About Our Dean

Yarneccia D. Dyson, PhD, MSW is Dean and Maconda Brown O'Connor Endowed Dean's Chair of the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, where she also serves as Professor of Social Work. A nationally recognized higher education leader, scholar, and social work educator, Dr. Dyson is known for advancing innovative academic leadership, strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and organizational transformation. Curriculum Vitae

 As Dean, she provides executive leadership for the College's academic programs, research enterprise, strategic initiatives, and community engagement efforts. Under her leadership, the Graduate College of Social Work launched its inaugural strategic plan, Charting Our Path to Excellence (COPE), strengthened student success and workforce development initiatives, expanded interdisciplinary partnerships through UH Health, enhanced faculty and staff development, increased philanthropic engagement, and successfully led the College through reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.

Dr. Dyson's research examines health equity, HIV prevention, behavioral health, social determinants of health, and the experiences of historically marginalized communities. She is an externally funded investigator whose scholarship has been supported by organizations including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Her current work also explores the future of social work through artificial intelligence, simulation, and interdisciplinary innovation.

An accomplished academic leader, Dr. Dyson previously served as Executive Director and Head of the School of Social Work at North Carolina State University and as Department Chair at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for building high-performing teams, strengthening research capacity, expanding enrollment, advancing faculty and student success, and cultivating collaborative partnerships across higher education and communities.

Dr. Dyson is an active national leader within the social work profession. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), the CSWE Diversity Center Advisory Board, the CSWE Futures Task Force, and the CSWE Commission on Diversity and Social and Economic Justice. Her leadership has earned numerous national recognitions, including the Council on Social Work Education Women's Council Mentor Award, the CSWE Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership Award, and multiple awards recognizing excellence in research, leadership, and inclusive excellence.

Across every aspect of her work, Dr. Dyson is committed to preparing the next generation of social work leaders while advancing health, well-being, workforce readiness, and societal impact through innovation, academic excellence, and collaborative partnerships. Guided by the principle “Lift As You Climb,” Dean Dyson remains committed to transforming lives, strengthening the workforce, and advancing institutional excellence while positioning GCSW for sustained success.

• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): Commission on Diversity, Social, and Economic Justice - Representative for the Black Social Work Educators Association
• National Association for Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD) - Board Member
• Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR): AI Task Force - Representative for the NADD