BSW Program Director and Assistant Professor
Dr. Mary Nienow earned her BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1997, her MSW from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2003, and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2018. Dr. Nienow has over twenty years of experience in research, teaching, advocacy, program coordination, policy development and analysis and community organizing. Dr. Nienow was the co-founder of Grasstops, a nonprofit advocacy organization that assisted nonprofits and small community groups with their policy and advocacy goals. Her extensive practice experience also includes Policy Consultant for Hennepin County Medical Center, Field Director at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Executive Director at Child Care WORKS, and lead researcher on Health and Human Services for the Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus. Prior to joining the St. Catherine University social work faculty as BSW Program Director and Assistant Professor she was an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 2017-2019. Nienow is co-author of the book Whole Person Librarianship: A social work approach to patron services. She has presented on this topic locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Nienow’s additional research interests include professional socialization of macro practice social workers, policy and program development, and community based participatory research.
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About Mary Nienow, PhD, LGSW
Dr. Mary Nienow earned her BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1997, her MSW from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2003, and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, in 2018. Dr. Nienow has over twenty years of experience in research, teaching, advocacy, program coordination, policy development and analysis and community organizing. Dr. Nienow was the co-founder of Grasstops, a nonprofit advocacy organization that assisted nonprofits and small community groups with their policy and advocacy goals. Her extensive practice experience also includes Policy Consultant for Hennepin County Medical Center, Field Director at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Executive Director at Child Care WORKS, and lead researcher on Health and Human Services for the Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus. Prior to joining the St. Catherine University social work faculty as BSW Program Director and Assistant Professor she was an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from 2017-2019. Nienow is co-author of the book Whole Person Librarianship: A social work approach to patron services. She has presented on this topic locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Nienow’s additional research interests include professional socialization of macro practice social workers, policy and program development, and community based participatory research.
| June 2019 - Present | Assistant Professor, St. Catherine University ‐ Social Work | |
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| June 2019 - Present | Program Director, St. Catherine University ‐ Social Work | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
Grants
| 2022 | Professional Socialization of Macro Practice Social Workers |
| GHR Foundation | |
| GHR Foundation Academic Excellence Faculty Conference Award | |
| Role: Presenter | |
| $2,000 | |
| 2020 - 2021 | How Regulation of Macro Practice Social Work Impacts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
| Academic Excellence Grant |
Professional Service and Affiliations
| 2021 - Present | Co-Chair, Assessment Committee | 2021 - Present | Chair, St. Catherine University CAST Advisory Committee | 2020 - Present | Reviewer, Advances in Social Work: Special Issue on Dismantling White Supremacy in Social Work Education | 2020 - Present | Chair, Department of Social Work Policy Curriculum Committee | 2020 - Present | Chair, Department of Social Work Research Curriculum Committee | 2020 - Present | Facilitator, White Anti-Racist Accountability for Learning and Kinship | 2019 - Present | Chair, Licensing for Macro Practice Social Work Workgroup of the Special Commission to Advance Macro Practi | 2019 - Present | Commissioner, Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice | 2010 - Present | Member, Council on Social Work Education | 2003 - Present | Member, National Association of Social Workers | 2021 - 2022 | Member, Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Instructional Design Committee | 2020 - 2021 | Member, St. Catherine University Assessment Committee |
Courses
- Field Education (BSW, MSW)
- Advanced Policy Advocacy (MSW)
- Introduction to Social Work (BSW)
- Social Work with Large Systems (BSW, MSW)
- Social Welfare Policies and Programs (BSW, MSW)
- Social Work Research (BSW)
| 2003 - 2018 | PhD, University of Minnesota | |
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| 2002 - 2003 | MSW, University of Minnesota | |
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| 1993 - 1997 | BSW, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | |
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Contact Information
Mailing Address:
2004 Randolph Avenue, F-15
St. Paul, MN 55105
Office Location: 101 Fontbonne Hall
Office Phone: 651-690-6722 [text and voice]