Ginsberg Director Mary Jo Callan to Carry On the Work of Social Justice at Brown University

As some of you may already know, the Ginsberg Center’s director, Mary Jo Callan, has accepted an exciting opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Swearer Center for Public Service and Associate Dean for Engaged Scholarship at Brown University. While we are, of course, saddened to lose Mary Jo, we are excited by the work she’ll do to further social justice and equity in her new position.

During her nearly six years at Ginsberg, Mary Jo collaborated with colleagues and stakeholders to lead the center to broaden our reach and positive impacts for students, faculty and staff, and community partners. 

“It’s a testament to the Ginsberg Center’s impact—and Mary Jo’s role in that—that Brown is eager to bring her on board,” says Nick Tobier, Edward Ginsberg Senior Counsel to the Provost on Civic Engagement. “Mary Jo embraced her role here as a partner on campus and in the community. It has been a real gift to all of us that she has been so willing and able to share her skills and abilities in our work. Ginsberg has advanced tremendously under her leadership and we’re excited for this next chapter.”

Mary Jo’s tenure at Ginsberg ends May 5. While a search committee looks for a permanent director, current Associate Directors Dave Waterhouse and Neeraja Aravamudan will serve as interim Co-Directors. 

Interim Associate Vice President for Student Life Jennifer Schrage shared that “This impressive opportunity is a perfect fit for Mary Jo as she will be leading initiatives that integrate teaching, learning, and practice in order to advance scholarship that produces a public benefit.”

I’m excited to take the lessons about partnership, commitment, and leading with love I have learned at the Ginsberg Center and in this incredible community to my work in Rhode Island. I leave knowing that the Ginsberg Center will continue its important work to engage community partners, students, and campus colleagues in socially just change

-- Mary Jo Callan

The Ginsberg Center wishes Mary Jo the best in her new position, with gratitude for the contributions she has made in expanding and deepening our work. Catalyzing student learning, creating strong institutional partnerships, emphasizing civic engagement, and working towards social justice has always been our purpose and we will continue to strengthen and further our efforts and capacity moving forward.