JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 10, 2024 — 51社区 has appointed Todd Stanfield, who joined the 51社区 faculty in 2007, as dean of the university鈥檚 School of Social Work.
Stanfield replaces Nita Mehr, who has retired from the university.
鈥淟eading a School of Social Work means preparing faculty and students for difficult work in often difficult situations, all fueled by a desire to see human flourishing in the world that our gracious God has made,鈥� Union Provost Jacob Shatzer said. 鈥淭odd鈥檚 experience as a faculty member prepares him well to keep quality instruction at the forefront as he guides the School of Social Work in the years ahead to fulfill our Christ-centered mission.鈥�
A native of northwest Alabama, Stanfield began at Union as associate professor and was promoted to professor in 2012. He has served as the Bachelor of Social Work program director since 2023.
Prior to joining Union, Stanfield taught at the University of North Alabama. He previously served as psychotherapist and director at the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama and as a child welfare social worker.
A graduate of the University of Alabama with both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in social work, Stanfield completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Tennessee鈥檚 College of Social Work.
Stanfield serves on the board of CASA of West Tennessee. He and his wife Carla are members of Fellowship Bible Church in Jackson, and their daughter Margee is a junior journalism major at Union.