- Campus:
- IU Indianapolis
Education
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Administrative Leadership — Doctoral Candidate
University of Kentucky, School of Social Work — 2024 – 2026
Capstone proposal: how institutional support systems and pedagogical strategies influence student success among graduate students in health and human services programs, with a focus on social work education - Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Advanced Standing Program
University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work — 2009 - Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Kentucky State University — 2008
Concentration in public child welfare; certification through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Background
- Originally from Lexington, Kentucky
- Over 20 years connections to KY public child welfare system
- Work with clients psychiatric settings
- Created family connections with Family Finding Project Match KY Initiatives
- 13 years of partnerships in initiatives to bridge gaps between youth and parents in community corrections and support for families in faith-based ministry in Indiana
- Leads initiatives educating the community on multiple myeloma cancer awareness
- Author of collaborative manuscripts in social work, empowerment of women, and grief support
- Continues to promote health and wellness to enhance the work of the social work profession and the inspire healthy lifestyles worldwide
International Studies
- Traveled with March of Remembrance Voyage to Poland for Holocaust Studies
- Traveled to London, England and Dublin, Ireland to study dramatic performance in arts and humanities
Professional Teaching and Leadership
- Clinical Associate Professor overseeing various programs on multiple campuses for almost a decade
- Served as Interim Director, leading the MSW Program for the IU Southeast campus for three years
- Worked as a leader in the social work signature pedagogy practicum education program for master’s level students in mental health addictions
- Taught various courses at the undergraduate and graduate level over the years
- With other colleagues, secured practicum education students to be placed in rural communities providing mental health and addiction services
Favorite Quote and Mantra
“Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”
Academic & Professional Portfolio
- Clinical Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Social Work, IU Indianapolis — 2022 – Present - Interim MSW Program Director
Indiana University School of Social Work, Indiana University Southeast — 2022 – 2025 - Clinical Assistant Professor; MSW Field Coordinator
Indiana University School of Social Work, Bloomington — 2016 – 2022
| Term | Course # | Title | Role / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2016 | SSW 423 | Organizations, Theory, and Practice | 3 Credit Hours BSW |
| Spring 2017 | SSW 102 | Diversity in a Pluralistic Society | 3 Credit Hours BSW |
| Spring 2017 | SSW 651 | Practicum II | Field Coordinator |
| Summer 2017 | SSW 652 | Practicum III | Field Coordinator |
| Summer 2017 | SSW 555 | Generalist Practicum | Field Coordination (Pre-Placement) |
| Fall 2017 | SSW 423 | Organizations, Theory, and Practice | 3 Credit Hours BSW |
| Fall 2017 | SSW 651/652 | Practicum Pre-Placement | Field Coordination |
| Spring 2018 | SSW 102 | Diversity in a Pluralistic Society | 3 Credit Hours BSW |
| Spring 2018 | SSW 651 | Practicum II | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2018 | SSW 555 | Generalist Practicum | Field Coordinator |
| Summer 2018 | SSW 652 | Practicum III | Field Coordinator |
| Fall 2018 | SSW 423 | Organizations, Theory, and Practice | 3 Credit Hours BSW |
| Fall 2018 | SSW 651 | Practicum II | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2019 | SSW 652 | Practicum III | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2019 | SSW 555 | Generalist Practicum | Field Coordinator |
| Fall 2019 | SSW 509 | Organizations, Community, and Society | 3 Credit Hour MSW |
| Fall 2019 | SSW 651 | Practicum II | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2020 | SSW 652 | Practicum III | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2020 | SSW 555 | Generalist Practicum | Field Coordinator |
| Fall 2021 | SSW 683 | Mental Health and Addictions | 3 Credit Hours MSW |
| Fall 2022 | SSW 687 | Direct Mental Health and Addiction Groups | 3 Credit Hours MSW |
| Spring 2024 | SSW 683 | Direct Online Practice Course | 3 Credit Hour Course |
| Summer 2025 | SSW 509 | Organizations, Community, and Society (Online) | 3 Credit Hour MSW |
| Fall 2025 | SSW 506 | Foundations of Ethical Social Work Practice | 3 Credit Hour MSW |
| Fall 2025 | SWK 683 | Mental Health and Addictions with Individuals | 3 Credit Hour MSW |
| Term | Course # | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 | SSW 555 | Pre-Placement, Southeast Campus | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2021 | SSW 555 | MSW Generalist Practicum, Southeast Campus | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2021 | SSW 651/652 | MSW Pre-Placement, Southeast Campus | Field Coordinator |
| Fall 2021 | SSW 651 | Practicum II, IU Southeast Campus | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2022 | SSW 652 | Practicum III, IU Southeast Campus | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2022 | SSW 651/652 | MSW Pre-Placement, MSW Direct Online | Field Coordinator |
| Spring 2022 | SSW 555 | MSW Pre-Placement, MSW Direct Online | Field Coordinator |
- Clinical Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Social Work, IU Indianapolis — 2022 – 2025
Provides online instruction for MSW students, serves on curriculum committees, meets with students to support learning needs, and advises leadership on strategies for successful online learning. - Interim MSW Program Director; Clinical Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Social Work, Indiana University Southeast — 2022 – 2025
Provided administrative leadership and coordination for the MSW program including recruitment, advisement, field placement coordination, teaching, faculty hiring, and regional outreach. Co-chair of the U Bring Change to Mind Mental Health Stigma Awareness Program. - Assistant Clinical Professor of MSW Field Instruction and Coordination
Indiana University School of Social Work, Bloomington — 2019 – 2022
Coordinated MSW field education, collaborated with community agencies, advised students, supervised field liaisons, and supported field instructors and agency partners. - MSW Field Coordinator; Clinical Assistant Professor
Indiana University School of Social Work, Bloomington — 2016 – 2019
Recruited and evaluated field placement agencies, advised students through placement processes, mentored MSW students, and taught courses in the MSW program. - Clinical Coordinator
Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County, Bloomington, Indiana — 2015 – 2016
Supervised clinical services for youth in shelter and community programs, facilitated clinical team meetings, maintained client caseloads, and coordinated crisis response services. - Counselor
Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County, Bloomington, Indiana — 2014 – 2015
Provided individual counseling, coordinated care with families and community partners, and delivered trauma-focused interventions for youth. - Energy Assistance Program Case Manager
South Central Community Action Program, Bloomington, Indiana — 2013 – 2014
Assisted clients with utility assistance, maintained confidential records, and collaborated with program staff to ensure accurate case management. - Family Intervention Specialist
Youth Villages of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana — 2013
Delivered in-home therapeutic interventions, conducted family sessions, developed treatment plans, and provided crisis support for families. - Social Service Clinician
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Lexington, Kentucky — 2009 – 2013
Provided case management for youth in foster care, coordinated permanency planning with courts and service providers, and supported youth transitioning to independent living. - Student Therapist, Master’s Practicum
Chrysalis House, Lexington, Kentucky — 2008 – 2009
Provided counseling services for women and youth in substance use treatment and facilitated relapse prevention and parenting groups.
Bradley (2026) Title of Research (CAPSTONE) under review by the University of Kentucky
- Howard, N., Beaty, L., Carter, A., Gordon, S., Little, L., Patton, T., & Sanders, R. (2022). Shattered pieces (1st printing). Howard Publishing Press LLC.
- Scott, C., Crawford-Sumerall, S. N., Ford, S., Gordon, S. B., Jones, Q. M., Harris, D., & White, B. (2023). It takes a village. Curls & Coils Literary Solutions.
- Friend, R., Gordon, S., Swango, I., Elore, L., Parks, Y., Obajeno, T., Fisher, L., & Johnson, E. (2023). A woman’s legacy phase 3. Rosalind Friend.
- IUSSW Directors Handbook Planning Committee Co-Chair
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2022 – Present - System-Wide IUSSW Student Support and Wellness Committee
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2022 – Present - IU Southeast Mental Health and Wellness Team
Indiana University Southeast — 2022 – Present - School of Social Sciences Search and Screen Committee
Indiana University Southeast — 2023 - IUSSW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Field Research Team
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2022 - IUSSW Field Learning Plan Co-Chair
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2021 – Present - IUSSW Field Mental Health and Addictions Activities Guide Chair
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2021 - IU Phase Mentoring Panel Participant
Indiana University — 2021 - Spring Women’s Health Panelist
Indiana State University — 2021 - IU School of Social Work Field Student Orientation Committee
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2020 - IU School of Social Work Field Agency Orientation Committee
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2020 - IU School of Social Work Special Field Placements Planning Group
Indiana University School of Social Work - IU Center for Rural Engagement Grant Synch Group
Indiana University — Bloomington - Mentoring Services and Leadership Development Participant
Indiana University — 2018 – 2019 - IUSSW Recruitment Team
Indiana University School of Social Work — Bloomington - Career Spotlight Graduate Fair Recruitment
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2018 – 2022 - IU Health Hospital Pediatric and Teens Planning Group
Indiana University — Bloomington - Mental Health Task Force with Community Agencies
Indiana University — Bloomington - Family Mediation Planning Group
Indiana University and Maurer School of Law — Bloomington - Black Faculty Committee
Indiana University — Bloomington - Faculty Senate Committee
Indiana University School of Social Work — Statewide - MSW Committee
Indiana University School of Social Work — Statewide - Field Team Member
Indiana University School of Social Work — Bloomington - MSW Graduation Coordinator
Indiana University School of Social Work — Bloomington - Field Advisory Council Co-Facilitator
Indiana University School of Social Work — Bloomington - Search and Screen Committee Member
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2018 - IUSSW Recruitment Fair
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2018 - DCS Scholars Interview Team
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2018 - IUSSW Recruitment and Welcome Booth, CSWE Annual Program Meeting
Council on Social Work Education Conference — 2018 - Dean’s Strategic Planning Initiative: Affirming Culture and Community
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2019 - Dean’s Strategic Planning Initiative: Activating Our Voices
Indiana University School of Social Work — 2019 - Streets Paved with Gold March and Resource Fair
Community event coordinated by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. — 2019
- Induction, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Graduate Chapter
Bloomington, Indiana — 2014 – 2019 - Financial Officer
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 – 2018 - Finer Womanhood Tea Chair
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - City of Bloomington Citizen’s Academy Participant
City of Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana — 2014 - Member
Bloomington Black Leaders Strategic Alliance, Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 – 2018 - Member
Kids with Absent Parents Initiative, Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 – 2019 - Member
Thriving Connections, South Central Community Action, Bloomington, Indiana — 2018 – 2021 - Board Member
Mental Health America of Monroe County, Bloomington, Indiana — 2019 – 2022 - Youth Advisory Committee Member
City of Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana — 2020 - Governance Team Member
Mental Health America of Monroe County, Bloomington, Indiana — 2020 – 2022 - Member
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Graduate Chapter, Lexington, Kentucky — 2020 – 2021 - IU Bring Change to Mind Mental Health Stigma Reduction Initiative
Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana — 2023 – 2025 - Board Officer
Weathering Storms, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky — 2023 – Present - Board Member
Family Ark, Inc., Jeffersonville, Indiana — 2023 – 2024
- Volunteer
Community Kitchen, Bloomington, Indiana — 2016 - Youth GLOW Program Volunteer
Bethel AME Church, Bloomington, Indiana — 2016 - Volunteer
Kids with Absent Parents Initiative, Adult Program, Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - Volunteer
Brave Mary Family Health and Wellness Service, Indiana and Kentucky — 2019 – Present - Volunteer
Bethel AME Food Donation Program, Bloomington, Indiana — 2020 – 2021 - Volunteer
IU Health Congregational Care Network with Bethel AME, Bloomington, Indiana — 2021 – 2022 - Participant
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Clarksville, Indiana — 2023 - Attendee
Louisville YMCA Black Achievers Banquet with Indiana University, Louisville, Kentucky — 2023
- Brown, J., Quinn, C., & Gordon, S.
Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting — 2020
Accepted proposal; not presented due to COVID-19 pandemic - Gordon, S. — Promoting Mental Health Awareness
Howard Publishing Women’s Conference, Bloomington, Indiana — 2019 - Gordon, S. — Barriers to Treatment among Minority Groups
South Central Region Opioid Summit, Bloomington, Indiana — 2018 - Gordon, S. — MLK Summit Facilitator
IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - Gordon, S.
Kentucky State University School of Social Work PCWCP, Frankfort, Kentucky — 2010 - Hippie, J., & Gordon, S. — Navigating the Critical, Complex Puzzle Pieces: Field Education and Law Enforcement
Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Anaheim, California — 2022 - Gordon, S., & Hippie, J. — Navigating the Critical, Complex Puzzle Pieces: Field Education and Law Enforcement
University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana — 2023 - Gordon, S. — Mental Health and Policing
Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, Indiana — 2023 - Gordon, S. — Identifying and Transforming Secondary Traumatic Stress
Indiana University School of Social Work CEU Event in collaboration with Family Ark, Jeffersonville, Indiana — 2023 - Gordon, S. — Mental Health Awareness in the Church
Bethel AME Women’s Missionary Society, Bloomington, Indiana — 2023 - Gordon, S.
The Wellness Collective Social Work Brunch, Baltimore, Maryland — 2023 - Hippie, J., & Gordon, S. — Small Changes, Big Ripples: Addressing Challenges and Opportunities of Practicum Placements in Complex Systems
Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia — 2023 - Gordon, S. — Celebrating Our Diversity
IU Southeast Mental Health and Wellness Series, New Albany, Indiana - Gordon, S. — We Are Better Together
Queen Me Women’s Conference, Lexington, Kentucky — 2024 - Gordon, S. — Birthing the Book Writing Process
Queen Me Women’s Conference, Lexington, Kentucky — 2025
- “Queen Me” Women’s Conference
Lexington, Kentucky — 2025 - IUS Mental Health Summit
New Albany, Indiana — 2024 - “Queen Me” Women’s Conference
Lexington, Kentucky — 2024 - Women’s Empowerment Brunch
Lexington, Kentucky — 2023 - “Queen Me” Women’s Conference
Lexington, Kentucky — 2023 - IUS Mental Health Summit
New Albany, Indiana — 2023 - University of Southern Indiana Social Work Conference
Evansville, Indiana — 2023 - Council on Social Work Education Membership
Professional membership — 2022 - NACADA Webinar: When Black Girl Magic Isn't Enough
Webinar — 2021 - COFE Social Work Workshop
Webinar — 2021 - IU Promotion and Tenure Training
Webinar — 2020 - Anti-Racism Training with CASA
Bloomington, Indiana — 2020 - CSWE Annual Program Meeting
Denver, Colorado — 2019 - CSWE Annual Program Meeting
Lake Buena Vista, Florida — 2018 - Master’s and Clinical Level Social Work Exam Preparation Course
Lexington, Kentucky — 2018 - Council on Social Work Education Conference
Dallas, Texas — 2017 - City of Bloomington Opioid Summit
Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - Take Action Indiana Health LINC Conference
Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - IU Course Development Institute
Bloomington, Indiana — 2017 - IARCA Leadership Symposium
Nashville, Indiana — 2017 - Darkness to Light Training on Sexual Abuse
Susie’s Place, Bloomington, Indiana — 2016 - IARCA Training on Clinical Supervisors and Leadership
Indianapolis, Indiana — 2016 - Fred Pryor Staff to Supervisor Training
Indianapolis, Indiana — 2016 - DSM-V Changing Diagnosis Training
Indianapolis, Indiana — 2015 - Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training
Indianapolis, Indiana — 2015 - Kentucky School for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Conference
Covington, Kentucky — 2011 - Understanding and Assessing Adolescents Training
Bowling Green, Kentucky — 2010 - Joining Hands Together for Medically Fragile Children
Lexington, Kentucky — 2009 - Family Finding Project Match Training
Lexington, Kentucky — 2009 - Council on Social Work Education Conference
San Francisco, California — 2007
- IU Celebration of Promotions Recognition
Center for Excellence for Women & Technology, Indiana University — 2022 - Community Impact Grant
Center for Rural Engagement, Indiana University — 2019 - Ethel McClendon Social Work Award
Kentucky State University — 2008 - Study Abroad Program for English Study
London and Dublin — 2008 - Induction into Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society
Kentucky State University — 2007 - March of Remembrance Voyage for Holocaust Studies
Poland and England — 2006