Carmen Nazario to Give SSW Commencement Address

School of Social Work Dean Gail Steketee has announced that Carmen Nazario, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department of Health and Human Services, will be the keynote speaker at the School of Social Work Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 14.

Nominated by President Barack Obama in May 2009, Nazario was confirmed under Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in November 2009. She is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.

A Puerto Rico native, Nazario served as administrator of Puerto Rico’s Administration for Children and Families and deputy secretary for the Puerto Rico Department of Social Services, where she successfully directed disaster recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Hugo.

During the Clinton administration, she served as the associate commissioner for childcare in the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Children, Youth and Families and the principal deputy assistant secretary at ACF, where she was responsible for policy management of over 60 programs that addressed the needs of children and families.

As Director of Virginia’s Social Services department, her programs to reduce foster-care services and teen pregnancy earned her state and national recognition. Nazario was also honored with the state meritorious service award for her leadership in the implementation of repatriation efforts during Operation Desert Storm.

From 1993 to 1997, she served as Secretary of Health and Social Services for the State of Delaware. Her achievements there included overseeing welfare reform and Medicaid managed care, creating a new Division of Aging and Services for the disabled, and management improvements in community-based and residential services to people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Throughout her career, Nazario held various national and academic leadership roles. As an assistant professor at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Nazario taught social policy and coordinated the Social Work Practicum at the university’s School of Social Work. She has also served advice President of the Board of Directors of the American Public Welfare Association, President of the National Council of Local Public Welfare Administrators, and Secretary of the National Council of State Human Service Administrators.

The School of Social Work Commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 14 at 4:00 pm at the Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center (915 Commonwealth Ave.).

More information on commencement at Boston University.