Dr. Ethelyn R. Strong
Dr. Ethelyn R. Strong was the t innovator behind the school of social work.
Dr. Strong served as the founding dean of what is now the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at NSU.
She guided the program from its early development and helped establish social work as a recognized academic discipline at the university.
Under her leadership, social work became a formal major in 1960, marking a major milestone for NSU’s academic offerings.
At the time, NSU housed the only accredited social work program in Virginia, an achievement strongly tied to her efforts.
Dr. Strong was an advocate for graduate education at Norfolk State. She worked alongside university leadership to lobby before the Virginia General Assembly, contributing to the landmark 1972 legislation authorizing NSU to offer graduate programs. This advocacy laid the groundwork for the establishment of advanced degrees across the university.
Before joining NSU, Dr. Strong was the first African American child welfare worker and supervisor within the Norfolk Department of Social Services.
Her professional leadership in child welfare shaped her vision for social work education at NSU.
Even after retiring in 1983 and receiving Emerita Status, Dr. Strong remained active as a speaker and lecturer until her passing in 1986.
In honor of her contributions to the university and the social work program, Norfolk State officials named the social work program the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work.