Our diverse leadership team represents an array of backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives coupled with a lifelong passion for serving our region’s most vulnerable populations. Within this environment, the leadership team works to advance our research, educational and service mission, as well as bolster our School’s standing within the UW academic community and among our social work peers.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Michael S. Spencer, Professor and Ballmer Endowed Dean in Social Work
The first Native Hawaiian dean at the UW, Spencer was appointed to this leadership position on July 1, 2023. He recently served as director of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Oceanic Affairs at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, a School of Social Work-based research center. He is a presidential term professor and co-chair for Close the Health Gap and Eliminate Racism initiatives as part of the Grand Challenges for Social Work.
ACADEMICS
Val Kalei Kanuha, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Teaching professor and associate dean for academic affairs, Kalei Kanuha has worked as a community-based researcher and consultant with organizations in Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S. for the last 45 years. She lectures widely on violence against women and social justice issues. Her research and community interests include the use of indigenous, culturally-based interventions for family and domestic violence; intimate violence in women's same-sex and queer relationships; and innovations in alternative, community-based justice. Kanuha also serves as the assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Ben de Haan, Associate Dean for Social Service Innovation & Partnerships
For more than 30 years, Ben de Haan has been bringing together leaders and policymakers in academia, child welfare, justice systems and related fields to make changes and improve the lives of vulnerable children, adults and families. He was the founding director of the School’s Partners for Our Children before assuming the position of associate dean for social service innovation and partnerships.
Rona L. Levy, Associate Dean for Research
Professor Rona Levy’s work has brought a behavioral medicine and social work perspective to the medical field by exploring psychosocial aspects of health, especially in areas of chronic pain, intergenerational transmission of illness behavior, childhood and adult obesity prevention and treatment, and behavioral medicine. As associate dean for research she supports all phases of research activities for members of the School’s community.
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Vicki Anderson-Ellis, Assistant Dean of Finance & Administration
Vicki Anderson-Ellis has managed the School’s financial health for more than 12 years with oversight of a $77 million annual budget. She has a demonstrated history of working in higher education and managing a wide range of budgetary and administrative challenges from student aid and building improvements to research funding and federal training grants.
DONOR & ALUMNI RELATIONS
Julie Sun, Assistant Dean for Advancement
As assistant dean for advancement, Julie Sun works with donors and alumni to ensure that the next generation of social work leaders and practitioners has the means to sustain and advance the School’s legacy of innovation, advocacy and impact.