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PhD, LCSW-C
Dr. Dawn Thurman
Educator · Clinical Social Worker · Researcher · Entrepreneur
Advancing Social Work Through AIReady. Set. Grow! · Note Genie · Discerna
PhD, MSW · LCSW-C · Howard University
About
A career at the intersection of social work, education, and technology
Dr. Dawn Thurman is an Associate Professor and Transfer Coordinator in the BSW Department at Morgan State University's School of Social Work. She is also the CEO and Clinical Director of Ready. Set. Grow!, a psychotherapy and acupuncture group practice, and the founder of two technology ventures built for the social work profession: Note Genie and Discerna.
Her work centers on preparing the behavioral health workforce for emerging technologies. She served as Principal Investigator on two CEAMLS AI research projects and is Principal Investigator on the SHIELD Behavioral Health Training Program, a SAMHSA SOR-IV funded initiative training social work students in substance use disorder prevention and intervention.
Across every role, her focus stays the same: helping social workers use technology ethically, efficiently, and in service of the clients and communities they serve.
Research
Research interests and current projects
Dr. Thurman's scholarship examines how artificial intelligence intersects with social work practice, education, and workforce development.
- Ethical AI Integration in Social Work Practice and Education — examining responsible, privacy-conscious adoption of AI tools in clinical and academic settings.
- Behavioral Health Workforce Development — preparing students and practitioners for evolving practice demands, including substance use disorder prevention and intervention through SHIELD.
- Technology Innovation in Social Work Education — developing curriculum and tools, including Discerna, that build AI literacy across BSW and MSW programs.
Manuscript in Preparation
Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Education: An Exploratory Study of Awareness, Applications, and Ethical Considerations
With M. Littlefield, G. Gibson, R. Porter, L. Townsend, and R. Wells-Wilbon. An exploratory study of awareness, applications, and ethical considerations of AI in social work education.
Manuscript in Preparation
Ethical Considerations for Artificial Intelligence in Social Work Practice
With M. Littlefield, G. Gibson, L. Townsend, R. Porter, and R. Wells-Wilbon. Examines the ethical considerations raised by AI adoption in social work practice.
Grant
SHIELD Behavioral Health Training Program
SAMHSA SOR-IV funded program training social work students in substance use disorder prevention and intervention. Principal Investigator.
Teaching
Courses and curriculum development
Dr. Thurman teaches and develops curriculum for BSW students at Morgan State University and chairs doctoral dissertations and capstones.
- SOWK 3XX: AI Literacy and Ethics in Social Work Practice — a full course build including lecture decks, an instructor demo guide, and a program gap analysis.
- SOWK 436: Senior Seminar — capstone-level instruction and evaluation for graduating BSW students.
- Doctoral dissertation and capstone chair, DSW program.
Consulting
Consulting and advisory work
Dr. Thurman advises organizations and institutions on ethical AI adoption in behavioral health and social work education.
AI Strategy for Behavioral Health Organizations
Guidance on evaluating and implementing AI tools while protecting client privacy and clinical integrity.
Curriculum and Workforce Training
Support for social work programs building AI literacy into coursework and field education.
Grant and Program Development
Support for behavioral health training programs, from concept through funded implementation.
Speaking
Speaking engagements
Dr. Thurman speaks on AI ethics, behavioral health workforce development, and technology in social work education.
DSW Immersion
Liberation-Informed AI Ethics
A session presented to a Doctor of Social Work Immersion cohort on applying a liberation-informed lens to AI ethics in practice.
DSW Immersion · May 2026
AI and Social Work Practice: Generative AI and the Current State of Social Work Practice
Social Work and AI Workshops, DSW Immersion Project, Morgan State University School of Social Work.
DSW Immersion · May 2026
Using AI for Literature Search, Reviews, and Citations
Social Work and AI Workshops, DSW Immersion Project, Morgan State University School of Social Work.
Projects
Ventures
Three organizations, one mission: advancing social work through ethical, practical technology.
Ready. Set. Grow!
A psychotherapy and acupuncture group practice based in Bowie, Maryland. Dr. Thurman serves as CEO and Clinical Director.
Note Genie
An AI-powered clinical documentation tool built to help social workers and helping professionals write progress notes more efficiently.
Discerna
An AI-powered EdTech platform for social work and psychology education, featuring Cases, Media, Reads, and Lens. Piloted at Morgan State University.
Insights
Writing and commentary
Reflections on AI, social work education, and behavioral health practice.
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Contact
Get in touch
For speaking, consulting, media, or academic inquiries, reach out using the form or connect directly.
Morgan State University
School of Social Work, BSW Department
Ready. Set. Grow!
Bowie, Maryland
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