Vicky Buchan Biography Legacies Project

Vicky earned her B.A. with a major in psychology from the University of Colorado in 1963. A pivotal summer job at the Colorado State Hospital, within the Social Work department, redirected her path toward social work. She began her MSW in Oklahoma and completed both MSW in 1977 and Ph.D. in social work in 1985 at the University of Denver. Between her MSW and Ph.D., she practiced in medical social work at Poudre Valley Hospital.

Vicky’s tenure at CSU began in 1987 when she joined the School of Social Work as an assistant professor. She was promoted to full professor in 1997. Reflecting on her career, Vicky emphasized her initial surprise at becoming a teacher and social worker, which were predicted by the Kuder Preference Test she took in middle school.

Vicky’s journey at CSU is marked by interdisciplinary collaborations with professionals from diverse fields and significant achievements. In 1991, alongside her husband, Vicky co-wrote a grant to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to establish the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at CSU, or HICAHS, which has included researchers from four colleges and up to nine disciplines, as well as research projects involving all Agricultural Centers across the country. The Center’s project has a mission to provide research, intervention, and translation education to reduce occupational injuries and disease for those employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. The HICAHS Center still thrives today.

Vicky’s passion for research extended into community organizations, where she spearheaded the Human Service Assessment Project, leaving a lasting impact on agencies across Colorado. Vicky expressed gratitude for the recognition received from the Baccalaureate Program Directors for developing with colleagues an educational outcome assessment package; and from NIOSH for developing a data-based approach to evaluation for all Centers to participate in.

Vicky found working with students energizing and rewarding. She served as academic adviser on 86 MSW committees representing over 250 students and 11 Ph.D. committees. Throughout her CSU career, Vicky valued her interactions with students, especially during research projects and the development of robust research curricula. Her love for chairing research and constant learning through student interactions fueled her enthusiasm. Vicky aimed to instill in students the excitement she felt for research. Vicky found joy in teaching and continuous excitement derived from witnessing students’ “aha moments.”

Vicky taught a wide variety of social work courses with a primary focus on graduate research methods, advanced policy, and theoretical foundation of social work. With colleagues she developed CSU’s social work Ph.D. program and served as the program’s first director. Her contributions to the School of Social Work and College of Health and Human Sciences through service and leadership included chairing both the curriculum committee and the tenure and promotion committee, as well as many accreditation processes.

Several colleagues played influential roles in her CSU journey. Marcy Lazzari and Maria Puig were close friends and colleagues. Brad Sheafor, Victor Baez, Ben Granger, and George Morgan mentored her in teaching, research, and administration.

In late 2011, a personal tragedy struck Vicky, 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, due to gaining custody of her grandchildren, Vicky began transitioning into retirement over four years, until she officially retired in 2016 while continuing to work with individual students.

Vicky’s retirement in 2016 brought new responsibilities, including caring for horses and grandchildren. Vicky 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.

Vicky continues to convey her love for CSU and the fulfilling career it offered. She cherished the privilege of teaching, highlighting the enduring high she experiences with her students, even after 30 years. Her favorite quote, “you can do it,” encapsulates the faith she maintained in her students until they succeeded.