Bellamy Appointed as Distinguished Professor of Shanti K. Khinduka
Jennifer Bellamy Installed as Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professor at the Brown School
On October 8, 2025, Jennifer Bellamy, a prominent figure in the field of social work, was formally installed as the Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professor at the Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. The installation ceremony took place in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum, marking a significant milestone in her academic career.
Professor Bellamy brings to this prestigious role a wealth of knowledge and experience in diverse areas of social work, particularly in father engagement, child maltreatment prevention, and child welfare. Over the years, she has developed a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues through her clinical work and research initiatives. Notably, Bellamy has played a vital role in the Texas Fragile Families Initiative, a multisite project aimed at supporting young, unmarried fathers in low-income situations. Her innovative approach underscores her commitment to enhancing family dynamics and strengthening social support systems for at-risk populations.
Currently, Bellamy’s work centers on the engagement of fathers in child and family services, where she implements family-level and systemic interventions designed to improve outcomes for children and families. Among her noteworthy contributions are the co-development of the Dads Matter-HV intervention, which has gained recognition from the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare, and the Nurturing Dads and Partners program, aimed at promoting effective fatherhood.
Bellamy’s academic credentials are further bolstered by her induction into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, an acknowledgment of her significant contributions to the field.
The Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professorship was established in 2003 through a generous donation from Roma Broida Wittcoff to honor Shanti K. Khinduka, the former Dean of the Brown School. Khinduka’s tenure from 1974 to 2004 was marked by transformative initiatives that advanced interdisciplinary collaboration and international research within the school’s curriculum. Under his leadership, the Brown School witnessed the creation of 12 endowed professorships, over 200 scholarships, and a substantial endowment exceeding 0 million, all of which have greatly enhanced the institution’s academic standing.
Wittcoff’s contributions to Washington University extend beyond this professorship; she has been a steadfast supporter of various educational initiatives, exemplifying a commitment to enriching the academic community. An alumna of WashU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1945, Wittcoff has also served on multiple councils and committees, cementing her legacy within the university.
As Bellamy embarks on this new chapter, her installation as the Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professor reflects not only her personal academic achievements but also the ongoing evolution of the Brown School’s mission to foster innovative scholarship that addresses pressing social issues.
