Host
Dr Despina Cochliou
Dr Despina Cochliou is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the corresponding Programme at the University of Nicosia. She has extensive research and academic as well as professional experience. Her research interests lie in the administration and organisation of social services and in social policy planning and management. In this respect has worked and researched in various fields such as trafficking and exploitation policies and programmes, asylum and migration, and unaccompanied children guardianship policies. She has also worked extensively as an advisor of social care voluntary organisations and local authorities’ social services.
Speakers
Dr Roxxi M. Davis
Dr Roxxi M. Davis is the full-time BSW program director at UIndy. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Dr Davis received her Doctoral Degree in Social Work from Aurora University. She obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in Healthcare from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr Davis earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Illinois State University. Additionally, she graduated from Heartland Community College with an Associate in Arts/Science and obtained two certificates in Early and Advanced Childhood Education.
Dr Davis has 20 years of practice experience working with various populations, primarily in healthcare. She also owns her own LLC called G.R.O.W.T.H., where she provides individual counselling and consulting services. Dr Davis has four years of teaching experience, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr Stephanie Rudd
Stephanie Rudd, PhD is an associate professor of social work at the University of Indianapolis. Her research interests include equity, oppression, incivility, and dismantling racism in social work education. Before joining the university, she worked as a social worker for nearly 20 years, serving clients with serious mental illnesses in various roles. Her teaching focuses on mental health and addictions, and she frequently presents on motivational interviewing and mindfulness. Stephanie also remains active in the clinical field as a clinical consultant and licensure supervisor.
Additionally, Stephanie owns and provides therapy services through Healing Through Authenticity, LLC, a group practice that specializes in working with individuals in the Queer community and those who experience anxiety and depression.
Dr Lisa Adams-Qualls
Dr Lisa Adams-Qualls, PhD, is a full-time Assistant Professor at Concordia University, where she is also Co-chair of the university’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She graduated from Capella University with a Doctoral Degree in Social Work. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Kentucky and received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Tennessee State University. She also obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.
Dr Adams-Qualls has over 25 years of experience working in primary, secondary, and higher education arenas. She started as a school social worker and then transitioned into an administrative role as Program Manager for School-Based Mental Health Clinics for Racine School District while serving as Assistant Principal. Dr Adams-Qualls is also an International Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
Dr Adams-Qualls is the CEO of Hearts Needs Healing, LLC, where the focus is on trauma-informed care and substance abuse counselling.
