Dr. Warren, MSW, PhD, LSW, (pronouns: she/her) studied at the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American studies. She continued her training, with a focus on clinical service, at her alma mater and earned a Master’s and PhD in social work. During her graduate training, Dr. Warren took specialized coursework for completion of a certification in women, gender, and sexuality studies. Dr. Warren has studied abroad in Costa Rica and conducted research on work with refugees and indigenous peoples in Croatia and Guatemala. She has conducted research on three continents and has published on mindful mental health treatments and practices.
Dr. Warren works with diverse people in community settings focused on addressing unjust systems of oppression. Her experiences also include working with Native Americans, people of Latin American descent, survivors of sexual assault, and individuals who present with sexuality issues. Dr. Warren is a trainer and facilitator in the Our Whole Lives comprehensive human sexuality curriculum. She leads workshops on White Supremacy culture, human diversity, managing workplace change and conflict, mindfulness, and becoming a more inclusive organization.
Dr. Warren has teaching experience as an Assistant Professor in the department of social Work at Clark University (Dubuque, Iowa) and at the University of Wisconsin (Green Bay). She has taught Master’s level courses including: HBSE, Policy Analysis, Research, Spirituality, Advanced Issues in Aging and Spirituality. Some of her publications include:
- Warren, S. & Chappell Deckert, J. (2020). Contemplative practices for self-care in the social work classroom. Social Work (Special Issue on Self-Care for the Social Work Profession), 65(1), 11-20.
- Chappell Deckert, J., Warren, S. & Britton, H. (2018). Midwestern service provider narratives of migrant experiences: Legibility, vulnerability, and exploitation in human trafficking. Advances in Social Work, Special Issue Immigrants and Refugees,18(3), 887-910. DOI:
- Warren, S. (2016). The U visa for immigrant victims of violent crime: What social workers need to know. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 25(4), 320-324. DOI:
She is an experienced licensed clinical social worker who works with adults. Her areas of interest include human diversity and anti-oppressive social work practice, international social work, and spiritual diversity in social work practice. She has worked with organizations all over the U.S. to assess their programming for justice-focused inclusivity and accessibility. Dr. Warren is "thrilled to join the prestigious Mandel School" and "cannot wait to support students, staff, and faculty in creating a just and equitable community of belonging where all are welcomed.
Why I Teach
I knew early in my doctoral education that I wanted to teach. Facilitating students' connections of their own experiences to social work values to find wisdom in their reflections is pure joy for me. To help students learn more about the world, social problems, and individual implications of those problems is satisfying and life-changing work that I love.
Why I Chose this Profession
I stumbled into social work and fell in love with the idea of helping people garner skills and get resources to live lives they value. The multifaceted approach at micro, mezzo, and macro levels speaks to my desire to offer tangible support while also addressing the inequities in systems that perpetuate individual problems and social injustices.