SSW’s Renner receives 2020 President’s Award for Outstanding Service

Lynette M. Renner, associate professor in the School of Social Work, received the 2020 University of Minnesota President’s Award for Outstanding Service this month.

Renner was honored for the depth and quality of service she provides to the School of Social Work, the College of Education and Human Development, the University, and the State of Minnesota.

Joseph Merighi, associate professor in the School of Social Work, nominated Renner for the award because “she has an unwavering standard of excellence and serves the University and the State of Minnesota with aplomb.”

At the state level, Renner was appointed to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Crime Victims Reparations Board in April 2016, becoming chair in September 2019. The five-member board meets monthly to review documents and hear from victims of crime to determine the outcome of their reparations claims.

Renner’s community outreach activities include providing trainings on intimate partner violence and providing consultation to local organizations. For example, each year, she provides a 60-minute training to the University of Minnesota Dental Clinic’s new residents on how to screen patients for intimate partner violence and how to respond to any disclosures. She also consults on program evaluation efforts with staff from Iowa Legal Aid, and the Domestic Abuse Project, a Minneapolis-based organization that focuses on advocacy and therapy services for families affected by intimate partner violence.

At the Universitylevel, Renner serves as chair for the two central judiciary bodies that hear cases involving violations of the University’s Student Conduct Code.

In 2016, she was asked to serve as one of two chairs for the newly formed Student Sexual Misconduct Subcommittee. This service involves a substantial investment of time and energy on her part. Each hearing takes 8 to 12 hours (with an additional 2 to 8 hours for pre- and post-hearing efforts) and Renner presides over 6-8 hearings each academic year. She is undaunted by the hours the committee work requires because she strongly believes that the adherence to Student Conduct Code is crucial and that all students should receive fair and balanced treatment in the hearing process.

Renner also has served on the University’s Campus Committee on Student Behavior since 2015 and became chair in 2018, presiding over 7-9 hearings each academic year. The committee deliberates student conduct code violations that are outside of sexual misconduct, including scholastic dishonesty, disorderly conduct, theft, vandalism, hazing, and disruption of the academic environment. The committee also requires a substantial time commitment, and benefits from Renner’s competence and expertise.

As a faculty member, Renner has served on the University’s Grant-In-Aid review committee, CEHD Consultative Committee, CEHD Global Initiatives Grants Review Committee, multiple faculty search committees, and many School of Social Work committees. During the 2018-19 academic year, she served as the interim director of the school’s PhD program while the long-standing director was on sabbatical. In fall 2019, she was appointed as the School of Social Work’s director of research.

“I engage in service to the University, the state, and the profession of social work because I believe these efforts are instrumental in effecting positive social change and  strengthening communities,” Renner said. “Through my varied service activities, I am fortunate to collaborate with many dedicated and talented professionals, and I share this recognition with all of them.”