The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (UH GCSW) welcomed roughly 300 new MSW and Ph.D. students to campus this fall, marking the beginning of an exciting new academic year. Alongside its newest class of students, the GCSW is growing its faculty and staff, welcoming seven new members who bring a wealth of professional experience, academic expertise, and new perspectives to the college.
Among those joining the GCSW community are three new staff members: Tina Davis, MBA, Research Administrator 2; Jasmine J. Henry, Associate Director of Development; and Celina Mejia, M.Ed., Academic Advisor III – Online Advisor. Each brings valuable experience to roles that support the college’s research, advancement, and student success efforts.
The College also welcomed four new faculty members whose scholarship spans a range of research interests and areas of social work practice. From behavioral health and education to maternal health, health disparities, and community-engaged research, their work brings new opportunities for collaboration and impact within GCSW, throughout Houston, and beyond. Read on to learn more about the newest faculty joining the GCSW community.
Dr. Omari L. Dyson joins the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work
as associate research professor, bringing expertise in behavioral health, wellness,
workforce development, and community-engaged research.
Originally from the Bronx, New York, with roots in South Carolina and Jamaica, Dr. Omari L. Dyson earned his Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Purdue University. His work is grounded in helping individuals and communities recognize their strengths and create sustainable pathways toward health, connection, and success.
Dr. Dyson was drawn to the GCSW's commitment to social justice, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful impact throughout Houston and beyond.
"Education, research, and service should improve the lived experiences of individuals and communities," He said. "My work is grounded in a strengths-based perspective and a commitment to helping people recognize their capacity for growth, resilience, connection, and leadership."
At the GCSW, Dr. Dyson's research explores the intersection of education, behavioral health, wellness, workforce development, and emerging technology. He looks forward to developing community-informed initiatives and interdisciplinary partnerships that strengthen well-being and expand opportunities across Houston.
Dr. Madison Haiman joins the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work,
bringing expertise in maternal and reproductive health, health equity, and community-engaged
research focused on improving outcomes for pregnant and parenting people.
Originally from Chandler, Arizona, Dr. Madison Haiman spent the past decade living across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Most recently, she lived in Austin, where she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas School of Social Work.
Dr. Haiman was drawn to the GCSW by its strong sense of community and shared commitment to achieving justice. “I am excited to join and collaborate with such a passionate group of current and future social workers.”
At the GCSW, her research will focus on the community, policy, and systems-level needs of pregnant and parenting people to inform equitable and community-driven approaches to maternal and reproductive health. She looks forward to building partnerships with Houston-area mothers, families, community organizations, and interdisciplinary colleagues to improve maternal health throughout the city and state.
She also hopes to help students recognize their ability to advocate for policies and systems that impact the communities they serve, regardless of whether their work is clinical or macro-focused.
For Dr. Haiman, “Charting Our Path to Excellence” means “grounding our research, teaching, and scholarship in the needs of the local community and focusing on real-world impacts.”
Dr. Yok-Fong Paat joins the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work,
bringing expertise in health disparities, violence prevention, data-driven research,
and community-engaged approaches to improving health and well-being.
Dr. Paat earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma, with additional training in data analytics, applied statistics, and clinical epidemiology. Before joining the GCSW, she spent nearly 14 years at the University of Texas at El Paso, where her work with students, colleagues, families, and community partners deepened her understanding of the strengths and challenges of underserved communities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Dr. Paat was drawn to the GCSW by the caliber of its faculty, commitment to impactful scholarship, collaborative culture, and Houston’s diversity.
She looks forward to combining community engagement with rigorous, data-driven approaches to address complex health and social challenges while mentoring students to become thoughtful, evidence-informed social workers and scholars. “What inspires me most as a social worker, educator, and scholar is the opportunity to generate knowledge that can meaningfully improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities,” she shared.
For Dr. Paat, “Charting Our Path to Excellence” means moving forward together through “a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation, and meaningful impact.”
Dr. Terrell Richardson joins the University of Houston Graduate College of Social
Work as assistant professor, bringing expertise in educational success, behavioral
health, and community-engaged research focused on improving outcomes for youth and
emerging adults.
Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Dr. Terrell T. Richardson recently earned his Ph.D. in Social Work from The University of Alabama. Inspired by helping people achieve goals they once believed were impossible, he is committed to empowering students to recognize their strengths and reach their full potential. Richardson credits his undergraduate social work professor, Dr. Shameika Stokes, with inspiring his path into academia through her dedication to teaching, social justice, and connecting theory with practice.
Dr. Richardson was drawn to GCSW because of its commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and community engagement, as well as Houston's diversity and opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
"My work is motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and communities," He said. "I believe social workers have a responsibility to contribute to positive social change through research, teaching, practice, and service."
At the GCSW, Dr. Richardson's research focuses on advancing the "social work of education" by examining how support systems, interventions, and policies can improve educational access, retention, and success. He looks forward to building partnerships that strengthen educational and behavioral health outcomes while helping prepare the next generation of social work leaders.