Dr. Joan Wallace joined the School of Social Work in 1999 after having a varied career in social work, higher education and government. After receiving her MSSW from Columbia University School of Social Work, Dr. Wallace obtained her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Northwestern University. She has served on the faculty of the University of Illinois in Chicago at Jane Addams School of Social Work as Assistant Professor of Social Work and Associate Professor of Social Work and Psychology. She continued her academic career at Howard University School of Social Work as Professor and Associate and Acting Dean. Dr Wallace later became Vice President for Administration at Morgan State University and taught social work administration and supervision there.
During the Carter Administration, she was appointed Assistant Secretary for Administration at the United States Department of Agriculture. She set policy for 120.000 employees in the area of management, safety, personnel, administrative law, contract appeals, administrative services, finance, data services and equal opportunity. Two Howard University students completed their administrative placement, setting up the employees assistance program under her leadership. Continuing into the Reagan administration, she assumed the responsibility for International Cooperation and Development and was responsible for international training, technical assistance, US relations with international organizations, scientific and technical exchanges, international research and the private sector initiatives in the Caribbean. Dr. Wallace has extensive experience in this area having visited projects and programs, led delegations, or negotiated with officials in 52 countries.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is represented throughout the Americas. After having represented the US on the Board of Directors, Dr. Wallace agreed to serve in the diplomatic position of Representative to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. While in the post, she also served as a field instructor for the University of the West Indies.
After she left government, Dr. Wallace established and managed a non-profit organization concerned with US policy’s impact on African Democracy. She took many delegations to African countries to monitor elections there. She has spoken world wide on issues of Human rights and Democracy.
Returning home to Social Work Education, as a recycled professor, her interests are, international social work, supervision , administration, gerontology and diversity.
Florida International University
School of Social Work University Park, ECS 459A
Miami, Florida 33199
Tel: (305) 348-5880
Fax: (305) 348-5313
E-mail: wallace@fiu.edu