Heidi Mercer

Heidi Mercer serves as Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Field Education at Bluffton University, where she shapes practical training for social work students through community engagement and field placements.

Her research centers on community-based social work with expertise in family systems, resilience development, and homelessness interventions. Dr. Mercer's international experience in the United Kingdom profoundly influenced her approach to cross-cultural practice and understanding how individuals recover from trauma. She draws inspiration from Jane Addams' settlement house model and emphasizes nonprofit organizational dynamics in community support systems.

As Director of Field Education, she oversees student placements across diverse community agencies, designing hands-on learning experiences that bridge classroom theory with real-world practice. Her mentorship philosophy focuses on cultivating student adaptability through the principle 'bloom where you are planted,' encouraging professional growth within challenging environments.