Phyllis Caroff (left) and Rose Starr (right)
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rose Starr and Phyllis Caroff, two beloved professors at Silberman School of Social Work. Their unwavering dedication to education, their compassionate mentorship, and their profound impact on countless students and colleagues will be remembered fondly. Phyllis and Rose’s contributions to the field of Social Work will continue to inspire and guide us for years to come.
Dr. Rose Starr
Dr. Rose Starr, was a professor at Hunter College School of Social Work from 1987 to 2001. Afterwards she went on to become president of the NYC Chapter of NASW from 2006 to 2008. Prior to becoming chapter president, Dr. Starr gave strategic leadership to, and organized with, chapter staff to block the NYC Board of Education from eliminating school social workers from Special Education. As a result of this work, a federal court judge ordered a 30 % increase in the number of social workers.
Subsequently, Dr. Starr wrote a grant proposal on behalf of NASW-NYC to develop a model graduate school curriculum for social workers in schools, and it was funded for several years by the U.S. Department of Education. Working with a task force of representatives from numerous graduate schools of social work, a model curriculum was developed, disseminated nationally, and adopted by many schools.
Former NYC chapter executive director, Bob Schachter, reflecting on all of the annual elections for the Board of Directors since the early 1980s, said that Rose Starr garnered more votes the first time she ran for the Board than anyone else during that extensive time. He said it was not even close, with perhaps one or two exceptions.
Dr. Starr received her BA from Bryn Mawr College, her MSW from Columbia University and her DSW from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She was subsequently a professor at the Hunter College School of Social Work for many years (now the Silberman School of Social Work) where she taught community organization and social policy.
Dr. Phyllis Caroff
Phyllis Marcel Friedman Caroff passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of February 18, 2025. She was born February 22, 1924 in Newark, NJ to Harry and Irene Friedman. She is survived by Joseph Caroff, her loving husband of 81 years; sons Michael and Peter; daughters-in-law Ruth and Cynthia; and granddaughter Jennifer. Phyllis earned many degrees and memberships during her professional career, including her PhD and Doctor of Social Welfare from Columbia University in 1969; acceptance into the New York State Society of Clinical Social Work Psychotherapists in 1977; distinguished Practitioner and Member of the National Academy of Practice in Social Work in 1983; recognition by the National Association of Social Workers in Washington, D.C. in 1987; and bronze Member of the Founders Guild of Phi Beta Kappa in 2018. She also served as a board member of Planned Parenthood.She was a founding faculty member at Hunter College School of Social Work where she taught for over 30 years. She lectured and published widely on topics of clinical social work and social work in health care. She established the post-masters program in clinical social work at Hunter College and directed it for many years. She was a talented psychotherapist and practiced until the age of 90. She was a wonderful friend, mentor, and colleague to many students and faculty members. She was dearly loved by her family and friends, and will always be remembered for her wisdom, courage, kindness, and generosity. Rest in Peace Phyllis