Professor of Social Work Associate Dean for Innovation & Academic Success, School of Education, Health & Human
Services
Dr. Janet K. Acker, Ph.D., M.Div., LCSW-R, is an educator, clinician and administrator
with over three decades of experience spanning social work, academia and non-profit
management.
Dr. Acker’s career encompasses teaching at all levels of social work education, developing
innovative social work curricula and directing successful accreditation efforts. As
an accomplished leader, Dr. Acker has directed strategic initiatives, program development
and community engagement.
In her clinical practice, Dr. Acker has provided mental health services and supervisory
consultation to organizations serving diverse populations.
Through her multifaceted roles, Dr. Acker remains dedicated to collaborative and servant
leadership, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting inclusive and innovative
education, and advancing the social work profession.
Acker, J. & Warner, L. (2020) Let’s talk about depression: social workers’ use of chemical
imbalance explanations, Social Work in Mental Health, 18:3, 237-256, DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2019.1700872
Kaye, L., Warner, L., Lewandowski, C., Greene, R., Acker, J., & Chiarella, N. (2009) The role of nurse practitioners in meeting the need for child
and adolescent psychiatric services: a state-wide survey. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, Vol. 47, No. 3
Kaye, L., Lewandowski, C., Greene, R., Acker, J., Chiarella, N. Assessing and Addressing the Need for Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists
in New York State: Report on a County Wide Telephone Survey. 2008 The Center for Human
Services Research, University at Albany
“Factors that Influence Clinician Confidence in Treatment of Depression: A Factorial
Survey”. M. Murphy, & J. Acker. Anxiety and Depression Association of America Annual Conference, Las Vegas Nevada
April 2025
“Prognostic judgments and the female depression disparity: Examining the influence
of life stressors”. M. Murphy, & J. Acker. Anxiety and Depression Association of America Annual Conference, Las Vegas Nevada
April 2025
Episode 10: A Beautiful Sadness. The Dear Neighbor Podcast. J. Horgan, J. Acker, C. Lingertat, T. Murphy, E. Pinkerton, E Richards. The College of Saint Rose. March
2024
“Building Inclusive Social Supports for non-traditional, part-time, distance, and
online MSW students.” T. Weldon & J. Acker. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. November 2020
“A Home for the Dying: A PhotoVoice Research Initiative”, A. Neveu & J. Acker. NYS Social Work Educators Association, Annual Conference, Saratoga, NY. October 2018 Creating Safe Spaces for Diverse Voices, Provisions, The College of Saint Rose. March
2018
“Promoting Self-Determination in Mental Health — Helping Clients Critically Assess
the Benefits and Risks of Medication”, University at Albany, SUNY. March 2016
“Practice Setting Safety: Students, Field Agencies and Social Work Field Education
Partnership”. J. Acker & T. Ciarfella. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. October
2014
“When Helping Hurts: Social Justice and Psychiatric Medications”, J. Acker & D. Reyome. Social Justice Week, The College of Saint Rose. April 2013