Directory Entry For: Alicia Dawson

Biography

Dr. Alicia Dawson is an Assistant Professor in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. She is a double alumna of the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work. During her graduate studies, she served as Vice President of the Kent School Student Association (KSSA).

Dr. Dawson holds a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) with a concentration in Social Work Education from the University of Kentucky. Her doctoral research focused on enhancing social work curricula to better prepare practitioners providing mental health services to Black youth. Her findings emphasized the need to dismantle oppressive structures and institutional racism within social work education and practice.

Dr. Dawson brings experience as a mental health therapist, specializing in working with children who have experienced trauma and abuse. Her professional background also includes work with youth in residential settings, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and teaching graduate-level social work students. 

Research Interests

Dr. Dawson's research interests include enhancing social work curricula to prepare better practitioners providing mental health services to Black youth and dismantling oppressive structures and institutional racism within social work education and practice.

Dr. Dawson is committed to advancing racial and mental health equity with research interests that include critical race theory, school-based health centers, racial equality, mental health, trauma, Black youth, anti-racist curricula, and social work education.

Her work centers on advocating for frameworks, curricula, and policies that address systemic inequities and foster inclusive, effective social work practice.

Degrees and Certifications

Publications

All Scholarly and Creative Works