From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date: December 13, 2022
Re: Appointment of Professor Charmaine Williams as Dean, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (PDAD&C #16)

I am very pleased to share with you that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the appointment of Professor Charmaine Williams as Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work for a five-year term from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027. She will also hold the Sandra Rotman Chair in Social Work.  

Professor Williams currently serves as the Interim Dean of the Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work,  part of her long history of service to the University of Toronto. She has served as the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Officer (2003-2004) and the Associate Dean, Academic at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (2009-2014). She has also served as Provostial Advisor on Access Programs (2014-2015), and was appointed as the Vice-Dean, Students at the School of Graduate Studies (2018 – 2021). 

Professor Williams’ research bridges practice and access, with a focus on health equity issues that affect various populations including racial minority women, LGBTQ individuals in local and international contexts, HIV-affected communities, and individuals and families affected by serious and persistent mental illnesses. Most of her practice experience has been in the mental health care system where she worked in inpatient and outpatient services. She has also been involved in organizational change initiatives in the health care sector, and has extensive experience developing and delivering professional education in the areas of anti-racism, cultural competence, mental health, and addictions.  Recent activities include serving on the expert panel for the Mental Health of Black Canadians Initiative at the Public Health Agency of Canada, working on the Anti-Racism Advisory Panel that developed the Toronto Police Service’s race-based data collection policy, and joining the Advisory Board for the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work.  

In all of her roles, Professor Williams has distinguished herself as someone who is dedicated, student-focused, and a champion for issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. Among many other activities, she has served as a representative on the Council on Student Experience, and on the Equity and Diversity in Research and Innovation Working Group. She has handled Student Code and tribunal cases; and served on several searches for faculty, Chair, and Dean positions. 

Professor Williams earned a BSc (Biology) and a BA (Psychology) at McMaster University and a MSW and PhD from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto. Prior to joining the University of Toronto, Professor Williams was a Social Worker at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.    

Professor Williams’ passion for social work, her dedication to the future of the profession, and her vision will all be central to the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work’s continued success in the years ahead.  

Please join me in congratulating Professor Williams on this appointment.