Jennifer Crowell Thompson

Biography

I have worked in the Department of Social Work since 2008. Since arriving at Belmont, I have taught in the Human Behavior Sequence, Policy and Policy Practice, Social Work Research, Introduction to Social Work, and First Year Seminar. I received my doctorate in 2007 from the College of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee in 1999 and my Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2003.

From my early work as a teacher-counselor at a treatment program affiliated with Vanderbilt University, to my time in the Tennessee State Comptroller’s Office and more recent work in the area of women’s health education, I have gained valuable experience in both policy and direct practice. This experience has served as a solid foundation for both my time in the classroom as well as my current research agenda, wherein I have focused on student’s comfortability in engaging in practice related to Social Welfare Policy.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, my husband Matt, my two daughters Mae and Lila, and our dogs George and Rosie. I also love running, reading, hiking, and listening to live music around Nashville.

Throughout my time at Belmont, I have been continuously honored and humbled to participate in the development and growth of students. I feel it is my great privilege to share in their journey toward becoming empathic and effective social work practitioners who not only have a command of the facts related to their area of practice, but also have the ability to respond to their clients with sensitivity as they partner with them in navigating their challenges in thoughtful, measured, and responsible ways.