School of Social Work

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Stevara Clark

Interim associate dean for academic and student affairs; director of online education; associate professor in teaching
Unit:Academic and Student Affairs, Dean's Office, Online Education

Email: clarksh3@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-0732
Pronouns: She/her

Stevara Haley Clark, Ed.D., associate professor in teaching, serves as the interim associate dean for academic and student affairs, as well as director of online education. With a robust background spanning over a decade in academia and leadership roles within Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Social Work, Stevara brings a wealth of experience and expertise to any academic environment. Holding a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Social Work from VCU, Stevara has demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence and innovation. Her tenure as interim associate dean for academic and student affairs showcases her adeptness in overseeing school-wide educational initiatives, curricular development and strategic enrollment management, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards while fostering inclusivity among students. Additionally, as director of online education, she led the development and implementation of online course offerings, ensuring academic integrity and student success in the digital learning environment.

Her extensive involvement in service to both the VCU School of Social Work and the broader academic community underscores her dedication to advancing educational quality and student support. From chairing search committees to serving on advisory boards and facilitating workshops, she’s played a pivotal role in curriculum development, faculty recruitment and student success initiatives. Stevara’s commitment to excellence, coupled with her collaborative approach and innovative mindset, positions her as a valuable asset in any academic setting striving for educational excellence and student-centered support.

Stevara’s areas of interest include developing programming to engage nontraditional and at-risk students in implicit curricula, using technology effectively to build relationships, contributing to the understanding of student success for first-generation minority college students and women's leadership.

Areas of expertise

  • Research on Social Work Education
  • Student Success
  • Online Learning and Teaching Pedagogy
  • Women's Leadership
  • Organizational Culture
  • Technology in Social Work Education

Education and credentials

Ed.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
M.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University
B.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University

View Stevara Haley Clark's curriculum vitae.

Author: Clark, S. H.
Topic: Research on Social Work Education, Technology in Social Work Education

Work

Selected publications

Clark, S. H., Harrington, J. D., Mahone, R. L., & Smith, K. L. (2021). The effectiveness of the Virginia Network: A mixed methods study. [Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Commonwealth University]. VCU Scholars Compass.

Clark, S. H., Gupta, L.A., Secret, M., & Baskind, F.R. (2019). Achieving field education competence through an integrative syllabus: Bringing the field to class. Field Educator, 9(1).

Clark, S. H., & Remmers, C. E. (2019). Comprehensive training for field liaisons: A necessity for evaluating student performance. Field Educator, 9(1).

Role: Faculty, Leadership

Professional highlights

Selected presentations

  • Clark, S. H., Baskind, F. R., & Hartwell, C. A. (April 2021). Lessons learned: Engaging in curriculum redesign with an instructional design firm. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 7th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX. Virtual conference.
  • Clark, S.H., & Samuels, K. M. (April 2021). State licensure and regulatory considerations in online social work programs. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 6th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX. Virtual conference due to COVID-19.
  • Clark, S.H., Harrington, J.D., & Mahone, R.L. (2020 March). 2020 vision for increasing Black women leaders in higher education. Workshop presented at the 2020 William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University Research Symposium, Educational Collaboration in the New Decade: Williamsburg, VA. Conference postponed due to COVID-19.
  • Clark, S.H., Harrington, J.D., & Mahone, R.L. (February 2020). Leading as a Black woman: Considerations for leadership diversity in higher education. Research Roundtable presented at the Graduate Student Research Roundtable at the William & Mary Higher Education Convening and 50th Anniversary: Williamsburg, VA.
  • Johnson, S.C., Fraser, D.V., & Miller, J. (October 2019). From needs assessment to implementation: Developing an integrative field seminar. Workshop presented to social workers and social work educators at the 65th Annual Program Meeting hosted by the Council on Social Work Education: Denver, CO.
  • Baskind, F.R., Gupta, L.A., & Johnson, S.C. (October 2019). Migrating face-to-face competency-based courses to an online format: Experiences working with an online program manager's design team. Workshop presented at Online Learning Consortium Accelerate Conference: Orlando, FL.
  • Johnson, S.C., & Yearwood, C.C. (April 2019). Racial identity and social justice: How instructors personal awareness impacts learning. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 5th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX.
  • Remmers, C.E., Johnson, S.C., & Carpenter, J.A. (April 2019). Effectively trained field liaisons: The key to an enriching field education program. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 5th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX.
  • Johnson, S.C., Secret, M.C., Gupta, L.A., & Baskind, F.R. (November 2018). Integrating the Field and Classroom in Distance Education: Bringing the Syllabus Alive. Workshop presented to social workers and social work educators at the 64th Annual Program Meeting hosted by the Council on Social Work Education: Orlando, FL.
  • Johnson, S.C., Votapek, J., & Brandt, M. (April 2018). Dual Roles and Conflicts: Violation of Code of Ethics?. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 4th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX.
  • Sienkiewicz, M., Brandt, M., Votapek, J., & Johnson, S.C. (April 2017). Hindsight is 20/20: What We Wish We Had Known. Workshop presented to distance educators at the 3rd Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: San Antonio, TX.
  • Johnson, S.C., Burton-Everette, S., Pittman, C.E., & Severo, K. M. (March 2016). A Holistic Advising Model: Fostering Student Success through Recruitment, Retention, and Release. Workshop presented to academic advisors at the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Region 2 Conference: Hyattsville, MD.

Invited/nonrefereed presentations

  • Clark, S.H. (April 2021). When duties increase and the salary doesn’t: An advocacy perspective. Panel presented at the 2nd Annual Sisters in Higher Education (S.I.H.E.) Virtual Symposium.
  • Clark, S.H. (November 2020). From surviving to thriving: Prioritizing racial equity to support field education students. Presentation to the Social Work Distance Education Field Consortium at the 66th Annual Program Meeting hosted by the Council on Social Work Education. Virtual presentation due to COVID-19.
  • Johnson, S.C. (November 2018). The future of social work and modern communication: Technology and field education. Panel presented to social workers at the Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work Annual Statewide Symposium: Charlottesville, VA.

Accomplishments

Affiliations and service

  • Conference abstract reviewer, Innovate, Leadership and Advocacy Track (2022)
  • Member, National Association of Black Social Workers
  • 2019-2022: VCU Faculty Senator
  • Oct. 2016-April 2020: Inaugural Technology Chair, Social Work Distance Education Field Consortium
  • Conference abstract reviewer, Council on Social Work Education, Annual Program Meeting, Field Education Track (2019), Technology in Social Work Education and Practice Track (2021), Higher Education/Nonprofit Leadership Track (2021)
  • Aug. 2014–present: Member, Fulbright Review Panel, National Scholarship Office

Teaching areas and interests

  • Introductory Social Work
  • Social Justice
  • Field Education
  • Social Work Technology

Recent courses taught

  • SLWK 603: Power, Privilege, and Oppression
  • EDLP 708: Leadership Presence

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