We are delighted to share that Crystal Moore, Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work, will join the Dean of the Faculty’s office in June as the Associate Dean of the Faculty with responsibility for diversity and faculty affairs.  Crystal has been an ardent supporter of the relationship between Skidmore and Saratoga Bridges which has benefited her students and our individuals. She has used her course “Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families,” as a platform to develop many initiatives including exercise studies and a new grief program – http://www.skidmore.edu/news/2014/1216-saratoga-bridges-counseling.php.  In 2008, Crystal created Bridges to Skidmore and personally she joined our musical group ‘One Voice’ last year.  For these reasons she was selected as our 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations and Best of luck Crystal!

Beau Breslin, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, offered these comments, “Crystal brings a keen intellect, the highest degree of integrity, and a deep sense of compassion to the position.  Since arriving at Skidmore in 2001 as an adjunct instructor, she has exhibited an enduring commitment to her students, her faculty and staff colleagues, and the institution in general.  She became an Assistant Professor in 2002, a tenured Associate Professor in 2008, and a full Professor in 2013.  This year, she was named to the endowed Quadracci Chair in Social Responsibility, a position she holds with great distinction.

Crystal is a true educator.  She understands that learning can be disquieting and that supporting students can be the most rewarding and transformative component of a teacher’s professional life.  Now she wants to take that experience — of supporting students — and apply it to the faculty.  She is also a wonderful scholar.  An expert in palliative care, Crystal has published widely in some of the most prestigious Social Work journals.  Of course, her involvement in the community is also well known.  She has led the Social Work program for a decade now, while serving various terms as Chair of CAFR and IRB.  This spring she will join CAPT for the semester.  She also forged an important relationship between Skidmore and Saratoga Bridges, a relationship that has benefitted scores of students over the last five years.  Finally, we are particularly excited by this appointment because of Crystal’s lifelong commitment to social justice, inclusion, and diversity.   

Those of us who are fortunate to know her are blessed by her grace and humbled by her spirit.  Her immense talent is exceeded only by her character; it is indeed an honor to work alongside her.  Please join me in congratulating — and thanking — Crystal for assuming this important role.