Smyth Named Interim Dean of School of Social Work

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Nancy J. Smyth has been named interim dean of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work effective Aug. 1 by UB Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Satish K. Tripathi.

An associate professor in the school, Smyth succeeds Andrew W. Safyer, who was named interim dean last September. Safyer will become dean of the School of Social Work at Adelphi University effective Aug. 1.

"As we continue our search for the new dean of the school, we are grateful to Dr. Sayfer for his service to the University at Buffalo and wish him well in his new position at Adelphi," said UB President John B. Simpson. "I am pleased that Dr. Smyth has agreed to provide interim leadership for the school throughout the duration of the search, and confident that as interim dean, she will ensure the continuance of the strong academic and social leadership for which the UB School of Social Work is well known.

In announcing Smyth's appointment as interim dean, Tripathi stated: "Dr. Smyth has proven to be an effective leader, laudable teacher and researcher who is nationally regarded in her field. Professor Smyth's appointment carries the endorsement of her colleagues in the School of Social Work," he added.

"With such strong faculty support, I believe her tenure as interim dean will be productive and of value to the school and to the university as a whole."

Tripathi noted that "the national search for a permanent dean of the School of Social Work is proceeding under the very capable leadership of Dr. Mecca C. Cranley, dean of the UB School of Nursing."

Smyth joined the faculty of the UB School of Social Work in 1991, the same year she was named an associate research scientist in UB's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA). She was the school's associate dean for academic affairs from 1998-2001. In 2002, Smyth received a University at Buffalo Sustained Achievement in Research Award.

As chair of the M.S.W. concentration in alcohol and other drug problems in the School of Social Work, Smyth teaches courses on addictions, assessment and treatment with persons with dual disorders and innovative treatment method for trauma called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Her studies at RIA focus on problems of people with coexisting psychiatric and substance-abuse disorders and the impact of alcohol/drug problems and childhood and adult victimization on women's parenting.

She also has a private practice as a clinical social worker with Ken Bath, Ph.D. & Associates, where she specializes in treating adult survivors of childhood trauma, anxiety disorders and addictions.

Smyth has worked in mental-health and addiction-treatment settings for more than 25 years as a clinician, manager, educator, researcher and program director. The author of many articles in refereed journals and book chapters related to substance abuse and mental-health problems, she has provided training and consultation to professionals in various disciplines on a wide range of topics. She is a board-certified expert in the area of traumatic stress, a certified EMDR practitioner and serves on the editorial boards of Journal of EMDR Practice and Research and Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions.

Smyth earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University at Albany.