Tessa Evans-Campbell, associate dean for academic affairs and co-director of the Indigenous Welfare Research Institute, was recently appointed by the UW Board of Regents to receive the Charles O. Cressey Endowed Professorship. This appointment was previously held by Susan Kemp, who retired in June.
Tessa was selected from a highly competitive group of School of Social Work faculty nominees, each with deep expertise and a distinguished record of achievement in direct practice with children, youth and families.
“Tessa brings to the Cressey professorship extensive direct practice experience in Indian child welfare and adoptions and a history of innovative collaborative work with Indigenous communities,” said Dean Eddie Uehara. “She has an outstanding record of high-impact externally funded scholarship, and is one of the School’s most successful academic leaders. I know she will bring great honor and grace to this appointment.”
Tessa has received many awards since joining the School, including the prestigious educator’s “triple crown:” the School’s Lew Gilchrist Doctoral Mentorship Award (2016); the UW Distinguished Teaching Award (2004); and the School’s Student’s Choice Teaching Award (2003). She is the former director of the School's MSW program.
Her research interests on historical trauma, resistance and healing, cultural buffers of trauma, substance use and mental health, and Indigenous family wellness stem from her practice and personal experiences as a Washington state tribal member. She belongs to several professional organizations and serves on a number of boards and committees related to Native American family wellness.
We hope you’ll take the time to congratulate Tessa on her well-earned achievement.