Syracuse University dean to become president of the University of the District of Columbia

Syracuse University dean to become president of the University of the District of ColumbiaMay 08, 2002Nicci Brownnicbrown@syr.edu

William L. Pollard, dean of Syracuse University’s College of Human Services and Health Professions, is stepping down from the position to become president of the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. The change will be effective on July 1, 2002.

Pollard became founding dean of the College of Human Services and Health Professions (HSHP) on July 1, 2000. The college was created by the merger of SU’s College for Human Development, College of Nursing and School of Social Work and officially opened on July 1, 2001. It welcomed its first entering class in August 2001. Under Pollard’s leadership, the college set a new standard for cross-professional collaboration in health and human service education, research and practice.

Bruce Lagay will become interim dean of HSHP. For the past year, Lagay has served as director of the School of Social Work. Previous to that he was associate dean of the school.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw says Pollard showed tremendous leadership as a dean. “Bill is a compassionate leader, yet focused and strong,” Shaw says. “We are losing a great colleague, but should rejoice in UDC’s good fortune.”

Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund says Pollard is dedicated to the University’s mission. “Bill Pollard has always led according to our core values–with passion and caring,” Freund says. “It was for those reasons that I selected him to be the founding dean of HSHP. He did not disappoint. Bill has been an outstanding dean and member of our academic community for many years. While we will miss him very much, we can take great pride that one of ours is going on to do something so important for the District of Columbia and our country.”

Chair of the HSHP Advisory Board Charlotte Holstein says the move is “bittersweet.” “As the new college enters its second year, we will obviously miss Bill Pollard’s outstanding leadership,” Holstein says. “But we are proud that he has been selected by UDC to be its president-they are so fortunate to have Bill as their new leader.”

In addition to being the founding dean of HSHP, Pollard served as dean of SU’s School of Social Work from 1989 to 2000. He was previously dean and founder of the Grambling State University School of Social Work (1984-89) and coordinator of the community organization skills set at the University of Pittsburgh (1980-82).

Pollard is well-known for his commitment to community service. His current and past activities include memberships on the United Way of Central New York Board of Directors; Success by Six Policy Council; Salvation Army Advisory Committee; Volunteer Center Advisory Board; Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare Board of Directors; InterReligious Council of Central New York Board of Directors; and Elmcrest Children’s Center Board of Directors. He has also served as a coach for the Syracuse Boys and Girls Club’s “Biddy Basketball” program.

In addition, Pollard has served on the board of directors of the Council on Social Work Education (vice president) and of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, and the National Network of Social Work Managers (president). Pollard’s many honors and awards include: Citizen of the Year, Temple Adath Yeshurun, Syracuse, in 2000 (other honorees included Hillary Rodham Clinton); Prism Award, Rape Crisis Center, Syracuse, in 1993; and the First Annual Governor’s Award for African Americans of Distinction, New York State, in 1992.