Leslie E. Tower, an associate professor of social work at West Virginia University, was named co-chair of the Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education of the Council on Social Work Education. The Council works to eliminate all barriers and procedures that tend to hinder the full participation of women in higher education.
At West Virginia University, Dr. Tower was instrumental in the establishment of the Lactation Network, where employees volunteered their offices so breastfeeding women could have a private space in the workplace. Later a Lactation Support Program was instituted which set up accessible lactation rooms and reasonable break times for women faculty and staff. Dr. Tower has been on the faculty at WVU since 2002 and has dual appointments in the School of Social Work and the department of public administration.
Dr. Tower is a graduate of the University of Florida. She holds an MBA from the University of Miami and a master of social work degree and a Ph.D. from Barry University in Miami.