The School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno recently announced a pair of new hires: Dr. Lillian Wichinsky, PhD, LMSW, to the role of Associate Dean; and Eugenia Weiss, PhD, PsyD, MSW/LCSW, MA to the role of Master of Social Work Program Director. According to a Sept. 1 press release from the school — which in 2019 became the first independent, freestanding School of Social Work in Nevada — Dr. Wichinsky will be the school’s first-ever associate dean.
She has more than 25 years’ experience in social work. Previous work areas include child welfare, advocating for individuals with disabilities and the homeless, best practices in working with youth transitioning from foster care, and working as an evaluator and grant writer. “I love being out in the community and working with community organizations,” Dr. Wichinsky said in a statement. “As social workers we like to think we’re going to solve all the world’s problems, but we’re not going to do it alone. We’re going to solve them by working together with engineers, journalists, businesses, and other professionals.” Wichinsky has a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from Florida International University in Miami, a master’s degree in Social Work from California State University in Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Given the significant growth and new independent status of the School, the need for an Associate Dean was quickly recognized,” Dr. Shadi Martin, Dean of the School of Social Work, said in a statement. “The School is fortunate to have found someone with the combination of skills, education, and expertise Dr. Wichinsky brings to the School. Not only is she an accomplished faculty, scholar, mentor, and administrator, she brings with her the much-needed knowledge and background in accreditation, program evaluation, licensing preparation, community engagement, and so much more.”
Eugenia Weiss
Dr. Weiss has more than 30 years of experience in social work. Prior to UNR, Dr. Weiss worked as a licensed clinical social worker and licensed psychologist, per the Sept. 1 release.
She held a private practice serving Latinx clients and working with military veterans and their families. She has also worked in community behavioral health settings primarily serving Spanish-speaking clientele. An immigrant from Chile, she and spent her formative years residing in Southern California before relocating to Nevada. “As part of the Wolf Pack, I am all about team effort and supporting our students in their education and career trajectories as the next generation of social work practitioners, advocates, policy makers and leaders to address the 13 Grand Challenges of Social Work and beyond,” Dr. Weiss said in a statement.
Eugenia Weiss