Catherine A. Simmons, PhD, LCSW, is Professor of Social Work and Founding Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program Director at the University of Colorado Denver, where she is leading the development and accreditation of the university's new BSW program.
A licensed clinical social worker in Colorado and Tennessee, Dr. Simmons brings more than three decades of experience in academic leadership, social work education, and clinical practice. She has served in numerous academic leadership roles, including founding social work programs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Dr. Simmons is a scholar, educator, and academic leader whose work focuses on trauma-informed practice, social work ethics, leadership, political social work, program evaluation, and issues related to gender, violence, power, and oppression. She has authored or edited four books and published more than 60 scholarly works. Her research is grounded in strengths-based and evidence-informed approaches that promote individual well-being, organizational effectiveness, and community change.
Before entering academia, Dr. Simmons served as a clinical social worker in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve, providing behavioral health services, crisis intervention, family advocacy, substance use treatment, and military social work services.
At CU Denver, Dr. Simmons leads the development of the new BSW program and teaches courses focused on professional social work practice, organizations, communities, leadership, and macro practice. Students may encounter her in SWRK 3200: Professional Social Work Skills and SWRK 3920: Social Work with Organizations and Communities.
Research Interests: Trauma-informed practice and systems; ethics and leadership; political social work; strengths-based practice; program evaluation and measurement; workforce development; gender, violence, power, and oppression; and social work education and program development.