Ben Roth, Ph.D., has been appointed as the College of Social Work’s new Associate Dean for Curriculum. Roth, a USC faculty member since 2013, brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to academic excellence to his new role.
Roth’s research includes immigration and social stratification with a particular focus on youth and barriers to social mobility. His recent work has explored the role of school social workers in migrant-serving schools nationwide and the involvement of human service organizations in migrant communities. He has also conducted significant research on the Venezuelan migration crisis in Bogotá, Colombia, and examined the impact of separating migrant parents and children at the U.S. border.
Throughout his career Roth has received funding from sources such as the Spencer Foundation, the W.T. Grant Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His scholarly contributions have been published in journals including the Journal of the Society for Social Work Research, American Journal of Public Health and Ethnic and Racial Studies.
In his new role as Associate Dean for Curriculum, Dr. Roth will provide leadership and oversight to academic programs within the College of Social Work. His responsibilities include representing the college on university academic committees, ensuring the functioning of college programs, overseeing curricular revisions and enhancing quality of teaching. His work will also encompass improving educational standards and supporting the accreditation process for the BSW and MSW programs.
Roth holds a Master of Social Work from Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work and earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. He is also a faculty associate at the University of South Carolina’s Walker Institute of International and Area Studies and a core faculty member of the Rule of Law Collaborative.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students to further strengthen our academic programs,” said Roth. “Terry Wolfer has done so much in his time as AD for Curriculum to enrich our course offerings, launch an on-line program and get the program reaccredited. It’s exciting to build on this momentum in collaboration with a great leadership team!”
Dean Teri Browne is confident that Dr. Roth's leadership and vision will significantly contribute to the continued success and growth of college academic programs.
"Dr. Roth’s dedication to research and education, combined with his leadership experience, makes him an excellent choice for this critical role. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our college, curriculum and our students."
Roth officially assume his responsibilities in June.