NC State University Appoints Dr. Alan Ellis as Executive Director of the School of Social Work
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) at North Carolina State University has officially named Dr. Alan Ellis as the Executive Director and Head of the School of Social Work. The announcement marks the permanent appointment of Dr. Ellis, who has successfully steered the school through key leadership transitions over the past several years.
Before this permanent appointment, Dr. Ellis served the School of Social Work as its associate head and, most recently, as its interim executive director and head since 2025.
A Proven Track Record of Leadership and Stability
In announcing the appointment, Deanna Dannels, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasized the stability and vision Dr. Ellis brings to the institution.
"Alan has demonstrated the leadership acumen required to lead the school effectively and has brought stability to the unit," Dean Dannels stated. "His visionary approach to social work education, his advocacy for the department, and his ability to navigate our current institutional landscape make him a wonderful person for this position."
Three Decades of Academic and Research Excellence
Dr. Ellis possesses over 30 years of professional experience in social work, research, and academia. A native of Durham, North Carolina, his career spans several prestigious institutions:
- NC State University (2014–Present): Joined the faculty in 2014. His research and teaching focus on mental health services, child mental health, program evaluation, and social justice.
- UNC-Chapel Hill (1997–2014): Spent 17 years in various research capacities, including 11 years as a research associate at the renowned Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research.
- Educational Background:
- B.A. in Computer Science and Spanish – Dartmouth College (1990)
- Master of Social Work (MSW) – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996)
- Ph.D. in Social Work – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012)
His scholarly contributions have been widely published, with extensive research dedicated to improving medical and mental health coordination, optimizing research methodologies, and studying help-seeking behaviors in families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
A Values-Based Approach to Social Work Education
Dr. Ellis’s appointment comes at a crucial time for social work education as institutions navigate shifting demographic demands and workforce shortages. To lead the school forward, Dr. Ellis is championing a leadership philosophy anchored in five core values: clarity, empathy, integrity, purpose, and trust.
His strategic vision is organized around four relationship-focused principles designed to strengthen the department's internal culture and external partnerships:
- Mutual Respect and Trust: Cultivating a collaborative environment among students, faculty, and administrators.
- Effective Communication: Emphasizing clear, constructive conflict resolution and transparent decision-making.
- Equity and Inclusion: Sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic organization.
- Operational Support: Ensuring faculty and staff are equipped with the resources to teach, research, and engage with local communities effectively.
With Dr. Ellis at the helm, the School of Social Work is poised to advance its mission of preparing the next generation of social work professionals to address critical societal, economic, and political challenges across North Carolina and beyond.