Julia M. Watkins, PhD
Council on Social Work Education

Dr. 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.

Dr. Watkins received an MSW and a Ph.D. 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.

Dr. Watkins has numerous publications and 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, Dr. Watkins has an extensive record of university service and has served on the boards of many non-profit 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. Dr. 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 Board of New Symphony Orchestra, Sofia.

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