Yeshiva University Appoints Randy Magen New Dean of Wurzweiler School of Social Work

Yeshiva University announced the appointment of Randy Magen as dean of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work (WSSW), succeeding Interim Dean Ronnie Glassman.

Magen has been a social work educator for over 30 years, working as assistant professor at Columbia School of Social Work, Professor and Associate Dean for Curriculum at University of Alaska Anchorage and Director and Professor at Boise State University School of Social Work.

The appointment, which took place in July, comes after a nearly two year search by a committee chaired by WSSW Senior Professor Nancy Beckerman for a permanent replacement for Dean Danielle Wozniak, who left the position in January 2022.

“The committee members and I agreed that Dr. Randy Magen was the ideal candidate for the job,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Selma Botman told The Commentator. “He is experienced, has high academic standards, and understands growth in academic programs and student enrollment. Dr. Magen, who is a good listener and a serious strategic thinker, also has a warm and winning personality.” 

As dean, Magen’s job entails ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of various programs and working with the faculty to provide direction, emphasize academic excellence, and meet the needs of the students. His job also includes building relationships with various organizations outside of the school, such as social work agencies and alumni.

Magen explained to The Commentator that he was attracted to YU because  he was “impressed by how the School has been working to deliver social work education through various formats and to many different communities.” He also stated that he feels he has been “warmly welcomed” in his new role, and that YU “has been the friendliest and most welcoming University I have ever been to.”

Magen also shared some of the aspects of his new role which he is most excited for.

“I'm excited to sit with students and learn more about their lives — what brought them here?  What do they hope to do with their education?  I'm excited to meet with faculty and talk about social work education — how should we incorporate AI, for example, into the curriculum.  I'm eager to figure out where we can build on the solid foundation that exists in Wurzweiler to meet the need for social workers.

“I'm also a College Basketball fan, so I'm looking forward to watching YU's men's college basketball team!”

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Photo Caption: Randy Magen was appointed as the new dean of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work this summer.

Photo Credit: Yeshiva University