Biography
Dr. Phyllis Scott joined Barry University as an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work in 2001. In 2004, she became the Master of Social Work Program Director, followed by the Associate Dean in 2008, and in 2011 became the Dean of the School of Social Work. Retiring from that role in June 2021, Dr. Scott accepted the appointment of Director of the Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Consortium. Prior to joining Barry University, Dr. Scott gained more than twenty-five years of administrative experience, having held leadership positions in both county and state government. Her experiences, providing administrative oversight of four multi-purpose centers located in marginalized communities, Youth Services Programs, Medical Examiner’s office, Fire Rescue, Veterans and Elderly Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services, Prison Release Programs, Gang Prevention Program, Juvenile Alternative Services and Restitution Program, Homeless Services, primary health, Child Care Licensing, Child Welfare, and Adult Protective Services introduced her to the lives of the most vulnerable. These experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to human rights and social justice. While Dean, she established the Barry University School of Social Work Center for Human Rights and Social Justice. The Center is designed to address social issues such as human trafficking, community wellness, sexual assault prevention, inclusive communities LGBQTA+, and trauma-responsive intervention training. It has since expanded to include restorative justice and mindfulness, and has established itself as a resource and informational hub for human trafficking.
Her work, over the years, earned her the NAMI Times Award, Children’s Harbor Governmental Dream Builder Award, Kathleen Wright Award-Broward County School Board, Federated Women’s Club Honoree of the Year Award, the Broward County Coordinating Council Service Award, Broward Workforce Development Board Service Award, Proclamations from the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the Broward County Board of County Commission, NASW Social Worker of the Year Award (Broward Chapter), Service Appreciation Award- Miami-Dade Department of Human Services, Recognition Award-Miami Dade Public Health Trust, an Award of Merit from the Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers, Inc., Recognition Award from the Soul of a Woman Maternity Center, Educator of the Year Award, Community Pillar Award, the NASW-Miami-Dade Chapter 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, and the African Diaspora Award. She has presented at peer-reviewed conferences, written and was awarded several grants, and delivered keynote and panel presentations on issues of social justice.