Rate My Professor Erin Stevenson

Dr. Erin Stevenson is an Associate Professor and BSW Program Director in the Department of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S.W. from the University of Kentucky, as well as a B.A. from Centre College. With over 20 years of experience as an educator, she focuses on research, policy, and human behavior within the field of social work.

Her research specializations include the academic success of first-generation college students, strengths and resilience in LGBTQIA+ and queer communities, addiction recovery, adolescent development and mental health, restorative justice programs for rural youth, and disparities in rural and urban communities. Key publications feature Stevenson and Saulnier's 'The impact of anti-DEI legislation on LGBTQ+ college students: A survey of trends' in the Journal of Social Work and Welfare Policy (2025); Lavy-Joy, Stevenson, Sandlin, and Scroggins' 'Exploring variations in online university students' perception of belonging' in the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration (2025); Stevenson, Powell's 'Building Inclusive Classrooms: Identifying & Addressing Subtle Acts of Exclusion' in Pedagogicon Conference Proceedings (2025); Stevenson, Reid, and Binion's 'First-generation college students in online degree programs' in The American Journal of Distance Education (2024); Stevenson, Sandman, and McGinn's 'The role of stigma on LGBTQIA+ youth in rural and urban areas' in Youth (2024); Stevenson and Sandman's 'In their own words: LGBTQIA+ stigma in secondary school' in Youth (2024); and Stevenson and Saulnier's 'Grit, social support, and academic success of youth formerly in foster care' in the Journal of Social Work and Welfare Policy (2024). Earlier works include 'Building a restorative justice diversion program for youth in rural areas' in the International Journal on Social and Education Sciences (2023), studies on chronic non-cancer pain and medication-assisted treatment outcomes for opiate addiction (2014-2015), tobacco use and psychiatric comorbidity among adolescents in substance abuse treatment (2011), and perceptions of barriers to health, mental health, and criminal justice services for rural and urban survivors of rape (2004-2005). Stevenson has earned Thank-a-Professor EKU Faculty Recognitions from students in 2024 and 2025, served as Invited Speaker at the Phi-Alpha Honor Society Induction Ceremony in 2025, and received the EKU Distinguished Service Award in August 2025. She develops open educational resources for courses such as SWK 225 and SWK 340 and mentors undergraduate research projects.