Donna Leigh Bliss
Division Director & Associate Professor
B.A., University of Maryland College Park
MSW, University of Maryland Baltimore
Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore
dbliss2@uwyo.edu
Health Sciences 308
(307) 766-5426 (office)
(706) 248-6759 (cell)
Research Interests
- Relationship between spirituality and addiction
- Improving addiction treatment outcomes
- Developing social work practice models
- Nonprofit and cause advocacy using social and multimedia
Teaching Philosophy
I believe excellence in teaching is much more than having information to provide to students, but more a way of relating that transmits a love for learning and a desire to fully engage students in the learning process. By challenging students to go beyond their present level of understanding and explore higher levels of critical thinking, I believe we can best prepare the next generation of social work leaders.
Biosketch
I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. As a non-traditional student, I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland College Park in 1989 with a BA in psychology and subsequently got an MSW from the University of Maryland Baltimore in 1991. After receiving my MSW I worked for many years in a variety of clinical and administrative capacities in the addiction and mental health fields including being a clinical supervisor, psychotherapist, and program director. One of my proudest achievements was in my role in co-creating with another social worker an innovative residential addiction treatment program for homeless persons with AIDS. I returned to the University of Maryland Baltimore in 2002 to pursue my PhD in social work, which I received in 2005. My first academic position was as an Assistant Professor and later Associate Professor at the University of Georgia School of Social Work. During this time I served as the BSW Program Director, Interim Associate Dean for Administration, Planning, and Evaluation, and MSW Program Director. I began as the Director of the Division of Social Work at the University of Wyoming in July 2013.
For fun I ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and go camping with my two poodles in my motorhome. I am also an avid bowler, golfer, and enjoy bicycling as well.
