ATHENS, Ga. – Maurice Daniels, professor and director of the masters in social work (M.S.W.) program, has been named associate dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia effective Aug. 1 pending Board of Regents approval.
Daniels, who joined the faculty in 1979, succeeds Larry Nackerud, who has returned to the faculty as a teaching professor and will conduct research in social welfare reform policy and immigration policy.
“Dr. Daniels has filled a number of leadership roles in the school,” said Nancy Kropf, interim dean of the School of Social Work. “Most recently he has served as MSW program director and provided outstanding leadership to graduate students who are pursing their degree at either the Athens or Gwinnett campus. In addition, his linkage to the community is well established and respected through such initiatives as the Foot Soldier for Equal Justice Project. I very much value his skills and knowledge in these areas and look forward to our work together in the dean’s office.”
“I am honored to serve the School of Social Work in the administrative position of associate dean,” said Daniels. “I have a longstanding personal and professional commitment to help prepare social work leaders and scholars to address issues of social and economic justice. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with colleagues and the wider university community to prepare a cadre of leaders to address the ever changing social and economic challenges of our citizenry.”
Daniels earned an Ed.D. degree in 1982 from Indiana University School of Education, his M.S.W. degree in 1975 from Indiana University School of Social Service, and a B.S degree in 1972 in psychology from Indiana University. Prior to joining UGA, he served as a school social worker in the Indianapolis public schools, as coordinator of social services at the Indianapolis Sickle Cell Center and as assistant director of Project Upward Bound at Indiana University.
Since joining the UGA social work school in 1979, Daniels has been coordinator of field instruction-M.S.W. work study program, project director of the Patricia Roberts Harris graduate fellowship program and assistant to the dean of the Graduate School.
In 2001 Daniels played a pivotal role in establishing the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies, a partnership with the Richard B. Russell Library to chronicle Georgia’s rich history in the civil rights movement. This venture focuses on unsung foot soldiers of the movement. Daniels is the author of the book titled Horace T. Ward: Desegregation of the University of Georgia, Civil Rights Advocacy, and Jurisprudence. Currently the Foot Soldier Project is producing a documentary that covers the life of eminent civil rights attorney Donald L. Hollowell, who championed civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s and won several precedent-setting cases.
Daniels has been active in the community, serving as board chairman for the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, secretary of the Governor’s Children’s Trust Fund, education committee chairman for the Athens-Clarke County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, president of the National Association of Black Social Workers (Northeast Georgia chapter), and board member of the Northeast Georgia Business Council to name a few.
Daniels lives in Athens with his wife, Renee, and their four children, Carrin, Lauren, Nicole and Maya.
