Dorinda Noble named SWT School of Social Work director

SAN MARCOS – Dorinda N. Noble has been named director of the Southwest Texas State University School of Social Work.

Noble has served as the director of the SWT School of Social Work’s Master of Social Work degree program since 2001. Prior to that, she served as the master of social work program coordinator at Louisiana State University. She takes over for the departing Karen Brown, who helped establish and guide the School of Social Work at SWT for the past 15 years.

“It’s quite an honor to be tapped to be director of this school,” Noble said. “Dr. Karen Brown has been director for a good many years, and she has left a fantastic legacy.

“ She took just a collection of course offerings in sociology and anthropology and built it up into a large and successful school,” she said. “She’s left big footsteps to fill.”

Noble earned her Ph.D. in social work from the University of Texas at Austin in 1990, her master of social work degree from Tulane in 1971 and her BA in sociology from Texas Tech in 1969. One of Noble’s biggest goals is to help the School evolve to take advantage of the changing reality of 21st century education.

“We’re very interested in broadening our distance education program,” Noble explained. “Social work needs are prevalent in our society and know no borders, but in Texas, there are no MSW programs west of I-35. Our goal is to extend our programs beyond this campus and take social work programs and services to those communities that really need it. That’s out hope and vision.”

With approximately 100 students currently in the bachelor of science degree program and a like number in the MSW program, Noble sees the school well-positioned for the future. Already, plans are under way to expand services offered through the School’s Center for Children and Families as well as increasing the continuing education credit offerings for professionals in the community.

“ I am fortunate we have such strong programs in place,” Noble said. “The faculty of the School is top notch, and they’ll continue to do the good job they always do. That will make my job vastly easier.”