Tamara Davis, Ph.D., Dean and Professor at the IU School of Social Work, was presented with an IUPUI Chancellor’s Medallion by Interim Chancellor Andrew R. Klein on June 7, 2023. Davis was honored for her commitment to supporting the school’s students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as her work to eliminate disparities and inequities in mental health care for diverse and underserved populations.
During her tenure as dean, Davis spearheaded the School of Social Work’s strategic planning process, including a renewal of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, Dean Davis joined the university on the same day that IU Fort Wayne was established as an independent education center with a specific focus on the health sciences, including social work. With her collegial approach, Dean Davis has joined other health sciences deans in strengthening opportunities for students pursuing careers in the health professions in northeast Indiana. In addition, Dean Davis was instrumental in securing the two largest philanthropic gifts ever received by the school and more than doubled the total amount of student scholarships awarded.
Her other areas of interest include culturally relevant mental health services and systems, innovations in mixed methods research and leadership/administration. Additionally, her professional focus has encompassed child and youth mental health, child welfare, juvenile diversion, family-based services and community-based planning and evaluation.
Dean Davis earned a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, the M.S.S.W. and a B.S. degree at the University of Louisville. She was a post-doctoral fellow with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin.