Rebecca Clark
Social Work and Sociology
Associate Professor and Chair of the Dept of Social Work
Biography
Rebecca Clark is the Department Chair for Social Work and Sociology, Social Work Program Director, and Associate Professor of Social Work, joining the faculty full time in 2018. Prior to her full-time appointment, Prof. Clark was an adjunct instructor in the BSW program for eight years, teaching online classes. Prof. Clark has worked in higher education for over 25 years, in Massachusetts, West Virginia, and at Lipscomb. In addition to being a full-time faculty member, she has led programming in Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, as well as serving on state-wide task groups with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Prior to coming to Lipscomb, Prof. Clark was the Dean of Student Life at Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, WV, and Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences.
Rebecca’s practice experience includes clinical social work in both in-patient and out-patient behavioral health settings with individuals, groups, and families, and providing therapy in residential treatment settings. She has also worked with a geriatric psychiatrist in long-term care settings, and has experience as a medical social worker. She is certified in Mediation and Conflict Management through the Pittsburg Mediation Center. Prof. Clark is also a trained spiritual director, having completed a two-year training program in Spiritual Direction through the Institute for Christian Spirituality at Lipscomb University. She is also trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, and a certified Ignatian spiritual director guide. Additionally, she holds a post-graduate certificate in Trauma Treatment through the University of Tennessee’s School of Social Work.
She is currently part of the Respect Leads Diversity and Inclusion Council at Lipscomb University. Her academic research interests include the use of spirituality and spiritual practices in social work and spiritual formation, and the intersection of spiritual/religious trauma and spiritual formation. Prof. Clark is passionate in partnering with students to integrate personal faith and vocational pursuits.
Prof. Clark earned the BSW from Harding University, and the MSW from West Virginia University. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation program at Portland Seminary, through George Fox University.
Academic Degrees
BSW - Harding University
MSW - West Virginia University