Stephanie Hartwell

Stephanie Hartwell (known as Steffi) is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University, Detroit, and holds academic appointments as Professor of Sociology and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry. Her research focuses on urban transitions, trauma resilience, and community engagement for vulnerable populations, particularly formerly incarcerated individuals and gun violence survivors. She has secured $8 million in grants and published over 50 peer-reviewed works.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, Yale University (1995)
• B.A. in Sociology and Art History, Bucknell University (1990)

Her work bridges sociology, mental health, and environmental justice, examining how Detroit's periphery neighborhoods—marked by blight and service deserts—exacerbate health disparities and social decay. She emphasizes university-community partnerships like Auntie Na’s Village, a model for addressing trauma, resource gaps, and structural inequities through grassroots collaboration.

Scholarly trends show her leadership in studying institutional-to-community transitions, with a focus on policy design, data harmonization, and behavioral health outcomes. Her 2020s research on post-incarceration education pipelines and trauma interventions underscores systemic solutions for marginalized groups.

Scientific Awards:

• Chancellor's Medal for Distinguished Teaching (UMass Boston, 2012)
• Gary Burnstein Community Health Center Esteemed Woman of Michigan

Grants & Collaborations: She led Kresge-funded projects creating Detroit community gardens, walking tracks, and tutoring spaces. Her lab teams partner with Auntie Na’s Village to address food insecurity, digital divides, and trauma resilience in underserved neighborhoods.