An Alaska social worker and associate professor at University of Alaska, Anchorage, is the president-elect of the National Association of Social Workers.
The association, known as NASW, announced last week that Dr. Yvonne Chase will begin her three-year term July 1, 2023, and will succeed Mildred Joyner.
“I am honored and humbled to be the president-elect of NASW and I promise you three things — respect, integrity and service,” Chase said in the release.
Chase also vowed to keep the association dedicated to social justice issues and advocate for innovations for the social work profession.
Born and raised in Michigan, Chase lived in Washington, D.C, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco prior to her now 30-year stay in Alaska. where her various positions in social work included president of the NASW Alaska Chapter. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Howard University and a doctorate from Norfolk State University.
Chase’s professional interests include ethics in social work and child welfare, and she currently serves as project coordinator for an effort funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration that allowed master’s and doctorate-level students to “expand the number of graduate behavioral health professionals within Alaska,” according to the release. She is also a Social Work Pioneer — social workers that NASW says “have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers” — and a member of the association for over three decades.
The National Association of Social Workers is based in Washington, D.C., and develops, protects and promotes social work and workers to improve the quality of life for communities, families and individuals through advocacy.
“I have seen many changes in our society over the years and seen this association becoming stronger and more progressive,” Chase said. “NASW has influence and responsibilities and during my presidency I will work hard to ensure this association continues to have a seat at the table in setting policies that benefit the profession and the clients we serve at the local, state and federal level.”