Dr. Cecilia L. Thomas
University of North Texas
Social Work
(940) 369-7095
Email:

Education

PhD, University of Texas at Arlington, 2001.
Major: Social Work
Dissertation Title: Foster Care Outcomes: The Examination of a Predictive Model
MSW, Our Lady of the Lake University, 1981.
Major: Social Work

Professional Positions

Uncategorized
Associate Professor, University of North Texas. (2003 – Present).
Visiting Lecturer, University of North Texas. (2001 – 2003).
Assistant Professor Ad Interim and MSW Program Consultant, Texas A&M University Commerce, Texas. (2000 – 2001).
MSW Program Consultant, Texas A&M University Commerce, Texas. (1999 – 2000).
Program Specialist II, Texas Department of Protective & Regulatatory Services Arlington, Texas. (1998 – 1999).
Graduate Teaching Assistant & Adjunct, University of Texas at Arlington. (1996 – 1999).
Medical Social Worker, Independent contractor for home health agencis in Metroplex. (1984 – 1999).
Program Coordinator, Texas Department of Protective & Regulatatory Services Arlington, Texas. (1990 – 1998).
Permanency Planning Supervisor, Texas Department of Protective & Regulatatory Services Fort Worth, Texas. (1984 – 1990).
Child Placement Specialist, Texas Department of Human Services. Fort Worth, Texas. (1982 – 1984).
Medical Social Worker, Family and Individual Services. Fort Worth, Texas. (1981 – 1982).
Psychiatric Social Worker, Wichita Falls State Hospital. Wichita Falls, Texas. (1979 – 1980).

Licensures and Certifications

Licensed Master Social Worker - Advanced practitioner (LMSW-AP) #08345, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. (September 30, 2016 – September 30, 2020).

Professional Memberships

Gerontological Society of America (GSA). (Present).

National Association of Social Work (NASW). (Present).

Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). (Present).

Texas Association of Deans and Directors. (2009 – Present).

Chair of Gerontology Committee, Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD). (September 2008 – Present).

Nominations Committee, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). (September 2008 – Present).

Development Activities Attended

Faculty Development Leave,"Disaster Effects: Long-term experiences of older African Americans," UNT, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (February 2013).

Conference Attendance,"Policy Institute for Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars," Hartford Foundation, Geriatric Social Work Initiative, Washington, D. C., United States of America. (October 15, 2008 – October 18, 2008).

Conference Attendance,"Teaching Institute for Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars," Stanford Faculty Development Center, Palo Alto, California, United States of America. (April 23, 2008 – April 26, 2008).

Workshop,"Teacher as a model of social work skills," Council on Social Work Education, San Francisco, California, United States of America. (October 27, 2007).

Workshop,"Grounded Theory," Society for Social Work Research, San Francisco, California, United States of America. (January 11, 2007).

Workshop,"Qualitative Research," Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference, Los Angeles, California, United States of America. (October 25, 2006).

Workshop,"Rigorous and Relevant Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research," Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (July 26, 2006 – July 27, 2006).

Awards and Honors

University Scholar, President's Convocation for Academic Excellence. (1999 – 1999).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

University of North Texas
RHAB 4600, Case Management in Rehabilitation, 2 courses.
RHAB 5900, Special Problems, 1 course.
SOWK 2430, Policies, Issues and Programs in Social Welfare, 4 courses.
SOWK 3800, Social Work Practice I, 38 courses.
SOWK 4540, Human Diversity for the Helping Professions, 33 courses.
SOWK 4725, Theory and Practice in Mental Health, 5 courses.
SOWK 4870, Social Work Integrative Seminar, 10 courses.
SOWK 4875, Social Work Field Practicum, 6 courses.
SOWK 4900, Special Problems, 2 courses.

Directed Student Learning

Other,"Ph.D. Committee,". (2006 – 2007).

Other,"Ph.D. Committee,". (2006 – 2007).

Other,"Master's Thesis,". (2005 – 2006).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

Book Chapter
Thomas, C. L. (2010). Religion and Philosophy. Gerontology Textbook. National Social Science Press.
Thomas, C. L. (2010). Using transformative learning to enhance social justice learning. Educating for Social Justice: Transformative Experiential Learning..
Thomas, C. L. (2000). Family treatment with adults substance abuse.
Conference Proceeding
Thomas, C. L. Survey of MSW & BSW field programs in the federal region. Submitted to the 7th Annual Title IV-E Texas Roundtable.
Journal Article
Thomas, C. L. (2012). Exploring resiliency factors with older African American Katrina survivors. 9, 351-368. Fort Worth:. Cecilia Thomas
Thomas, C. L. (2010). Latino Voices: Service Delivery Challenges in Child Protective Services. 91(2), 158-164.
Thomas, C. L. (2008). Religion and Spirituality as Defined by Older Adults.
Thomas, C. L. (2007). Wading in the Waters: Narratives of Older Katrina Survivors.
Thomas, C. L. (2006). Evaluating the impact of a Hartford Gero-Rich Project on a Bachelor of Social Work Program.. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work. 11, 13-25.
Thomas, C. L. (2006). Focus group effects on field practicum preferences. 32(3), 203-214.
Thomas, C. L. (2006). Focus group effects on field practicum preferences.
Thomas, C. L. (2006). Understanding Spiritual Meaning Making in Older Adults.
Thomas, C. L. (2005). Evaluating the impact of a Hart-ford Gero-Rich Project on a Bachelor of Social Work Program.
Thomas, C. L. (2003). Family approches to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Thomas, C. L. (2001). Empirically based martial an family interventions for alcohol abuse. Research on Social Work Practice. 11(5), 549-575.
Thomas, C. L. (2000). Family treatment with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.
Technical Report
Thomas, C. L. (2005). Title IV-E Program Evaluation. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Presentations Given

Design Work

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Annual Program Meeting, Using Distance Education for a BSW Field Seminar Course., Council on Social Work (CSWE) 51st Annual Program Meeting, New York, New York, United States of America. (2005).

Exhibit

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), BPD, Process, Reflection and Outcomes from a cultural context, Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America. (2015).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), BPD, Using Wikis for Student Team Projects: Assessing Benefits and Challenges, Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America. (2014).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Tenth International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, Teaching and Learning Qualitative Research: Lessons Learned from Practice, Qualitative Inquiry, United States of America. (2014).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), Surviving Hurricane Katrina: Exploring Dimensions of Disaster Outcomes, 9th Annual International Conference of the Social Sciences. Honolulu, Hawaii., Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America. (2010).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), BPD, Field Outcomes: A Comparative Study of the Impact of Field Seminar Models. 22nd Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Social Work Education Conference. Detroit, Michigan, 22nd Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America. (2004 – 2004).

Keynote/Plenary Address

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), Annual Program Meeting, Exploring dimensions of depression for African Americans in the Aftermath of Trauma., Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Dallas, Texas, United States of America. (2013).

Oral Presentation

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Texas NASW Conference, LBSW Licensing Review Course, NASW, Galveston, TX, United States of America. (2017).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Texas NASW Conference, LBSW Licensing Review Course, National Association of Social Work, Arlington, Texas, United States of America. (2016).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), Annual Program Meeting, The influence of coping on depressive symptoms for African Americans post-trauma, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Tampa, Florida, United States of America. (2014).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), SSWR, Recognizing the Deleterious Effects of Trauma on Older African Americans: A Cultural Perspective, Society for Social Work and Research, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America. (2014).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), Annual Program Meeting, Experiential Learning Approaches to Enhance Student Interest in Practice with Older Adults., Council on Social Work Education, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States of America. (2013).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Texas NASW Conference, Bridging Practice and Academia: Field, Teaching and You, NASW, Austin, Texas, United States of America. (2013).

Thomas, C. L. (Author & Presenter), Annual Program Meeting, Exploring differential processes of coping across time for African American Katrina Survivors, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. (2011).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Annual Practice Conference, Mental Health Responses To Catastrophic Events: The Unique Needs Of Older Adults And Lessons Learned After A Disaster, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America. (2009).

Thomas, C. L. (Presenter), Society for Social Work Research, Exploring Short and Long-Term Coping of African American Katrina Survivors. 13th Annual Conference, Society for Social Work Research (SSWR). New Orleans, Louisiana, Society for Social Work Research, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America. (2009 – 2009).

C. L. (Presenter), GSA, The Salience of Religion & spirituality in Helping Katrina Survivors Cope with Uncertainty. 61st Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). National Harbor, Maryland, 61st Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), National Harbor, Maryland, United States of America. (2008 – 2008).

C. L. (Presenter), CSWE, Exploration of resiliency demonstrated by African American Katrina survivors. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 53rd Annual Program Meeting. San Francisco, California, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 53rd Annual Program Meeting, San Francisco, California, United States of America. (2007 – 2007).

C. L. (Presenter), CSWE, Improving Service Delivery to Latino Families: Lessons from Latino CPS Workers. Council on Social Work (CSWE) 52nd Annual Program Meeting. Chicago, Illinois, Council on Social Work (CSWE) 52nd Annual Program Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America. (2006 – 2006).

C. L. (Presenter), Race, Place, and the Environment after Katrina, Environmental Health Crisis: Impact of Relocation on Katrina Survivors, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America. (2006 – 2006).

C. L. (Presenter), Child Advocates of Tarrant County, Cultural Diversity in Child Welfare. Child Advocates of Tarrant County. Workshop presented to child advocates for required training. Fort Worth, Texas, University of North Texas, Fort, Worth, Texas, United States of America. (2004 – 2004).

C. L. (Presenter), Title IV-E Conference, Infusing Child Welfare Content Across the Social Work Curriculum. 8th Annual Texas Title IV-E Roundtable: Federal Region VI. New Braunfels, Texas, University of North Texas, New Braunfels, Texas, United States of America. (2004 – 2004).

C. L. (Presenter), 21st Annual Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Jewish, African American and Caucasian Protestant Older Adults Reflect on Spiritual and Religious Events. 21st Annual Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Social Work Education Conference. Reno, Nevada, BPD, Reno, Nevada, United States of America. (2003 – 2003).

C. L. (Presenter), Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) Conference, Thomas, C. & Cohen, H. (October, 2003). An Experiential Learning Model for Understanding Latino Culture and Promoting Social and Economic Justice. 21st Annual Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Social Work Education Conference. Reno, Nevada., University of North Texas, United States of America. (2003 – 2003).

Panel Presentation

Thomas, C. L. (Panelist), BPD, The Face of BSW Education in Response to Global Aging, Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America. (2014).

L. (Panelist), Annual Practice Conference, Careers in Aging, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America. (2009).

Thomas, C. L. (Panelist), BPD, Developing Proposals For Foundations: Hartford Faculty Scholars Share Their Experiences., Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America. (2009).

C. L. (Presenter), CSWE, Use of Logs in Field Education. 24th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Social Work Education Conference. Los Angeles, California, 24th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Los Angeles, California, United States of America. (2006 – 2006).

C. L. (Panelist), Why Should I care about Aging: Ethical Issues for the 21st Century., Cohen, H., Sandel, M., Barton, T., Williamson, C., Thomas, C., & Rozell, A. (September, 2002). Why Should I care about Aging: Ethical Issues for the 21st Century. Workshop presented at UNT for social work professionals in the community. Denton, Texas, UNT Social Work Program, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (2002 – 2002).

C. L. (Presenter), Workshop, Ethical Supervision of Field Students, University of North Texas, United States of America. (2001 – 2001).

Poster

Thomas, C. L. (Other), IAGG, Disaster Outcomes: Social Constructions by Hurricane Katrina Survivors, XIXth International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG), World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics., Paris, France, France. (2009).

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Contract
Thomas, C. L. (Principal), "Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Grant," Sponsored by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, State, $354486 Funded. (July 1, 2006 – Present).
Uncategorized
Thomas, C. L. (Co-Principal), "Gero-Ed Center: BSW Experiential Learning (BEL) Program," Sponsored by Council on Social Work Education, $7442. (2008 – 2008).
Thomas, C. L. (Co-Principal), "Trauma and relocation experiences of older Katrina Survivors," Sponsored by Hartford Foundation, $100000. (2007 – 2007).
Thomas, C. L. (Co-Principal), "Using Participatory Action Research to Understand and Promote Health Behaviors amoung Hispanic Elders," $25000. (2007 – 2007).
Thomas, C. L. (Co-Principal), "Promoting Cultural Understanding of Hispanics in the U.S. & Mexico: an Experiential Learning Model," Sponsored by UNT Internal Grant, $25000. (2006 – 2006).
Thomas, C. L. (Principal), "Culturally competent systems of care practices: With Hispanic children and families," Sponsored by Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau, $100000. (2004 – 2005).
Thomas, C. L. (Other), "Inpact of parenting programs on hish risk fathers," Sponsored by Department of Health and Human Services, $1900000. (2004 – 2004).

Service

University Service

Committee Member, College Grievance Committee. (2018 – Present).

Chairperson, Personnel Affairs Committee. (2017 – Present).

Chairperson, Program Advising. (2016 – Present).

Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee. (2016 – Present).

Chairperson, BPD Gerontology Committee Chair. (2014 – Present).

Member, CSWE Site Visitor. (2012 – Present).

Chairperson, Assessment Coordinator. (2009 – Present).

Committee Member, College of Public Affairs and Community Service, Curriculum Committee. (2008 – Present).

Faculty Advisor, Phi Alpha Honor Society. (2003 – Present).

Member, Personnel Affairs Committee. (2016 – 2018).

Attendee, Meeting, Community Engaged Research Committee. (2016 – 2017).

Member, CSWE National Nominating Committee - Undergrad Program Rep.. (2014 – 2017).

Committee Member, College of Public Affairs and Community Service, Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Committee. (2003 – 2008).

Committee Member, Adhoc Committee for University Diversity Core. (2006 – 2007).

Committee Chair, Search Committee for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service. (2006 – 2007).

Other, Search Committee for Rehabiliation, Social Work & Addictions. (2005 – 2007).

Committee Member, Search Committee for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Human Services Degree Program. (2006 – 2006).

Faculty Advisor, Social Work Student Association. (2005 – 2006).

Committee Member, College of Public Affairs and Community Service Distance Learning Committee. (2003 – 2006).

Other, Phi Alpha National Scholarship Committee. (2003 – 2006).

Other, MSW Admissions Committee. (2000 – 2001).

Other, President's Recruitment Committee. (2000 – 2001).

Other, Research Committee for MSW. (2000 – 2001).

Professional Service

Board of Advisors, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas. (2017 – Present).

Chairperson, BPD Gerontology Committee - (National), Alexandria, Virginia. (2016 – Present).

Other, Site Visitor - CSWE (National), Alexandria, Virginia. (2016 – Present).

Other, CSWE Nominating Committee (NNC) - National, Alexandria, Virginia. (2014 – Present).

Member, Texas Association for SW Deans and Directors (TASWDD), State-Wide, Texas. (2009 – Present).

Public Service

Committee Member, Child Welfare Disportionality Committee, Denton, Texas. (August 2007 – 2010).

Board Member, Children and Family Institute, Dallas, TX. (August 2005 – 2009).

Consulting

For Profit Organization, Home Health Agencies, DFW Area, United States of America. (2007 – September 2016).

Children and Family Institute, Dallas, Texas. (2005 – 2009).

Child Advocates of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. (2000 – 2005).

Awards and Honors

Nominated for: Mit Joyner BPD AGESW Leadership Award, Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW). (September 2014 – Present).

Phi Alpha National Service Award for efforts within organization., Phi Alpha National Office. (October 2009 – Present).