Dr. Alan Ellis Appointed Permanent Executive Director of NC State 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 permanent Executive Director and Head of the School of Social Work. The announcement, made by CHASS Dean Deanna Dannels, comes after Dr. Ellis successfully led the department in an interim capacity for over a year.
Dr. Ellis, who joined the university in July 2014, brings three decades of professional experience in social work, research, and academia to his new permanent leadership role. His appointment has been widely welcomed by the university community as a step toward long-term organizational stability and continued educational innovation.
A Vision for Growth and Integration
In taking on the permanent directorship, Dr. Ellis expressed a clear vision for the future of the School of Social Work. He aims to build on recent institutional momentum while deepening the connection between classroom teaching and impactful community engagement.
"I am honored and delighted that Dean Dannels has made my leadership role permanent," said Dr. Ellis. "The School of Social Work has an outstanding group of faculty and staff, and I'm proud of the work we do to prepare competent generalist social work practitioners, critical thinkers, and leaders."
Dr. Ellis highlighted several strategic opportunities for the school moving forward:
- Strengthening organizational cohesion across academic levels.
- Enhancing instructional excellence to better prepare future practitioners.
- Integrating teaching with research and active public engagement.
Dean Dannels praised Dr. Ellis's steady hand during his transitional leadership period, noting that his approach is exactly what the school needs as it navigates the current higher education landscape. "Alan has demonstrated the leadership acumen required to lead the school effectively and has brought stability to the unit," Dannels said. "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."
A Career Dedicated to Public Service and Social Justice
Dr. Ellis has spent his professional life addressing critical human services and mental health challenges. Over his 30-year career, his work has spanned both extensive research and hands-on teaching.
Professional and Academic Background
- Educational Excellence: Dr. Ellis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Spanish from Dartmouth College in 1990. He then turned his focus toward human services, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Social Work in 2012, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Pre-NC State Career: Before arriving at NC State in July 2014, Dr. Ellis spent 17 years at UNC-Chapel Hill in various research capacities. This included 11 years as a research associate at the prestigious Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research.
- Rise at NC State: At NC State, Dr. Ellis served as an associate professor focusing on mental health services, child mental health, program evaluation, and social justice. He was appointed Associate Head of the School of Social Work in January 2025, before stepping up as Interim Head in June 2025.
Advocacy and Methodology
In his research, Dr. Ellis is recognized for promoting innovative methodologies. He has frequently called on the broader social work community to utilize "discrete choice experiments" to better capture stakeholder preferences and understand complex community needs.
Guided by a Values-Based Leadership Philosophy
At the core of Dr. Ellis's leadership is a dedication to mutual respect and transparent communication. He operates under a values-based philosophy designed to support both faculty and students.
Dr. Ellis outlines his primary leadership core values as:
- Clarity
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Purpose
- Trust
To put these values into practice, Dr. Ellis relies on four relationship-focused principles: maintaining mutual respect and trust; practicing effective communication and conflict resolution; sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization; and supporting people to work effectively.
His collaborative approach has garnered strong endorsements from departmental leaders. Dr. Ebony Perez, Director of Graduate Programs, stated, “Over the past year, Dr. Ellis has shown strong advocacy and leadership skills, and I look forward to working with him as we move the SSW into the future.”
Professor Trinette Boone Langley, Director of Undergraduate Programs, added: “Dr. Ellis has demonstrated a collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to the effective management of our resources while supporting the success of our faculty, staff, and students.”