To say Vicky Buchan has left her mark at Colorado State University would be an understatement. Through her 29 years of dedicated service to the School of Social Work, Buchan has cemented her status in the College of Health and Human Sciences history. Through her work as a professor, she mentored hundreds of social work students and was the driving force behind establishing CSU’s social work Ph.D. program. Now, Buchan is being honored by the College’s Legacies Project.
“The School of Social Work reached new heights through the contributions of Vicky Buchan,” said Lise Youngblade, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “Not only did she help launch the school’s Ph.D. program and serve as its director, but she supported hundreds of students as a beloved mentor and teacher.”
Buchan is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in Pueblo, Colorado, after her family moved to the Centennial State when she was three years old. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado in 1963. A summer job in the social work department at Colorado State Hospital steered her career path toward social work. She received her MSW in 1977 from the University of Denver followed by her Ph.D. in 1985 again, from the University of Denver. In between her postsecondary degrees, she practiced medical social work at Poudre Valley Hospital.
Beginnings at CSU
Buchan’s CSU journey began in 1973 when her husband, Roy Buchan (’67), joined as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Radiological Health Sciences. In 1987, her own CSU tenure began as she joined the School of Social Work as an assistant professor. In 1997 she was promoted to full professor status. She found working with students energizing and rewarding, leading her to serve as an academic adviser on 86 MSW committees, representing over 250 students, and 11 Ph.D. committees.
“My teaching philosophy really changed over the years,” shared Buchan. “I used to be terrified to go into the classroom. I was afraid that I might not be able to answer a question that students asked me. I came to realize, with a lot of help from students, that it took all of us to make the classroom work.”
Three decades of service; lasting impact
Throughout her CSU career, Buchan valued her interactions with students. Her love for chairing research committees and constant learning through student interactions fueled her enthusiasm. She aimed to instill in students the excitement she felt for research.
“I think I first got excited about research when I was in medical settings,” said Buchan. “Research is important to practice for a number of reasons because knowledge is constantly changing, and that’s true for social work too.”
Buchan taught a wide variety of social work courses with a primary focus on graduate research methods, advanced policy, and theoretical foundation of social work.
“Vicky always saw you as the person first and then the student second,” shared Annie Keeney (’17), a CSU social work Ph.D. alum. “This was huge and fundamental in creating a very supportive environment.”
With the help of colleagues Brad Sheafor and Ben Granger she developed CSU’s social work Ph.D. program and served as the program’s first director.
“If it hadn’t been for Vicky, we certainly would not have had a Ph.D. program as early as we did, and maybe not at all,” said Sheafor, College of Health and Human Sciences associate dean and professor emeritus.
Her contributions to the School of Social Work and the college through service and leadership included chairing both the curriculum committee and the tenure and promotion committee, as well as many accreditation processes.
In 1991, Buchan, along with her husband, wrote a grant to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. They outlined their idea to establish the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at CSU, or HICAHS. The Center’s mission is to provide research, intervention, and translation education to reduce occupational injuries and disease for those employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Today, the HICAHS Center is still thriving and participates in research projects involving agricultural centers across the country.
“Vicky brought a social work perspective in spaces that historically did not have social work,” said Keeney. “In agricultural health and safety efforts, she was a real pioneer in bringing that lens in there.”
Buchan’s passion for research extended into community organizations. She spearheaded the Human Service Assessment Project, which left a lasting impact on agencies across Colorado.
“Vicky enhanced social work research at CSU through her desire to improve social work education, particularly in assessment and evaluation methods of social work student learning outcomes,” said Keeney.
She was grateful for the recognition she received from the Baccalaureate Program Directors due to the development of the BEAP (Baccalaureate Educational Assessment Project) package she co-created with her colleagues. She also received praise from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for developing a data-based approach to evaluation for all centers to utilize.
Legacy of compassion
In late 2011, a personal tragedy struck Buchan, when both her daughter and husband died. The support from students and colleagues was instrumental during this challenging period, highlighting the compassionate nature of the social work profession.
In 2012, after gaining custody of her grandchildren, she began transitioning into retirement over four years, until she officially retired in 2016 while continuing to work with individual students.
Buchan’s retirement brought new responsibilities, including caring for horses and grandchildren. She engages in volunteer work, gardening, and supporting causes like the Humane Society and the Food Bank for Larimer County. She continued to chair Ph.D. committees, with her final student graduating in Spring 2024.
Today, she continues to convey her love for CSU and the fulfilling career it offered. She cherished the privilege of teaching, as noted by many of her former colleagues and students.
“Vicky, you have been a remarkable role model for faculty, students, and social work practitioners during your years at Colorado State,” shared Sheafor. “I personally have gained so much through working with you and knowing you. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
Buchan reflected on her amazing career by thanking her colleagues, family, and friends. She expressed gratitude to the students she had the pleasure of teaching.
“Most of all, I think that teaching was a real privilege and a real honor,” said Buchan. “For over 30 years, it gave me a high that never stopped.”
Buchan’s outstanding legacy of leadership is recognized through the College of Health and Human Sciences Legacies Project. To watch a video about Buchan and to make a gift in her honor, go to her Legacies webpage. Donations will go toward the Vicky Buchan Scholarship, an endowment in the School of Social Work to support Ph.D. students. Buchan was honored at the Legacies and Leaders event on April 4, 2024.
About the Legacies Project
The College of Health and Human Sciences Legacies Project honors the personal and professional histories of former faculty, staff, and alumni of the College. The project has highlighted the achievements of our honorees and preserved their stories since 2012.
The School of Social Work is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
