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ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) proudly announces the appointment of Collina D. Cooke, PhD, LCSW-C, as Executive Director of Accreditation. In this new role, Dr. Cooke will oversee accreditation operations for more than 900 baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorate social work degree programs across the United States and its territories.
Dr. Cooke previously served as Director of CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), where she has provided critical support to master’s and doctoral students in social work since 2023. In this role, she has advanced mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy for emerging social work professionals who are passionate about meeting the mental health and/or substance use disorder needs of underserved communities.
When Dr. Cooke transitions to Accreditation in October, Carl Algood, PhD, MSW, will serve as Interim Director of MFP. Dr. Algood, currently Senior Program Specialist and CSWE’s liaison to the American Psychological Association’s Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP), has more than 20 years of experience in clinical and administrative social work and has taught, mentored, and advised students at several universities.
“Dr. Cooke brings exceptional expertise and a deep commitment to equity in social work education,” said Dr. Halaevalu F. Vakalahi, President and CEO of CSWE. “Her leadership will ensure that our accreditation operations continue to uphold the highest standards while also promoting access, representation, and student success. I am delighted to see her leverage her gifts in this new role.”
Prior to joining CSWE, Dr. Cooke spent more than a decade as a social worker in the Albany, NY area, with expertise in program management, grant writing, qualitative research, and data administration. She mentored underrepresented students, served as a counselor and case manager for injured workers, and advocated for individuals navigating substance use and mental health disorders.
“I am honored to step into this new role at such a pivotal time for social work education,” said Dr. Cooke. “Accreditation is the foundation of excellence in the social work profession. I look forward to working with colleagues and institutions across the country to ensure that social work programs continue to prepare graduates who are ready to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Cooke is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Social Work from the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). She is a licensed clinical social worker in New York state and Virginia and a licensed certified social worker-clinical in Maryland.
Founded in 1952, CSWE is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 900 accredited baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorate degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students, and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers are empowered to play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.
For more information about the Council on Social Work Education and its mission, please visit www.cswe.org.
Published on : October 6, 2025
CSWE Names Dr. Collina D. Cooke as New Executive Director of Accreditation
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) proudly announces the appointment of Collina D. Cooke, PhD, LCSW-C, as Executive Director of Accreditation. In this new role, Dr. Cooke will oversee accreditation operations for more than 900 baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorate social work degree programs across the United States and its territories.Dr. Cooke previously served as Director of CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), where she has provided critical support to master’s and doctoral students in social work since 2023. In this role, she has advanced mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy for emerging social work professionals who are passionate about meeting the mental health and/or substance use disorder needs of underserved communities.
When Dr. Cooke transitions to Accreditation in October, Carl Algood, PhD, MSW, will serve as Interim Director of MFP. Dr. Algood, currently Senior Program Specialist and CSWE’s liaison to the American Psychological Association’s Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP), has more than 20 years of experience in clinical and administrative social work and has taught, mentored, and advised students at several universities.
“Dr. Cooke brings exceptional expertise and a deep commitment to equity in social work education,” said Dr. Halaevalu F. Vakalahi, President and CEO of CSWE. “Her leadership will ensure that our accreditation operations continue to uphold the highest standards while also promoting access, representation, and student success. I am delighted to see her leverage her gifts in this new role.”
Prior to joining CSWE, Dr. Cooke spent more than a decade as a social worker in the Albany, NY area, with expertise in program management, grant writing, qualitative research, and data administration. She mentored underrepresented students, served as a counselor and case manager for injured workers, and advocated for individuals navigating substance use and mental health disorders.
“I am honored to step into this new role at such a pivotal time for social work education,” said Dr. Cooke. “Accreditation is the foundation of excellence in the social work profession. I look forward to working with colleagues and institutions across the country to ensure that social work programs continue to prepare graduates who are ready to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Cooke is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Social Work from the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). She is a licensed clinical social worker in New York state and Virginia and a licensed certified social worker-clinical in Maryland.
Founded in 1952, CSWE is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 900 accredited baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorate degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students, and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers are empowered to play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.
For more information about the Council on Social Work Education and its mission, please visit www.cswe.org.