Dear Students, Colleagues and Community Partners,
I write to let you know that I will be retiring from the University of Central Florida. This decision is bittersweet for me because I have truly enjoyed my time working with all of you in the School, College and University these last six years and I will miss you and the work tremendously. However, it is now time for me to transition into the next phase of my life. I have completed 40+ years in higher education and I am now looking forward to having more time to travel, spend time with family and friends and discover new life experiences.
It has been a privilege to serve as your colleague and Director of this fine School of Social Work. Over the last six years, we have accomplished a number of significant achievements to include the full reaffirmation of the BSW and MSW Programs by the Council on Social Work Education (through 2024), the development and implementation of a wildly successful online MSW Program, the transition of our School into the new College of Health Professions and Sciences, the development of the Center for Behavioral Health Research and Training, and the recognition by national peers of the quality of the MSW Program, as evidenced by this year’s ranking by U. S. News and World Report. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the dedicated work of all of you, and the support we have received from colleagues and leadership in the College and throughout the University. I believe the School is very strong at this point in time and can play a major role in the continuing development of the College as a key player in the academic health sciences center.
I have been in contact with both Interim Dean Stout and incoming Dean Ingersoll about my retirement and leadership transition. They are in agreement that Dr. Ana Leon will serve as the Interim Director of the School beginning in August 2019. She is a dear colleague and has a remarkable professional background, I trust that she will be a great asset to our School’s future.
I wish all of you the very best for your continued success and look forward to learning about the new developments, initiatives and achievements of the students, faculty and staff of the School. Thank you again for the important work that you do on behalf of our profession.
All the best,
Bonnie
Bonnie L. Yegidis, Ph.D. MSW
Professor and Director
School of Social Work
College of Health Professions and Sciences
Academic Health Sciences Center
Core Faculty, Violence Against Women Cluster
University of Central Florida
