Volunteers Help Ensure Priorities of the Profession Remain

Boardroom

By Paul R. Pace

Eboni L. Ceasar, PhD, LCSW-S, says she believes in the power of the collective voice. That energy inspired her to serve as president of the NASW Texas Chapter.

“Texas is home to one of the largest and most diverse social work communities in the country, and I felt called to help shape a statewide agenda that centers equity, strengthens our workforce, and amplifies the critical role of social workers across every setting,” Ceasar said.

Before becoming president, Ceasar served on statewide committees, and legislative and advocacy workgroups for the chapter, and she held leadership positions in coalitions and partner organizations.

“These roles allowed me to collaborate with local branches, support regional leadership, and work closely with student representatives to ensure emerging social workers had a voice in our statewide strategy,” says Ceasar, director of social work and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.

“I pursued social work because I come from a family and community where healing, service and justice were lived values,” she explained. “I witnessed early on how systems can both uplift and harm—and I wanted to be part of building systems that do better.”

Ceasar said NASW is one of the most effective vehicles for advancing policy, protecting licensure, advocating for fair working conditions, and strengthening the profession, “but it can only do that effectively when members actively engage and ensure that the priorities we advance truly reflect the needs of social workers and the communities we serve.”