Dean of the School of Social Work announcement
May 11, 2023 1:31 PM

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Benjamin Lough has been selected to serve as the next dean of the School of Social Work, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. His title until officially approved will be Dean of the School of Social Work Designate, and his appointment will begin May 16. He will serve a three-year appointment.

Professor Lough is currently a professor in the School of Social Work and a professor and director of Social Innovation at the Gies College of Business. He has been a member of the faculty at Illinois since 2011, and in that time, he acted as director of the Master of Social Work program for two years, in addition to serving in several research partnerships with the United Nations, Washington University and the University of Johannesburg. 

His teaching interests focus on community development, nonprofit management and social innovation. He currently teaches courses on the nonprofit sector, social entrepreneurship, social work theory and organizational strategies for social change. He is currently working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to create an agency-wide mental health policy. He also continues to study the comparative advantages of hybrid social purpose organizations over traditional nonprofits.

Professor Lough received an associate’s degree in social sciences from Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in social work from Brigham Young University. He received his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. After earning his Ph.D., he worked as a consultant for the Department of Human and Social Services for the Government of American Samoa and for the United Nations Development Program. 

His Illinois experience, research interests and passion for public engagement will make him a strong next dean for the School of Social Work. We are excited for him to lead in this position. 

Please join me in welcoming Professor Lough into his new role at Illinois. 

Sincerely,

William Bernhard 
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost