Washington, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has elected Jim Kelly, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW as its president. With nearly 150,000 members, NASW is the largest professional organization of social workers worldwide. Dr. Kelly brings more than 25 years of social work education experience to the NASW presidency.
Dr. Kelly is the Provost and Executive Vice President of Menlo College in Atherton, CA. He is a tenured social work educator, having worked for many years in the California State University system most recently as a professor, Associate Vice President of Continuing and International Education, and Interim Provost at California State University, East Bay.
“Dr. Kelly brings a wealth of talent and experience to the leadership of NASW. His diverse background and widespread experience as a social work educator will be a great benefit to the progress of NASW,” says Dr. Elizabeth Clark, executive director of NASW.
Dr. Kelly has been actively involved with NASW serving as president of NASW's California Chapter, and has been active in the Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Hawaii chapters. In 1987 he was named NASW's Social Worker of the Year.
“NASW's most important function is to advocate for the social work profession on behalf of our clients. As a community, we must continue to attain the highest professional standards, protect client and practitioner rights, and improve health and human service systems of care,” says Dr. Kelly. “I hope that as president of NASW I can work with all social workers to advance the profession and to provide more for individuals, families, and communities.”
A former consultant to the United Nations on aging, Dr. Kelly has extensive global experience in higher education. His division at Cal State East Bay operated the International House residence and supervised on-campus international students, including significant contingents from China and Saudi Arabia. He was responsible for U.S. and international student recruitment, retention, and support services, and administered MBA programs in Austria, Russia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and a CPA program in Japan.
Dr. Kelly was recently honored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California, who highlighted his many accomplishments while working in the California State University system. “Dr. Kelly’s commitment to the students and faculty of the CSU system, as well as the community at large, has had a positive impact on countless lives,” she said.
For more information about Jim Kelly, or to interview him, please contact NASW Communications Department at media@naswdc.org.
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NASW is the largest association of social workers in the world, with nearly 150,000 members in 56 chapters throughout the United States and abroad.It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.