The social work program has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 11 years.

Back in 1997, when social work and education became one division (social work was part of the Division of Basic and Applied Social Sciences before that), there was no Accelerated Studies for Adults Program (ASAP). A bachelor’s degree in social work began being offered through ASAP last year.

Since then, “we’ve grown very rapidly in our adult delivery while maintaining our traditional program,” said Gail Roberts, program director for social work. “We also have a number of adjunct instructors. We’ve just gotten a little too big to be [combined with education].”

Social work will become its own division July 1 with Roberts serving as division chair. Roberts came to Keuka in 1996 and has served as program director since 1998.

As chair of the Division of Social Work, Roberts said she’ll be doing a lot of the same things she does now—including budgeting—only she’ll be doing it “more independently.

“I work closely with the chair of the Division of Education and Social Work Diane Burke now,” said Roberts. “As chair, I’ll be taking the lead. I’ll have the major administrative responsibilities and will be more involved in overall College issues, like any other division chair.”

Said Roberts: “It’s an exciting time for social work—we’re stretching to provide those in the human services access to a professional degree.”