Angela Lavery

Dr. Angela Lavery is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, located within the College of Education and Social Work's Department of Social Work. She holds a BS in Human Development from Pennsylvania State University, an MSW from the University of Wyoming, and a PhD in Social Work from the University of Denver. Her research focuses on gerontology and thanatology, addressing ageism, elder abuse, end-of-life care, disability advocacy, and animal-assisted interventions.

Dr. Lavery has presented at national conferences such as the Council on Social Work Education and the Gerontological Society of America, with recent work exploring critical gerontology education, mental health among older adults at risk of financial exploitation, and innovative mixed-methods research techniques. Her community engagement includes board memberships with Barclay Friends and the Resource Pantry, as well as contributions to gerontological curriculum development.

Her scholarly contributions span over a decade, with notable publications in Social Work Research and Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Awards include West Chester University's Outstanding Advisor recognition (2019) and the Gerontological Social Work Pre-Dissertation Award (2011).

Dr. Lavery’s practice experience includes hospice social work, grief counseling, and work with survivors of crime. She maintains clinical licensure and has facilitated caregiver support groups. Her current projects emphasize intergenerational collaborations, digital storytelling, and justice-oriented pedagogy in social work education.