With more than 40 years of social work education and practice experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed clinical and macro social worker, Dr. Chathapuram (Ram) Ramanathan brings an array of knowledge and expertise as the director and professor at Illinois State University’s School of Social Work. Most recently, he served with the University of West Florida’s social work program as the chair and as a faculty member. Prior to that, he was chief executive of Human Service Enterprises in Michigan. Ramanathan has written over 50 articles, book chapters, and four books.
“It is exciting to be part of Illinois State University as it has consistently engaged in innovation, creativity, and collaborative partnerships over the last 165 years,” Ramanathan said. “The faculty of social work and its alumni are engaged in important work contributing to the improvement of human condition in Central Illinois in particular, as well as across the state of Illinois, the nation, and across the globe in an interdependent world.”
The mission of the School of Social Work is to further social and economic justice, progressive social change with individual dignity and freedom. Founded on a global perspective with respect for human dignity, this mission emphasizes that we live in a pluralistic society undergoing dynamic change. The School of Social Work at Illinois State equips students with the tools to become successful social work practitioners, helping children and families, mental health clients, substance abusers, those in hospitals and hospice services and more. The school offers a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work. The BSW program prepares generalist social workers grounded in effective multi-level assessment, engagement, intervention, and evaluation of multiple systems in several fields of practices. The MSWs have opportunities to practice in a variety of social work settings such as in family and children services, school social work, and health care settings, to name a few.
Ramanathan has received many awards and honors, including a tribute from a Michigan legislator and governor in October 2008, which recognized him as an important Asian American leader. In 2021, he was awarded the Jim Billups International Social Development Leadership Award, by the International Consortium for Social Development, recognizing his commitment to peace, social justice, and inclusiveness. Ramanathan was awarded the Community Achievement Award for 2020-2021 by the University of Illinois School of Social Work Alumni Association. One of his co-authored articles was recognized as “The Best Article of the Year” by the National Human Rights Workers Association. In addition, Ramanathan has served on several agency boards, including the Salvation Army and American Citizens for Justice. He has earned multiple Fulbright Awards, including serving as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.
Ramanathan received his Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore University in Bangalore, India. He received his Master of Arts in social work (medical and psychiatric social work) from the Madras School of Social Work, University of Madras in Madras, India. Ramanathan also received his Master of Social Work (community mental health) and his interdisciplinary Doctor of Social Work and Human Resource Management at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.
“The social work program at Illinois State University has a lot of potential with opportunities for advancing social work education in the region, the state of Illinois and beyond,” Ramanathan said. “The department faculty and staff are dedicated to enhancing functional abilities of individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities within family and child welfare, school settings, medical, and behavioral settings. It is an honor to be affiliated with the faculty and staff of the School of Social Work, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Illinois State University and be able to contribute to its future.”
