H. Stephen Cooper

Biography

H. Stephen Cooper, MSW, PhD, LCSW is the Department Chair and a Professor of Social Work.  Dr. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in social work from The University of Texas at Austin.  He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by both the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners and the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.  He has primarily taught research, statistics, social policy, and macro practice.  His work experience includes law enforcement; child and adolescent mental health; residential treatment; administration; rural network planning and development; and community capacity building.  Dr. Cooper has more than 25 years of practice experience in rural communities including leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of multiple successful efforts to build community and regional collaboratives to address challenges related to mental health care, substance abuse, healthcare, wellness, and well-being.  His research interests include rural social work, community capacity building, interorganizational relationships, child and adolescent mental health, juvenile delinquency, and civic engagement.  Dr. Cooper is currently serving as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.