2-minute read | Posted on June 26, 2026 |Posted in: Faculty

Congratulations to Dr. Susan Yoon, Dr. Joyce Lee, Dr. Smitha Rao and Dr. Gia Barboza-Salerno for their recent promotions, as approved by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees!

Yoon has been approved for promotion to Professor, and Lee, Rao and Barboza-Salerno have all been approved for promotion to Associate Professor with tenure. These faculty members will transition to their new respective positions in Autumn Semester.

“I am filled with pride to congratulate Drs. Susan Yoon, Joyce Lee, Smitha Rao and Gia Barboza-Salerno for this incredible career accomplishment,” notes Dean Jenkins. “These promotions not only acknowledge their dedication to the social work field but highlight their invaluable contributions to our communities in Columbus, Ohio, and beyond. We are honored to have each of you as part of OSU College of Social Work team.”

Promotions and reappointments recognize these faculty members’ excellence in the areas of teaching, research and creative accomplishments and service.

In August, the College of Social Work will acknowledge these accomplishments at the CSW Celebration. Newly tenured faculty are also invited by the university to select a book or eBook to be book-plated with their name and added to the University Libraries’ holdings.

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Barboza-Salerno, Gia, PhD

Dr. Gia Elise Barboza-Salerno is an assistant professor in the Colleges of Social Work and Public Health. Dr. Barboza-Salerno’s scholarship focuses on the manifestation of violence across the lifespan from childhood to old age.
A smiling woman with dark hair tied back wears a blue jacket and stands in front of a blurred bookshelf background.

Yoon, Susan, PhD

Dr. Susan Yoon’s research seeks to promote resilience and well-being in children who have experienced childhood trauma, including child maltreatment.Dr. Susan Yoon’s research seeks to promote resilience and well-being in children who have experienced childhood trauma, including child maltreatment.
A smiling woman with dark, shoulder-length hair wears a dark pink top and a pearl necklace in a blurred park setting.

Lee, Joyce, PhD

Joyce Y. Lee, PhD, MS, MSW, LCSW, is an Associate Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, where she is the Director of the Child and Family Wellbeing Laboratory. Dr. Lee identifies as a child welfare and family strengthening scholar.
Smitha Rao speaking into a microphone on a panel discussion.

Rao, Smitha, PhD

Dr. Smitha Rao’s work at the intersection of environment, development, and social policy is informed by her interdisciplinary background in social work and human geography.

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