The History of the ALLSWE
The Association of Latina and Latino Social Work Educators is an organization for the development of education in Social Work especially among the Latino population. As an autonomous organization it strives to guarantee a mechanism for participation and representation in all matters that affect the work done in education and research in the field of Social Work and promote the professional development of it's members.
1970s: Chicano caucuses and Puerto Rican caucuses met regularly at CSWE annual program meetings. These were ad-hoc meetings of Hispanic educators concerned about issues facing Hispanic students, faculty, and clients.
In the 1980's: •CSWE House of Delegates represented various constituents. •All minority groups had delegates to this body. •Met in the large assembly, with the CSWE board, and association of deans & directors •House of Delegates dissolved and minority slots were created on the CSWE Board •Puerto Rican and Mexican-American groups combined.
1987-88: •Andy Dieppa and Simon Dominguez from San Jose State initiated a steering committee •Great debate over what to call the organization •Dr. Dieppa first presiding president •First set of by-laws created •Board members were regional representatives –Eventually moved to members-at-large model
2011: •List-serv initiated •By-laws revised in 2009 •Website – ALSWE.org •Latino Task Force Final Report •Launching of the Latino symposium •Establishment of Spanish-speaking track •A barometer for Latino educators’ perspectives
2012-13: •ALSWE name change to Association of Latina and Latino Social Work Educators (ALLSWE) •By-Laws updated to change terms for President and President Elect from one year to two years •15 Latina/Latino Track •3 Spanish Language Track •Scholarship Awarded – MSW Student •Increased representation in CSWE Board and Committees •ALLSWE Panel Presentation (2012; 2013) •Alswe.org website
Latino Representation at CSWE Governance Level (2011): –Board of Directors (1) –Commission on Accreditation (1) –Commission for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice (2) –Council on Racial, Ethnic and Cultural Diversity (1) –Commission on Educational Policy (1) –Council on Leadership Development (1) National Nominating Committee (2)
Latina/Latino Representation at CSWE Governance Level (2013): –Board of Directors (4) –Commission on Accreditation (3) –Center for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice (3) –Commission on Educational Policy (1) –Council on Leadership Development (1) –National Nominating Committee (1) –Commission on Membership and Professional Development (1)
The Association continues to strive toward adequate representation of Latina/Latino faculty in Schools of Social Work, at the CSWE board and commission levels, and as CSWE site visitors. In addition, it strives to increase the cultural competency of the social work profession by fostering an understanding of the diverse Hispanic cultures that make up our communities through research, presentations, and publications.
Past Presidents of ALLSWE:
Dr. Flavio Marsiglia, President 2012-2016, Arizona State University
Dr. Sylvia Romero, President 2012-2014, Community Consolidated School District 46, Illinois
Dr. Cora Le-Doux, President 2010-2012, Our Lady of the Lake University.
Dr. Debora Ortega, President 2009-2010, University of Denver
Dr. Virginia Rondero Hernandez, President, 2008-2009, California State University, Fresno