Seton Hall Faculty Member Mary Landriau Named Social Work Practicum Director of the Year

Mary Landriau, MSW, LCSW, practicum director for the Undergraduate Social Work Program at Seton Hall University, has been selected as the 2026 Practicum Director of the Year by the Baccalaureate Program Directors Association (BPD), a national organization representing 548 accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs across the United States.

The prestigious award recognizes practicum directors whose leadership, innovation and commitment to student learning strengthen the preparation of future social workers nationwide. Recipients are selected based on their impact on students, faculty, community agencies and the broader profession.
In a letter announcing the award, the BPD Board of Directors praised Landriau for exemplifying “the highest standards of excellence in social work education,” noting that her work has a “meaningful and lasting impact on students, colleagues and the communities” served.

As Practicum Director, Landriau oversees the professional training and placement of BSW students across community agencies, schools, hospitals and nonprofit organizations. Her work ensures that students receive high-quality, ethically grounded and trauma-informed practicum experiences that integrate classroom learning with real-world social work practice.

“Mary provides exemplary leadership within social work education through a vision that strengthens generalist social work practice,” said Dawn Apgar, Ph.D., director of Seton Hall’s BSW Program. “She brings together curriculum design, professional mentorship, community partnership and practicum oversight in a way that truly prepares students for the realities of today’s social work environments.”

Beyond campus, Landriau’s reputation has made Seton Hall a sought-after partner among community agencies. “Unlike many programs that struggle to secure placements, Mary has more agencies requesting partnerships than we have students,” Dawn Apgar noted. “That speaks to the trust she has built and the quality of preparation she brings to practicum education.”

“Her leadership reflects the belief that practicum is not an add-on, but the signature pedagogy of social work,” Dawn Apgar added.

Landriau will be formally honored at the BPD Awards Luncheon on February 28, 2026, in New Orleans, LA, where colleagues from across the country will gather to celebrate her achievements and leadership.

Seton Hall University proudly congratulates Mary Landriau on this well-deserved national recognition and thanks her for her extraordinary contributions to practicum education, student success and the future of the social work profession.

Categories: Education, Nation and World