Dr. Emily Spence
Associate Dean for Community Partnerships and Practice and Professor, Population & Community Health
Education & Experience:
I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Florida State University
and my PhD in Social Welfare from Florida International University. My direct practice
experience includes victim advocacy and counseling services provided to individuals
who have experienced intimate partner violence, sexual violence and/or stalking. I
am also experienced in the development, administration and evaluation of social service
programs and the strategic planning process. I have extensive experience in the assessment
of community needs and assets, as well as in conducting program and community-wide
evaluations.
Prior to joining UNT Health, I served as Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Research and Community Outreach at the University of Texas Arlington School of Social Work. I also served as an adjunct professor at Florida International University.
Teaching Areas & Public Health Interests:
I have taught undergraduate, Masters and PhD courses in research design, evaluation,
community and macro practice, basic statistics, qualitative and quantitative methods,
intimate partner violence and grant proposal development. I have served as a PhD mentor
and have chaired doctoral dissertations. I also provide training and consultation
for professionals in interdisciplinary and practice-based settings. In my administrative
role, I oversee community partnerships and practice initiatives for the College of
Public Health, including our MPH internship program and the Community Corps.
Professional Activities & Awards:
I have served on the board of directors for local non-profit organizations and as
the Community Outreach Core Director for the Texas Center for Health Disparities,
an NIH (National Institutes of Health) Center of Excellence. I have served as a coach
and mentor for the National Research Mentors Network (NRMN) and the Steps Toward Academic
Research (STAR) Fellowship program. I have received several awards and honors, including
the Charles Perry Visionary Award from the Florida International University Alumni
Association and the annual Valubility recognition from UNT Health.
Scholarly Interests:
I am a community-engaged scholar in the areas of health disparities, program evaluation,
interpersonal violence, poverty, homelessness, women’s health, lifestyle interventions
and community assessment. I collaborate with groups and organizations on the design
of new programs, as well as the collection and analysis of data that can be used to
improve or develop solutions for a healthier community. As a program evaluator, I
have assessed numerous public health concerns, including breast cancer, asthma, cradle
to career development, violence, trauma, economic well-being, post-incarceration re-entry,
and women’s wellness. I am particularly interested in interventions that are strengths-based
and support human resiliency, such as Solution-Focused therapies, Motivational Interviewing,
and asset-based community development.