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Heather Edwards
Assistant Teaching Professor, Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Office:
- Dickson Hall
- Email:
- edwardsh@montclair.edu
- vCard:
- Download vCard
Profile
Heather R. Edwards, Ph.D., LMSW, BSW joined the Department of Social Work & Child Advocacy as an Assistant Teaching Professor on September 1, 2024; she transitioned from the role of Adjunct Faculty that she held since Fall 2021. As of Fall 2025, she is also the Associate Program Director for the MSW Program. In this capacity, she primarily focuses on supporting innovative quality accessible education in the new online MSW track.
Dr. Edwards received her Ph.D. and master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University, an HBCU founded in 1867 for the education of formerly enslaved persons. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining the Montclair State University faculty, Dr. Edwards held several academic positions in the Schools of Social Work at the University of Maryland Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Wayne State University, and University of Texas at Arlington.
Dr. Edwards’ practice experience includes foster care social work, consulting with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and community organizing. She has published research on child welfare policy making at the federal level, and her focus has shifted to addressing academic trauma and increasing students’ self-efficacy.
Dr. Edwards thoroughly enjoys facilitating learning, and she draws from over fifteen years of teaching experience to do it in a way that increases the effectiveness of professionals working with vulnerable children and families. Her courses use technology, games, music, and other innovative strategies to promote learning. She believes that professions improving the lives of vulnerable children and families will benefit from a diverse workforce, and she strives to create courses that will foster that diversity.
Specialization
Federal child welfare policymaking
Synchronous and asychronous virtual education
Office Hours
Fall
- Tuesday
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- I look forward to seeing you! Google Meet link: meet.google.com/egt-ssxb-ehm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- I look forward to seeing you! Google Meet link: meet.google.com/egt-ssxb-ehm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- I look forward to seeing you! Google Meet link: meet.google.com/egt-ssxb-ehm