Social work newcomer Cherry Short has been declared a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), the United Kingdom's highest public service award, for promoting racial equality and equal opportunity in Wales. Prince Charles presented the official royal honor in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

"It's with a great deal of pride that we congratulate Cherry on this esteemed honor from her home nation," said Dean Marilyn Flynn. "She's touched so many people's lives during the course of her career. She truly deserves this wonderful acknowledgment."

Short, who joined the USC School of Social Work in February as assistant dean for community initiatives and programs, has spent the last decade as commissioner for racial equality in Wales and a member of the Commission on Race and Equality, the national regulatory body in London that administers the United Kingdom Race and Equality Act of 1976. After serving an exemplary first term, she was the only commissioner to be reappointed for a second five-year term.

The West Indies-born social worker, who has been active in Labour party politics for 25 years, was the first black woman probation officer in Wales, as well as the first black woman to sit on industrial tribunals in Wales. Short also served 17 years as an elected member of the Cardiff City Council and as a member of the British government's task force on Welfare to Work and New Deal programs.

In her new role at USC, Short will assist in developing a forensic social work program that aims to explain how the criminal justice system operates, how it treats juvenile offenders and what benefits social workers can provide. She also will devise and teach a new course on immigration and social policy.

Accomplished in virtually all aspects of social work, including direct practice, policy development and accreditation, Short will utilize her background to develop closer relationships with community organizations and state and local government to promote policy initiatives in Sacramento and the school's work with the State Departments of Mental Health and Corrections. She also plans to bolster the school's connections with social work programs in Great Britain, expanding employment and internship opportunities for students.

"The school is extremely fortunate to have someone like Cherry whose international political career and experience with diversity and race issues are sure to provide a distinctive contribution and perspective to our work here in Los Angeles," said Flynn.

Short also will devote a quarter of her time to the Office of External Relations, outreaching to the community and the city of Los Angeles, facilitating activities that support local efforts to end poverty and homelessness.