Executive Director's Biography

Julia M. Watkins 

Julia M. Watkins became the executive director of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), July 1, 2003. Previously, she served for 10 years as the President of the American University in Bulgaria. Watkins received an MSW and a PhD in educational psychology from the University of Utah. Before her tenure at the American University in Bulgaria, she was a professor of social work, dean of the college of social and behavioral sciences, and interim vice president for academic affairs at the University of Maine. She has been a fellow of the American Council on Education and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. 

Watkins has given numerous presentations, including a book on social policy, as well as research and training grants in the field of gerontology, social policy, and interdisciplinary training for health care professionals. In addition, Watkins has an extensive record of university service and has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including most recently, the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Foundation for Local Government Reform, the Rector’s Council and Rotary International in Bulgaria. Watkins served as president of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities from 1998-2000, and as president of the Alliance of Universities for Democracy (2000-2002). She was elected as a life-time honorary member of the New Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Board of Directors. She is currently the treasurer of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (June 2010–June 2014).

During her tenure at the University of Maine, Watkins developed the BASW program and laid the ground work for establishing the MSW program.