by Evaon Wong
October 1st 2025
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Photo of PSU School of Social Work Dean - Evaon Wong
Hello and welcome to a new academic year at the School of Social Work!
We are so glad to see the students and faculty back in the classroom this week, connecting and reconnecting with fellow classmates and SSW faculty, and beginning the process of learning and growth and discovery in preparation for making the world a better place as future social workers.
That said, we also begin the year in an unusual place. An uncomfortable place. A place that feels unlike any we have seen before. We begin the new term under the shadow of a threatened heavy federal presence – and even National Guard deployment – in our city. Starting classes is enough of a challenge for many of us, but doing so while worrying about the safety of our friends, family members and colleagues, including anxiety over our right to peacefully protest based on some of our most cherished values, is itself an extra source of stress.
Amidst all this, you need to know that your well-being, both academic and personal, is our highest priority at the School of Social Work. We encourage you to utilize PSU’s campus resources—from counseling services to Community Connection hour program offerings—as we all navigate this uncertain time together.
There are, as I’ve mentioned before, challenges at the university level as well. The Financial Town Hall held recently offered an opportunity to hear directly from the university’s senior leadership about these challenges, and what the path forward looks like. More information was shared in these slides at last week’s Board of Trustees meeting as well.
These challenging conditions will likely persist as we move through the academic year. I want to reemphasize that our highest calling in this environment is to redouble our efforts on what we do best, focusing on both excellence in the classroom, and the positive and absolutely vital work you do in our communities.
Together let’s make this upcoming year one that makes us proud to be part of the essential profession of social work, and be the kind of courageous and dedicated community builders that are needed now perhaps more than ever.
Sincerely,
Dean Evaon Wong