Dr. Selena T. Rodgers Appointed to CSWE Board of Accreditation

QUEENS, NY — York College, City University of New York (CUNY), proudly announces that the chairperson of the College’s Department of Social Work, Dr. Selena T. Rodgers, PhD, MSW, LCSW-R, has been appointed to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Her three-year term will begin on July 1, 2025.

Dr. Rodgers, a nationally recognized leader in social work education, has served as a certified BOA Site Visitor since 2019. Her appointment marks a historic milestone—she is the first person from York College’s 40-year-old social work program to hold this prestigious national position.

“This is a significant achievement for Dr. Rodgers, and it bodes well for York College too,” said President Claudia V. Schrader. “She is an inspiration to her students and a shining example of the excellence and impact of our faculty. We are proud of her hard work and scholarly contributions to the social work profession.”

The CSWE-BOA is responsible for accrediting baccalaureate, master’s, and post-master’s social work programs nationwide and is currently piloting accreditation for professional practice doctoral programs.

“Although this opportunity had presented itself before, my focus then was on achieving full accreditation for York College’s MSW Program,” said Dr. Rodgers, “With that milestone now reached, I felt called to take this next step in service. I’m grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and York College leadership who supported my journey.”

Dr. Rodgers added that her preparation included attending information sessions, engaging with board members and staff, and completing her application.

She acknowledged the support of York College’s leadership, including President Schrader; Dr. Derrick Brazill, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Maureen Becker, interim vice provost and dean of Health Sciences and Professional Programs.

“This appointment is more than a personal achievement—it raises the national visibility of York College, the Department of Social Work, and our community in Southeast Queens,” Dr. Rodgers said. “It aligns with the spirit of our Alma Mater, which celebrates rich diversity and academic excellence.”

Dr. Rodgers, founding director, and program chief administrator of the MSW Program at CUNY York College, brings deep accreditation experience, having led the development and initial 2015 accreditation of York College’s graduate social work program—the first in Queens County—and achieving full accreditation under CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards with no conditions.

She is also a member of York College’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Self-Study Working Group, focusing on governance, leadership, and administration. Her CSWE-BOA appointment further positions her to support York’s upcoming reaccreditation efforts.

“Despite challenges in today’s political climate, including threats to equity, inclusion, and human rights, I remain inspired by the board’s mission to shape strong policy priorities and sustainable outcomes in social work education,” she said.

Learn more about Dr. Rodgers