Noell L. Rowan

Noell Rowan, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, CCS is Professor, School of Social Work, as well as Founder and overseer of the Substance Use Disorders and Addictions Program within the School of Social Work (2015-present). She has worked to secure consecutive years of funding to enhance the number of licensed clinical addiction specialists in the state of North Carolina. She has served CHHS, School of Social Work as Coordinator, BSW Program (2013-2018); and Associate Director (2016-2021). She served for several years on the Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Board. She has authored more than 50 publications, collaborated on multiple research projects (local, state, and federal funding sources), and has been the recipient of several research and teaching awards. Some of these awards include: UNCW, CHHS, Distinguished Researcher of the year (2024); Distinguished Scholar and Fellow, National Academies of Practice, Social Work Academy (FNAP); Gerontological Society of America Fellows Award (FGSA); Association for Gerontological Education in Social Work,
Mit Joyner and AGESW Gerontology Leadership Award; Recovery Hero Award, UNCW, CROSSROADS, CRC Seahawks; Kentucky Association of Gerontology Distinguished Educator Achievement Award;
David A. Peterson Award for being lead author for Best Article in the Volume of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education to recognize excellence in scholarship in academic gerontology; Best LGBT Research Award,
Ball State University Diversity Research Symposium. Prior to joining UNCW in 2013, she was Director, BSW Program, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville from its inception and assisted to create the first Interdisciplinary Wellness Coaching Minor.

Education

Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Louisville (joint program with University of Kentucky)
MSW, University of Georgia
BSW, University of Georgia

Specialization in Teaching

Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictions
Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders/Food and Exercise Addictions
Life Transitions and Human Development in the Social Environment

Research Interests

Gerontology
LGBTQ populations
Substance Use Disorders/Addictions and recovery including spirituality and mental health
Interprofessional education including simulations and impact on social work education and practice

Professional Service

Chairperson, Faculty Athletic Council, UNCW (2022-present)
Chancellor's Committee on Substance Abuse, UNCW
Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Board (2015-2018)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, North Carolina
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, North Carolina
Certified Clinical Supervisor, North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board
Certified in Forest Therapy, The Forest Therapy School

Community Engagement

Chairperson, Community Engagement Council, The Healing Place of New Hanover County
Frank Harr Foundation Board Member, (2013-2018)
Advisory Council, Community Partner, Administration for Community Living Project, Lower Cape Fear Life Care and multiple community partners in the field of aging

Honors & Awards

Distinguished Researcher of the year (2024), College of Health and Human Services, UNCW
Distinguished Research Scholar and Fellow, National Academies of Practice, Social Work Academy, FNAP (2018)
Distinguished Fellow, Gerontological Society of America, FGSA (2017-2018)
Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work, Mit Joyner and AGESW Leadership Award (2016)
Recovery Hero Award, UNCW CROSSROADS and CRC Seahawks, (2015)
David A. Peterson Scholarship Award , The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, for being lead author in the Best Article in the Volume of Gerontology and Geriatrics Education Award (2010-2011)
John A. Hartford Foundation, Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar, named one of six researchers in the United States to conduct geriatric research (2010-2012)
Best LGBT Research Award, Ball State University Diversity Research Symposium (2009)
Distinguished Educator Achievement Award (2007) by Kentucky Association of Gerontology for exceptional effort in teaching geriatrics and gerontology in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Metroversity Award for Instructional Development, (2006 ) by Metroversity, Inc. for innovative teaching in gerontology and community project entitled “Searching for GEMS: Geriatric Evaluation and Self Management Services."