Gina Chowa, Ph.D., full professor. Chowa, who joined the School in 2008, serves as associate dean for global engagement and is the founding director of Global Social Development Innovations, a research center that works closely with university, state, national and international partners to improve the lives of marginalized people around the world. Chowa’s expertise is in youth development, focusing on employment, economic security, asset development, education and health in low-resourced countries. In 2016, she was named a Wallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Professor. She is a recipient of the Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement by Young Faculty.
David Ansong, Ph.D., associate professor with tenure. Ansong joined the School in 2013 and is a member of the Global Social Development Innovations’ research team. Ansong’s areas of expertise include economic and educational disparities, youth asset development, and international social development. He has been particularly involved in international research on asset development for low-income households and youth. His current research examines the impacts of youth savings accounts on in-school behavior and academic performance. He is among a team of colleagues at the School awarded the 2017 C. Felix Harvey Award to Advance Institutional Priorities.
Tara Bohley, MPA, clinical associate professor. Bohley joined the School in 2013 and serves as director of Behavioral Health Springboard, which links current research to initiatives in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment. A licensed marriage and family therapist, Bohley’s expertise includes work with families of adolescents who are involved with the social services, juvenile justice, and/or mental health systems. Over the last few years, Bohley has helped coordinate efforts to train more than 1,000 faculty, staff and students in Mental Health First Aid on UNC’s campus.
