Appointed acting dean of the School of Applied Social Sciences in 1973-74 (now the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel of Applied Social Sciences), Ruby B. Pernell was the first African-American woman dean at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. She came to the university as the Grace Longwell Coyle Professor in Social Work in 1968; she continued to serve in an emerita professor role from 1982 until her death in 2001.
At ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, her contributions included the introduction of curriculum in management of human services, planning for undergraduate social work programs and membership on the Afro-American Studies Program Advisory Committee.
During her career, Pernell became a recognized scholar in social group work, international social welfare and other topics. She contributed her knowledge in social policy through work with countries such as India, Sudan, Egypt and Jamaica.
She held consulting roles with government agencies and served on the boards of several community organizations.
Pernell also was a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups.
