Widener University Names Paula Silver Dean of School of Human Service Professions

Chester, Pa. – Widener University announces the appointment of Paula T. Silver of Radnor, Pa. as dean of the School of Human Service Professions. Silver has served as acting dean of the school since July 2011, replacing Stephen C. Wilhite who currently serves as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.

Silver assumes leadership of one of the university’s largest schools, hosting 1,219 undergraduate and graduate students and 60 faculty in the Center for Education, Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Center for Social Work Education and the Institute for Physical Therapy Education.

Previously, Silver served as director of the Center for Social Work Education for 14 years. She presided over a period of major expansion in enrollment in the Master of Social Work program, and successfully guided the social work faculty in its development of the university’s first Ph.D. program. She joined Widener as an assistant professor of social work in 1992.

“Dean Silver is recognized nationally as an innovative leader in social work education and was one of the earliest advocates for Widener’s current civic engagement mission,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “She has distinguished herself on campus as a collegial academic administrator who is committed to promoting interdisciplinary programming and expanded educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students.”

Silver served on the planning committee for Vision 2015, the university’s current strategic plan, and has been a lead coordinator of the university’s partnership with Chongqing Technology and Business University in Chongqing, China. She currently serves as chair of the Widener Partnership Charter School board of trustees, and as member of the Chester Education Foundation board of directors.

Silver received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Chicago, a master of social work from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctor of philosophy in social work from Bryn Mawr College.