Cynthia Lietz

Cynthia A. Lietz is the Dean of the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions and Vice Provost of the Downtown Phoenix Campus at Arizona State University. She holds the rank of President's Professor in the School of Social Work. Her research focuses on family resilience, strengths-based supervision, and evidence-based social work practices. Lietz pioneered the Strengths-Based Supervision (SBS) model, adopted widely in child welfare systems, and founded ASU’s Bridging Success program for foster care alumni. She has received the Centennial Professor Award (2013) and was named President's Professor (2021). Her work bridges research, teaching, and community engagement, emphasizing practical applications of social work theories.

Education:

• Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2004
• M.S.W., University of Illinois-Chicago, 1993
• B.A., Valparaiso University, 1991

Research Interests: Lietz’s work examines how families cope with adversity, particularly through resilience frameworks. She investigates strengths-based approaches to clinical supervision and leadership in child welfare systems. Recent studies include fostering resilience in foster care alumni and evaluating mental health recovery processes.

Awards:

• Centennial Professor Award (2013)
• President's Professor (2021)

Advising & Grants: Lietz has mentored numerous doctoral students and postdocs, including chairs for dissertations and honors theses. Her grants focus on child welfare workforce development and foster care support programs. She serves on boards for organizations like the Morrison Institute and Fresh Start Women’s Foundation.

Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives such as the Watts College’s Downtown Phoenix campus integration and collaborates with national child welfare training institutes.