Dr. Shirley Jones, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Jones’ most distinguished career includes being named an Academic Laureate by the University at Albany Foundation, a SUNY-wide Distinguished Service Professor, and a UAlbany Collins Fellow.

In 2000, Dr. Jones created the US-Africa Partnership for Building Stronger Communities. The Partnership has fostered the Summer Study Tours to Africa and numerous other international collaborations. Most recently, Dr. Jones chaired the School of Social Welfare’s Student Scholarship Committee, and served on several doctoral committees.

Dr. Jones recently received an award from Southern Mississippi State University, where she served as Dean of Social Work for 10 years, and in 2010 was named an NASW Pioneer. Numerous other awards reflect her excellence across many domains and sectors. This includes awards from the NAACP, City of Albany, U.S. Census Bureau, American Humane Society, and the National Association of Black Social Workers. NASW had also honored her as Social Worker of the Year in Mississippi.

The career of Dr. Jones has exemplified service, leadership and scholarship. She has addressed some of the most pressing social justice challenges of our times both in the US and internationally. Her impacts can be felt across numerous nations and her legacy is deep, wide, and historic given the many lives, as well as the institutions, she has touched and changed.

Her plans for the future include continuing to support the Study Tour to Africa, currently directed by Dr. Robert Miller, Jr., as a member of the Fundraising Committee. She is also conducting research for a book on the “Mindfulness of Rurality: The Worth and Dignity of All.”

To make a gift in Dr. Jones’ honor, you can contribute to the Dr. Shirley Jones’ International Community Building Fund. Simply specify the name of the fund in the “comments” box of the SSW giving web page.

Click here to make a donation.