Rockwell Hall of Science at Grove City College. (Grove City College)

By Riley Dunn, Pittsburgh Business Times

Carlow University will look a little different this fall, upon debuting its College of Education and Social Work. This new restructuring comes as a response to the growth of those programs over the last few years, following an increase in student enrollment, grant funding and grant coordination. 

“By uniting education and social work under one academic home, we are creating the conditions for collaboration between faculty who share a mission, students who share a calling, and community partners who rely on both,” Dr. Kathy Humphrey, president of Carlow said in a statement. “This new college gives clarity and purpose to the values that already define us — and builds a stronger foundation for those we serve.”

The college will unite Carlow’s nationally recognized programs in social work and education under one roof. This includes initiatives in the areas of secondary education, special education, elementary, reading specialist, leadership and more. 

Students will also have access to Carlow’s on-campus Campus Laboratory School (CLS) and Early Learning Center (ELC). 

Both the social work and education programs are dedicated to accessible degree pathways, including two fully online undergraduate majors. All of the schools graduate programs are online.

As part of the launch, Dr. Keely Baronak has been named the College’s founding dean. 

Since joining Carlow, Baronak has led in the creation of seven new education programs and has worked to secure funding for the Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program — the largest grant ever received by Carlow University. 

Between those departments, the grant totaled over $20 million, and Baronak remains grateful to the Pittsburgh foundations in the community that made it possible. 

Carlow’s success in grant awards has allowed the university to fund generous scholarships for its students.

It is because of her deep experience and knowledge in the areas of grant acquisition, program development and cross-sector collaboration that Baronak was seen as the perfect leader for the new school. 

“For so many of our students, education or social work isn’t just their major. It’s a calling,” Baronak said. “Here, we shape leaders who understand the power of compassion and advocacy.” 

Current faculty in the disciplines of education and social work have had a longstanding collaborative relationship, and both departments share a student-centered, justice-oriented approach to professional preparation. 

“Because of Carlow’s size, there’s a lot of interconnectivity among all of the departments, and there’s a lot of natural synergy between the mission of teacher education and of social work,” Baronak said. 

The merger formalizes an already shared set of values and practices that are used to teach students not only the theory behind their degrees, but also the interpersonal, ethical and leadership skills that come with their chosen professions. 

“Students who choose social work are often motivated, above anything else, by a sense of purpose,” Kathryn Bonach, chair of the Social Work Department, said in a release. “They want to stand beside those who are navigating hardship and help create pathways forward. Educators also share this conviction.” 

In addition to the support of its students, the College of Education and Social Work will seek to deepen Carlow’s collaboration with community organizations, school districts, nonprofit partners and government agencies. This will ensure that graduates are both ready to take on their careers and equipped with the tools they need to make meaningful change. 

Carlow allies itself with 67 childcare centers across six counties in Western Pennsylvania, helping to meet the critical workforce need for childcare.

“I’m just really grateful for this opportunity to lead the new college and to be a part of the dynamic and dedicated team that exists here,” Baronak said. “I’m proud to represent them.”

Carlow University’s newest college is now live on its online platform, which features faculty spotlights, student stories and key program information. 

Riley Dunn is a student at the University of Iowa and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.