Dawn Anderson-Butcher is a professor in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University and a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) in the State of Ohio. She also holds a courtesy appointment in Physical Activity and Educational Services in Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology. She has a B.A. in psychology, a B.S. in exercise and sport sciences, and a M.S. in health and sport studies, all from Miami University. She also has a M.S.W. and Ph.D. from the University of Utah. Her primary research interests focus on positive youth development in various social settings, such as schools, afterschool programs, and youth sport. Her secondary research interests include exploring how school-family-community partnerships maximize school- and community-based resources for learning and healthy development, especially in communities serving vulnerable children and families. Her research in these areas has been widely published. At OSU, Dr. Anderson-Butcher serves as the Executive Director of the Community and Youth Development Institute (CAYCI), as well as the Co-Executive Director for the OSU LiFEsports Initiative (lifesports.osu.edu).
Professor Anderson-Butcher is a Fellow in the American Association of Social Work and Social Welfare, as well as a Research Fellow in both the Society of Health and Physical Educators and the Society of Social Work Researchers. She has won numerous awards for her scholarship, such as the Gary A. Shaffer Award for Academic Contributions to the Field of School Social Work, the Community Engaged Scholar Award at Ohio State, Alumni Profound Impact Award at Miami University, the Kristen Marie Gould Endowed Lecturer on Sport for Children and Youth at Michigan State University, and the Evaluation Recognition Award at the Ohio Program Evaluators Group.
Education
PhD – University of Utah, 2000 – Exercise and Sport Sciences
MSW – University of Utah, 1997 – Social Work
MS – Miami University, 1994 – Exercise and Sport Science
BA – Miami University, 1992 – Psychology
BS – Miami University, 1992 – Health and Sport Studies
Areas of Expertise
Positive youth development in various social settings, including schools, afterschool programs and youth sports
Maximizing student and school outcomes through school-family-community partnerships
Exercise and sport science
School social work practice and research
Areas of Interest for Mentoring PhD Students
Sport social work
Positive youth development in various social settings, including schools
Afterschool programs and youth sports
School-family-community partnerships
School social work
Exercise and sport science
