Top school losing top dean, needs dough

During the past 16 years, VCU’s School of Social Work has earned a place among the best – the school is ranked 14th in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

But the man some say spearheaded this progress, School of Social Work Dean Frank Baskind, will be relinquishing his deanship in June to move on to other top positions at VCU.

“(VCU’s School of Social Work) is one of the best kept secrets of the university,” Baskind said.

However, in spite of all the improvements and progress the school has seen during his tenure, Baskind said, he is leaving behind a school stretched almost to its limit. Baskind said he hopes the School of Social Work will continue to grow – and that the program will receive the funds necessary to do so.

“I think we’re always growing the school,” Baskind said, adding that as he steps down money is still the “most-needed continuing priority” for the School of Social Work.

Kia Bentley, associate dean for Strategic Initiatives and director of the Ph.D. Program for the School of Social Work, has worked with Baskind since his arrival at VCU.

“We’re straining an already older building,” Bentley said. “I think there was a hope at one point . that there were some concrete plans (for improving and expanding the school’s building).”

The Raleigh Building is where the School of Social Work has been housed for the past 48 years. “

Maybe one of the administration’s final things (before Baskind’s retirement) will be to announce that there’s been a donor,” Bentley said.

Baskind began his career at VCU on Jan. 1, 1992 when he took the place of Grace E. Harris after being nominated for the position by a colleague.

“I was not even aware of (the job opening),”
Baskind said. “It looked extremely interesting.”

Baskind came to VCU by way of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn., where he was the founding dean of Social Work and Human Services.

“(VCU) was a prominent school in the south,” Baskin said. “It has a legacy of fine deans.”

During his tenure, Baskind oversaw the development
of a community-based Head Start program in Richmond. He also helped to expand the Master’s of Social Work program, which helps connect students with social-service agencies across the commonwealth and in Washington, D.C. Most recently, the school completed its strategic plan with a major focus on community engagement.”

The strategic plan involves building an even-stronger scholarly presence (for the School of Social Work),” Bentley said.

Bentley has been head of the Ph. D program since 1999.

“(Baskind) has been such an advocate for our Ph. D program,” Bentley said. “He’s good at understanding what’s good for our doctoral program.”

Following Baskind’s retirement from the deanship, both he and Bentley said they expect there to be a long national search for a permanent replacement.

“I think there’s a number of people who could take over as an interim,” Bentley said. There’s no chance a permanent dean could be named very soon, she said. “Because of the foundation that has been built,” Bentley said, “I expect there will be a strong pool of candidates.”

Baskind, who said he is “62 and getting older,” has high hopes for not only the School of Social Work, but also the university as a whole.

“VCU is still creating its future,” Baskind said.