Dr. Trina Shanks

Professor

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Biography

Trina R. Shanks is the Director of the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan and a Harold R. Johnson Collegiate Professor. Her research focuses on the impact of poverty and wealth on child well-being, asset-building policy and practice, and community economic development. She oversees the Center for Equitable Family and Community Well-Being and is actively involved in various projects aimed at empowering families and communities. Shanks has served as the faculty advisor for the New Leaders African-Centered Social Work Program and has been a research investigator for the Saving Education, Entrepreneurship, and Downpayment (SEED) demonstration program, consulting on child savings account initiatives. Her work engages with six Detroit communities as part of the Good Neighborhoods program, and she has conducted evaluations for Detroit's Summer Youth Employment Program. Shanks has received numerous awards for her contributions to social work and community service, demonstrating a commitment to social justice and equity. She holds a PhD in Social Work from Washington University and a Master’s in Comparative Social Research from the University of Oxford.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

2018-01-01 — Present

School of Social Work, University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Leads community engagement and oversees strategic initiatives for the School.

Faculty Associate

— Present

Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research • Ann Arbor, MI

Involved in various research projects related to community engagement and social justice.

Awards

#

DEI Faculty Impact Award

2024-01-01
#

2024 SSWR Social Policy Award

2024-01-01
#

Distinguished Faculty Award

2023-01-01
#

Fellow

2022-01-01
#

Innovation Research Teaching Award

2021-01-01
#

Harold R. Johnson Collegiate Chair

2020-01-01
#

Role Model Award

2013-01-01

Courses

Social Work Capstone Essentials of Community Organization Practice Advanced Topics in Global Social Work Practice Management & Leadership

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science