NEW ROCHELLE, NY, March 15, 2006 -- At its upcoming annual dinner, the Westchester division of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) will be honoring Dr. Judith Gordon, a member of the faculty at The College of New Rochelle, as the 2006 Social Worker of the Year for her lengthy and in-depth contributions to the profession.  She will be officially recognized at the Davenport Club dinner on Thursday, March 30, at 6:00 pm.

 "We are delighted that NASW has commended Dr. Gordon for her extensive accomplishments as a Social Work professional and educator, and are grateful for the work she has done to make the Social Work program at CNR exemplary," said Dr. Dick Thompson, Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. "Through her gifted teaching, bringing a variety of speakers to CNR, and creating important collaborations with community organizations, Dr. Gordon has demonstrated a passion and excellence in her field that makes her an outstanding role model for our students." 

Dr. Gordon joined The College of New Rochelle faculty in 1986. Currently an Associate Professor of Social Work, Dr. Gordon directs the accredited Baccalaureate Program in Social Work, chairs the Social Work Department, and has coordinated the Women’s Studies Program. 

Her long-term interest in community organizing, international social work, and the Latino community motivated Dr. Gordon to pursue a doctorate at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York; her dissertation focused on adjustment issues of Central American immigrants.  Dr. Gordon has been honored with two Fulbright Scholarships to Latin America.  She has arranged for guided visits for CNR students to Mexico to help them understand diverse cultures, as well as learn about local communities and service organizations. 

The School of Arts & Sciences, established in 1904, continues its tradition of enrolling only women. It offers undergraduate degrees in all traditional disciplines of liberal arts and sciences and a number of professional fields.  A core curriculum is required, and dual-degree programs, interdisciplinary studies, independent-study options and flexible honors programs are also offered.  SAS alumnae include: Mary O’Connor Donohue, lieutenant governor of the State of New York; Mercedes Ruehl, Academy- and Tony-Award winning actress; Anne Marie Sweeney, Co-chair, Disney Media Networks Unit and President, Disney-ABC Television Group; and Aulana Pharis Peters, the first African-American woman to serve as an SEC Commissioner.