Patricia Welch Saleeby, assistant professor of social work at UMSL, is leading the collaborative effort to create and oversee the Center for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice, an online center that serves as an electronic database and exchange. (Photo by Alicia Hottle)
Creating a hub of collaboration and resources is an important dynamic of the field of social work. Having the ability to bring it together in one place is now the responsibility of one University of Missouri–St. Louis scholar.
Patricia Welch Saleeby, assistant professor of social work at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has been appointed chair of the Commission for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice by the Council on Social Work Education. As chair, she’s leading the collaborative effort to create and oversee the Center for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice, an online center that serves as an electronic database and exchange.
“The social work profession has always embraced diversity and social justice,” said Saleeby, who will serve as chair until July 2013. “It is exciting that this new diversity center and website will enable us to share our resources with educators, practitioners and researchers not only within our field but in other disciplines also. We hope that the center will become a valuable diversity hub for both the nonprofit and for-profit sector.”
The electronic database, which is now online, showcases the commission’s accomplishments and provides resources related to the center’s mission and activities. There’s information for educators, researchers, practitioners and corporations related to diversity.
Saleeby is an expert in disability and diversity. She has conducted research on promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities in breast care and other health settings with funding from the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation. In addition, she’s done extensive work with Paraquad and the Starkloff Disability Institute locally and the World Health Organization and American Psychological Association.
The Commission for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice promotes social work education inclusion, equity, social and economic justice and the integration of knowledge of how the multiple aspects of human diversity intersect. The commission performs through establishing and advancing collaborative partnerships with all Council on Social Work Education diversity and social justice-related commissions and affiliated groups, including external intraprofessional and multidisciplinary partnerships.
