Alumni Stories: Helping Others Through Social Work Education

By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Dava Wilson, APU Graduate

Dr. Dava Wilson was born in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in a multigenerational home. Her grandmother, who was a nurse aide during World War II, inspired Dava to build a career around helping others.

Educational Foundation

Dava began her educational journey in 2009 at Tacoma Community College, receiving an associate degree in human services. She then attended The Evergreen State College’s Tacoma campus, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in social justice.

She was looking to further advance her education when she discovered the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at American Public University (APU).

“I decided to enroll at APU due to the MPA program and my desire to become more familiar with nonprofit organizational leadership and how government works,” Dava says. “I researched – and was impressed by – the reputation of this university. I knew it was the right fit for me, being an adult learner and needing the flexibility of an online program.”

While attending APU, Dava served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. She developed valuable grant-writing skills and gained practical experience in program development and community engagement.

After completing the MPA program, Dava earned a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Putting Her Social Work Education into Action

Dava’s path to social work emerged from profound personal experiences. Her background has shaped her understanding of human resilience and the transformative power of professional intervention. She has witnessed firsthand the crucial role social work plays in community support.

Now, Dava is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who holds licensure across five states. She is also committed to mentoring prospective social workers through higher education. In fact, Dava currently serves as a visiting associate professor at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Clarksville, Tennessee.

“I find immense fulfillment in shaping the next generation of social work practitioners. This role allows me to maintain a dual focus, providing direct clinical services while contributing to the professional development of future social workers,” she says.

Her background is a unique combination of clinical practice, academic instruction and policy awareness.

“It enables me to serve as both a therapeutic practitioner for individuals in crisis and an educator preparing future social workers for the complex challenges they will face in the field,” Dava adds. “The ability to maintain both roles represents not just a career achievement, but also the fulfillment of a professional calling rooted in personal experience and professional development.”

Dava’s Advice for Transitioning from Social Work to Academia

“First, establishing a robust clinical foundation before transitioning into academia is absolutely necessary,” Dava explains.  

“Second, cultivate professional adaptability and technological competence in today’s evolving landscape of social work practice. The field is rapidly changing, particularly with the expansion of telehealth services and online education.

“Third, a crucial piece of advice is to establish and maintain robust professional networks and support systems across both clinical and academic spheres. Success in dual roles requires more than individual competence – it demands a strong professional community,” she adds.

The integration of clinical practice and academic instruction creates unique opportunities for contributing to the field of social work while maintaining personal and professional growth.

“By following these recommendations and remaining committed to ongoing development in both areas, you can build a rewarding career that impacts both individual clients and future generations of social workers,” Dava says.

“Remember that this path requires patience, flexibility, and dedication to both practice excellence and educational effectiveness. The rewards of this multifaceted career path – witnessing both client growth and student development – make the challenges worthwhile and contribute significantly to the advancement of the social work profession,” she concludes.

Plans for the Future

Dava has a goal to secure tenureship at Austin Peay State University. She also plans to continue supporting the next generation of social workers through both academic instruction and clinical mentorship.

“Drawing from my recent completion of a doctorate in education in community care and counseling with an emphasis in traumatology from Liberty University in May 2024, I aim to bring innovative approaches to trauma-informed education and practice into the academic setting,” Dava says.

She is committed to expanding mentorship opportunities for social work interns within private practices, as well. Integrating clinical supervision with academic instruction creates powerful learning opportunities for students. They can learn how theoretical concepts apply to real-world settings.

By achieving tenure while maintaining an active clinical practice that includes intern supervision, Dava aims to create a comprehensive learning environment that prepares social workers not just for practice, but for excellence in the field.

This integrated approach ensures that future practitioners benefit from both academic rigor and practical experience, preparing them to address the complex challenges of contemporary social work practice.

“The ultimate vision is to establish a model of professional development that demonstrates how academic excellence and clinical expertise can mutually reinforce each other, creating more competent, confident, and effective social work practitioners,” Dava says.

About the Author

John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 15 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.

About Our Department

The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.

The Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.

If you are an alumni community member looking for ways to stay involved, please get in touch with [email protected] to speak with a team member.