Ashley Dawn Givens is the 2018 recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. Givens was honored during the School of Social Work’s Ph.D. reception on May 11.
Givens received her BA in psychology and sociology in 2008 from Arkansas Tech University and her MSW from the University of Arkansas in 2010. She is a licensed MSW and skilled clinician with substantial practice experience.
In addition to publishing two book chapters, she has published nine peer-reviewed papers and has seven more submitted or in preparation. Moreover, Givens has delivered 20 or more refereed and non-refereed professional presentations and has independently taught many MSW courses at the School.
Her research interests focus on the roles trauma and mental health play in criminogenic risk and need among early adults involved in the criminal justice system. In addition to writing grant proposals for federal funding, Givens has designed and implemented quasi-experimental and experimental studies, conducted qualitative studies and focus groups, designed and delivered surveys, and collected and analyzed qualitative and quantitative data.
Many of Givens’ colleagues and peers described her as “industrious, dedicated, self-directed, thoughtful, supportive, and … a natural leader.”
“She is a woman with great compassion, dedication, and intelligence…exceptionally skilled at setting and accomplishing goals…interpersonally adept…with impeccable time management skills…a steadfast commitment to research and social justice…able to consider multiple perspectives and related ethical implications…and a dynamic public speaker,” wrote one individual who nominated her for the doctoral award.
Givens recently accepted a tenure-track assistant professorship at the University of Missouri School of Social Work.