Megan Hicks, PhD
Improving outcomes for Black youth

Megan Hicks has joined the School's faculty as an assistant professor with research focused on risk and protective factors that influence health disparities among Black youth. Hired as part of the University's call for researchers focused on the social and behavioral determinants of health, Hicks' research is rooted in the urban community and examines sexual risk behaviors among Black youth and how factors such as impulsivity, adverse childhood experiences, and emotion regulation impact behavior. "I have built great relationships with many Detroit organizations and I am eager to collaborate with them in the near future on my research," stated Hicks. "I think it is very important to engage in the community that you live in and work in." Learn more

Norma Love-Schropshire, DSW
Advancing digital justice

Norma Love-Schropshire has joined the School's faculty as the new BSW program director and lecturer with the goal of infusing technological advances into the urban learning experience of undergraduate Social Work students. As a Detroit native educated in Detroit public schools, Love-Schropshire has seen first-hand the need to harness technology for social good. "I am devoted to advocating for digital justice, closing cultural and digital divides, and strengthening the social fabric in Detroit," stated Love-Schropshire. "I want our graduates to leave Wayne State having received an urban learning experience infused with curriculum based in social justice and diversity that prepares them to develop a critical consciousness perspective, professional practice behaviors and metacognitive thinking skills." Learn more

Rebeccah Sokol, PhD
Preventing child trauma

Rebeccah Sokol has joined the School's faculty as an assistant professor eager to collaborate with local agencies and community members to advance child trauma prevention in Detroit. Hired as part of the University's call for researchers focused on the social and behavioral determinants of health, Sokol plans to utilize an assets-based approach to dismantle health disparities and prevent childhood trauma. "Researchers at Wayne State are grounded in addressing local issues that can have global implications," noted Sokol. "This grounded perspective allows the community members of Detroit-who have rich knowledge of and lived experiences with health disparities-to contribute to the research agenda. I am eager to bring these community perspectives to my work." Learn more

Heather Walter-McCabe
Improving population health

Heather Walter-McCabe has joined the University as an Associate Professor with a joint appointment in the School of Social Work and Law School with research focused on the intersection of social work, law and public health. Hired as part of the University's call for researchers focused on the social and behavioral determinants of health, Walter-McCabe's research translates complex legal issues and social work research findings across multiple professions to make the information accessible for use by practitioners and advocates in improving population health. "The School's commitment to community engagement, macro level advocacy, and policy work are a great fit for the work I do in public health law and policy with an emphasis on health equity," stated Walter-McCabe. Learn more