessibility: Based on our unique working styles and needs we prioritize our availability for students and colleagues.
Accountability & Integrity: Proactively articulating and sharing your needs, while being open to the needs of others.
Solutions Oriented: Bringing both problems along with potential solutions.
Joy & Appreciation: Acknowledging the efforts of others and assuming a posture of best intentions.
Emergence: Being open to a non-linear future in which we pivot and adjust as needed.
Mutual Respect: A reciprocal relationship where all individuals involved treat each other with inherent value, dignity, and consideration for their feelings, wishes, and rights.
Pillar I: Academic Innovation, Student Success, and Workforce Readiness
Purpose: To advance forward‑thinking academic programs that prepare students for meaningful
and evolving career pathways.
Pillar lead: Ginger Lucas
Pillar II: Faculty and Staff Growth and Excellence
Purpose: To cultivate a thriving community of faculty and staff whose expertise, leadership,
and creativity drive the College’s mission.
Pillar lead: Dr. Quenette Walton
Pillar III: Culture, Environment, and Well-Being
Purpose: To create a community where people feel valued, supported, and connected, and where
the environment enables everyone to thrive.
Pillar lead: Whitney Price
Pillar IV: Research and Scholarship for Social Impact
Purpose: To accelerate the GCSW’s role as a premier research institution producing rigorous,
practice‑informed scholarship that drives systems change.
Pillar lead: Dr. McClain Sampson
Pillar V: Community Partnerships and Engagement
Purpose: To strengthen GCSW’s impact through community partnerships and philanthropic growth
that support student success and research excellence.
Pillar lead: Dr. Quenette Walton
Pillar VI: Strategic Advancement and Communications
Purpose: To elevate the GCSW’s brand visibility and position the College as a national
and global thought leader in social work and social justice.
Pillar lead: Renia s. Butler