Renee Hepperlen

Renee Hepperlen serves as Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Social Work, teaching foundational MSW courses including Human Behavior and the Social Environment and Practice with Individuals and Families. Her pedagogy emphasizes practical application of social work knowledge and student empowerment.

Education:

• PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• AM, University of Chicago
• BA, Gustavus Adolphus College

Her research integrates intellectual/developmental disabilities, psychometric measurement, quantitative methods, maternal/child health, and disability policy. Current international work in Zambia develops community health volunteer curricula and implements Photovoice projects to document family experiences with childhood disabilities and desired community changes.

Publications from 2012-2014 reveal consistent focus on direct support workforce challenges, prenatal genetic screening implications, and Olmstead decision implementation through interdisciplinary disability services research.

With fifteen years of pre-academic practice in maternal/child health and disability services, she holds a University of Minnesota disability policy certificate and quantitative methods minor, bridging clinical experience with scholarly work.