Wesley Church Named Dean of the Springfield College School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Wesley Church II has been named the Dean of the Springfield College School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Church’s professional background includes more than 20 years of experience in the field of social work, primarily in criminal justice settings.

“Springfield College will benefit from the broad experiences and accomplishments that Dr. Church brings to the dean’s role,” said Springfield College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Potvin. “His spirit of innovation and collaboration as well as successes in growing enrollments in online and continuing education programs in Social Work and in Child and Family Studies bode well for successful leadership across all departments in the year-old School of Social and Behavioral Studies.”

Dr. Church has been the J. Franklin Bayhi Endowed Professor, the Special Assistant for Assessment, and formerly the Director of the Louisiana State University School of Social Work.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to be part of the Springfield family — my career in higher education has always had a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the quality of life for our community,” said Church. “The Springfield College School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences faculty are incredibly talented and committed, and I look forward to working alongside them. There is tremendous potential for innovations to heighten student experiences and success and I look forward to collaborating with the entire Springfield College community in growing the School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences.”

Dr. Church succeeds Dr. Francine Vecchiolla, who is retiring after 30 years of distinguished service at Springfield College.