Ethan Engelhardt

Ethan Engelhardt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work at Auburn University. He joined the university in Fall 2023, bringing expertise in social work education, child welfare systems, and mental health interventions. Previously, he worked in community-based mental health settings and contributed to a national grant addressing student suicide prevention. His research focuses on improving foster care outcomes, enhancing social work education, and understanding caregiver-agency dynamics.

Education:

• PhD, University of Kentucky
• MSW, Arizona State University
• BASW, Asbury University

Research Interests:

• Foster parent retention and recruitment strategies
• Child welfare worker support systems
• Innovative teaching methods in undergraduate social work
• Student engagement in classroom environments

Articles Overview: Recent work includes studies on peer teaching models in social work education, foster parent mental health, and disaster response communication for aging populations. His scholarship bridges practice and policy, emphasizing actionable solutions for vulnerable populations.

Grants & Experience:

• National grant for K-12 student suicide prevention
• Clinical counseling and crisis intervention experience

Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary initiatives within Auburn’s Social Work Program focusing on community-based interventions.