Allan Barsky, Ph.D., an FAU professor of social work, has received the Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education Award from the CSWE.

Allan Barsky, Ph.D., a Florida Atlantic University professor of social work, has received the Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education Award from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

This award is among CSWE’s highest honors, given to outstanding educators for significant contributions to social work education. The Significant Lifetime Achievement award recognizes a social work educator over an entire career, and acknowledges extraordinary leadership in education, scholarship and service that has significantly advanced, promoted and contributed to social work education locally, nationally and globally.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive CSWE’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Work Education,” said Barsky, who is part of the Phyllis & Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within the FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. “Since 1989, I’ve had the privilege of helping aspiring social workers build the knowledge, skills and ethical foundation needed to make meaningful differences in the lives of the clients and communities they serve. Social work is a profession rooted in the values of social justice and respect for the inherent dignity and worth of every person – values I’ve sought to uphold in all my interactions with students and colleagues at FAU. One of the greatest rewards of this career has been the opportunity to continually learn and grow – especially through the insight, passion and resilience of our students.”

Barsky also was honored with the FAU Alumni Association Impact in Teaching award in 2024 and was named the 2020 FAU Scholar of the Year. He has served as chair of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) National Ethics Committee, as well as on its Code of Ethics Review Committee, and was awarded NASW’s Excellence in Ethics award.

“It is with immense pride that I congratulate Dr. Barsky on being selected for his prestigious honor,” said Naelys Luna, Ph.D., dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. “This award is a fitting recognition of his dedication to advancing social work education through his impactful scholarship and tireless service to the profession. His influence has transcended classrooms and borders, shaping the field both nationally and globally. Dr. Barsky’s lifelong commitment to the values of social work and education excellence continues to inspire generations of social work professionals and educators. On behalf of our college, we celebrate this remarkable achievement and thank Dr. Barsky for his extraordinary contributions to the profession.”

CSWE was founded in 1952 and is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 900 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Barsky will be honored at CSWE’s 71st annual conference in Denver, Colorado in October.

“I nominated Dr. Barsky for one of the most prestigious awards in our field because I had observed his leadership and scholarship at national conferences even before joining FAU’s School of Social Work,” said Michael Robinson, Ph.D., director of the Sandler School of Social Work. “He is not only a highly respected figure in the profession for over two decades, but also internationally recognized for his expertise. His insight is frequently sought for national presentations and service on key committees, making him an invaluable leader on our faculty. This is a well-deserved honor.”

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