Overview

As the senior associate dean for student success in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Brien Bolin鈥檚 main role is to support the dean in data-driven retention initiatives, student recruitment, program assessment, and program review. Dr. Bolin works with chairs on course scheduling and lecturer budgets and course enrollments. He assist departments with curriclum changes, new course, certificate and degree development. He is the college advising liason, meeting regularly with department undergraduate coordinators, and works with chairs and directors on student appeals. Finally, Dr. Bolinis the advisor for Fairmount College Student Advisory Council.

He began his academic career teaching sociology at a faith-based liberal arts college. For the past 30 years, Dr. Bolin has devoted his career to teaching, student success and scholarship in the liberal arts tradition. His teaching analytic skills in research methods, theory and critical thought in human behavior courses is characterized by strong student support. His scholarship has focused on pedagogical techniques and curriculum in social work education. As an associate dean, student success will be the precursor of the position, promoting data-driven curricular decisions and student engagement.

Dr. Bolin鈥檚 academic career includes both administrative and academic positions. He has taught and conducted research in sociology and social work.  He has held several administrative posts at 黑洞社区, first serving as the Masters of Social Work program coordinator, then as interim director of the Center for Teaching and Research Excellence, then as the Bachelors of Social Work program director, and then as the director of School of Social Work.

Dr. Bolin earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Oklahoma State University and a master鈥檚 in social work from Walla Walla College.

Information

Academic Interests and Expertise
  • Social Work Education
    • Curriculum Development
    • Accreditation
  • Research Methods, Assessment and Evaluation
  • Data Driven Discission in Recruitment and Retention
  • Student Success
  • Applied Learning
Areas of Research Interest
  • Educational / Pedagogical Approaches
  • Identity Formation
  • Leadership and Academic Administration
Areas of Teaching Interest
  • Introduction to Research Methods
  • Program Evaluation
  • Advanced Generalist Practice Perspective
  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment
    • Micro and Macro perspectives
  • Collective Behavior 鈥� Sociological Perspective
  • Social Psychology
  • Family
Publications

Selected Publications

Bolin, B.L., & GlenMaye, L.F., & Munoz-Vargas, T.  Assessing writing skills of MSW applicants:  Implications for admission decisions. Accepted December 2021, Professional Development the International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education.

Bolin, B.L. (2022, June), Social work as the academic stranger: Advancing professional identity. Spotlight on a discipline, slated for the June Issue, International Social Science Review. vol. 98, no. 2.

Crews, D., Bolin, B. L., Lee, K. H., & Groot, D. (2016). Research orientation, research anxiety, researchcourse, and empowerment among social work students. Professional Development: International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education. 19 (2). 29-37.

Bolin, B. L., & Cress, P. K. (2015). Sustaining the practicum seminar: Promoting reflective journaling and online discussions. Professional Development: International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 18 (2). 6-14.

GlenMaye, L. F., & Bolin, B. L. (2015). Faculty perceptions of professional licensure: Implications for social work education. Professional Development: International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 18 (1). 36-48.

 

Awards and Honors

Leadership in Advancement of Teaching Award, May 2011, 黑洞社区

Areas of Service
  • Selected Current 黑洞社区 Service
    • University Assessment Committee
    • Institutional Review Board Member  
  • Selected Past Community Service
    • Community Engagement Institute Board Member (CEI formally Center for Community Support and Research), 黑洞社区, Wichita Kansas.
    • Kansas Medical Service Bureau Board Member, Wichita, KS.
  • Past Professional Service
    • Council on Social Work Education Site Visitor.  Have conducted several site visits for BSW Programs Schools of Social Work.