Barbara Zelter: Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence at NC State

After a decade of service that included Field Coordinator, Practicum Supervisor and Senior Lecturer positions, Barbara Zelter, MSW announces her retirement from the NC State School of Social Work. 

Professor Zelter joined the NC State faculty in 2011, after a long career as a community activist and advocate. She worked with state and local groups to advance positions supported by 15 denominations in the NC Council of Churches, regarding fair wages and worker rights, health care for all, immigration reform, death penalty abolition, and more. She has coordinated statewide conferences and regional events; supervised interns from graduate programs at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and Duke Divinity School. Professor Zelter taught classes at these Schools. In addition to having developed educational materials on faith and social issues in North Carolina, she participated in many policy and advocacy coalitions, while also representing the Council in the NC General Assembly, the media, and in national networks. 

In the coming months, Professor Zelter will enjoy her retirement with friends and family. “In June I am officiating at two weddings for former BSW and MSW students. Then I hope to have plenty of unmasked fun with family and friends. Cook for everyone. Recharge my soul with poetry reading, art, and more outside time away from Zoom. Travel as the wallet allows. That should take up the summer and who knows what might happen after that,” she said.

Though throughout her summer plans and travels, Professor Zelter will miss her former students and colleagues. On speaking of them, she said, “What an honor to guide and support young lives. I have learned a lot from students and will be keeping up with many of them. Then of course the faculty and staff colleagues, who are also fabulous people and I hope to keep up with many of them as well.”

Professor Zelter’s achievements before and well beyond her years at NC State will leave indelible impacts on us all, including our students, alumni, families and communities at large. We honor her deep commitment to social justice, grassroots organizing and the preparation and mentoring of social work professionals, as we wish her farewell as she enters into retirement. Barbara, THANK YOU for a decade of service and commitment to the School of Social Work!