Social Worker / Adjunct
Fordham University
Lashawn Smith is an adjunct professor of social work and a seasoned practitioner-scholar with 20 years of experience working with military veterans. Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Social Work and brings a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to the classroom and research.
Dr. Smith’s academic and professional focus lies at the intersection of military veterans, aging, primary care, and mental health. Her most significant contribution to the field is a phenomenological study exploring the impact of military sexual trauma (MST) on the mental health, military experience, and educational attainment of women veterans. This work, completed as her doctoral dissertation, demonstrates a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of women veterans and addressing the nuanced challenges they face.
With a research foundation rooted in ecological systems theory and the intersectionality framework, Dr. Smith’s work examines how individual, systemic, and societal factors intersect to shape lived experiences. Dr. Smith has taught a range of graduate-level courses, including policy, identity and social justice, community organizing, values and ethics, and research methods.
In addition to academic roles, Dr. Smith leverages two decades of experience to bridge research and practice, advocating for policies and programs that promote equity and mental health support for veterans. Her teaching and research are driven by a commitment to fostering innovative solutions and empowering students to critically engage with systemic inequities.
Dr. Smith’s dedication to social work reflects a lifelong passion for improving the lives of veterans and other vulnerable populations, while advancing the principles of social justice.
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