Team

April Parker joined the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work in 2021 after serving for almost a decade as a clinical social worker, program coordinator, and leader of diversity and inclusion efforts at North Carolina’s Central Regional Hospital. At the School of Social Work, April is a clinical assistant professor and part of the practicum education office and the office of academic and student affairs. She is the Director of Student Development and Leadership, the Program Director for Inclusive TEAMS and Golden Policy Fellows.

The overarching focus of the many roles she has at the School of Social Work is professional development, growth and expansion, and strengthening the connection between students and the community.

Ramona Denby-Brinson, Ph.D., has served as dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work since August 2021. Her academic career to date spans nearly three decades, including leadership roles at The Ohio State University and Arizona State University, as well as academic, research, and administrative roles at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she served for nearly 20 years and was a co-creator of The Lincy Institute.

Denby-Brinson studies the mental health and well-being of African American children and families, and is recognized as one of the preeminent national experts in culturally adapted child welfare services and a leading scholar in kinship care. She is a licensed social worker and, prior to her academic career, she served children and families in various social service settings, including medical social work, substance use disorders counseling, family counseling, and public guardianship.

Throughout her professional career, Denby-Brinson has demonstrated a commitment to communities through work that not only fosters intellectual discoveries but also builds the capacity of nonprofit and community agencies and organizations to address local and national mental health and child welfare challenges.

Sharon Holmes Thomas serves as the Assistant Dean of Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid in the Office of Academic & Student Affairs at the UNC School of Social Work. She is a graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill MSW program, and returned to the school to serve as a field education advisor and then as director of the School’s Triangle three-year program before assuming her current role.

Prior to joining the faculty at the School, Sharon was the coordinator of the Adolescent Parenting Program for the Orange County Department of Social Services. Sharon’s professional areas of interests include adolescent pregnancy prevention/risk behaviors, interventions with families of color, and global social work education.

Sarah Naylor has been with the UNC School of Social Work since 2000. As the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, she oversees the implicit curriculum for MSW students, including supports, resources, and professional development. Sarah obtained her Ph.D. in Education at UNC-Greensboro. Sarah received the School of Social Work’s “Excellence in MSW Student Advising” award in 2019.

Michele Patak-Pietrafesa, MSW, PhD is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill where she teaches graduate level courses on research and direct practice and community management, policy, and practice. Michele’s work in under-resourced public schools fueled her passion for empowering individuals with intersecting marginalized identities (mainly BIPOC communities and those with dis/abilities) and challenging the systems that perpetuate their oppression. As such, her research focuses on understanding how bias and stereotypes impact teaching practices, decision making, and service provision within youth-serving organizations and how microaggressions by teachers and service providers impact the trajectories of BIPOC youth and youth with disabilities. She has over 12 years of post MSW clinical and macro practice experience across various contexts including community based mental health, school social work, private practice, and research, and has held various leadership roles in state, regional, and national school social work organizations.

Shana Bellone serves as the Associate Director of Student Wellness at Student U in Durham, where they coordinate and facilitate social-emotional and physical health initiatives for youth and families and collaborate with community partners to increase access to health-related resources and services. Shana received an MSW from the University of Texas at Austin and brings over ten years of experience in youth development and after school programming to their direct practice work.

Theresa Flores serves as Founder and Therapist of Floreciendo Therapeutic Services, PLLC and an Adjunct Instructor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Theresa received her MSW from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and launched her private practice in 2022. Floreciendo’s therapeutic practice centers empowerment, anti-oppressive practices, and social justice as a framework. Floreciendo Therapeutic Services, PLLC prioritizes connecting with folks with historically marginalized and systematically oppressed identities, specifically by investing in creating spaces of learning, healing and growth for Black/Indigenous/Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Ashley Goodwin serves as Psychotherapist and Owner of Heal, Empower, and Restore Therapy Services, PLLC. Ashley earned her MSW at the University of South Carolina and has since provided direct services to individuals and families in office, school, confinement, community, virtual, and home settings. In her variety of roles, including case manager for children and teens navigating the juvenile justice system, Ashley has worked with clients from multiple racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, and cultural boundaries, as well as with individuals with a variety of gender and sexual identities.

Doug Joiner has been a dedicated advocate for children and families from all economic backgrounds and gender identities during his thirty year career in the mental and behavioral health field. Doug has successfully led programs that prioritize respect and inclusion for youth, including establishing an LGBTQ+ support group in a county residential foster care center. Doug’s commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance is reflected in his extensive volunteer work with organizations focused on youth empowerment and community development.

Crystal Jones is a Manager in the Behavioral Health Case Management department in the Duke University Health System. Crystal has over twelve years of professional experience working in health care settings, community mental health, state operated facilities, and the department of social services. Crystal has served as an advocate and culturally-competent care provider to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals and families across these settings.

Sherry Mergner is a Clinical Associate Professor and the AHEC Liaison at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Sherry received her MSW from Florida State University in 1987 and has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings for the past forty years. Over the last sixteen years, Sherry’s clinical work has focused on working with neurodivergent, autistic, and disabled children, teens and adults and their families/caregivers from a wide range of ethnic and racial backgrounds as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+. Sherry co-founded the Substance Use and Addiction Specialist Program at the School of Social Work in 1997. Sherry received the School of Social Work Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award in 2022 and 2024.

Amira “AP” Pankey holds a Master of Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. AP has over a decade of experience working with youth, young adults, LGBTQIA+ folks, and communities of color. In their current role as Program Director with Johnson Service Corps, AP supports an intentional community of young adults in growing toward their most authentic and spiritual selves. In their work as a steward of relational remedies, AP creates accessible community spaces that uplift reciprocal healing for all people, with an emphasis on those who hold historically excluded identities.

April Parker, MSW, LCSW, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Student Development and Leadership at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work, where she teaches courses in direct practice, leads the professional development series for students and serves as the program manager for Inclusive T.E.A.M.S. and Director of the Golden Policy Fellowship. April has a clinical practice background in inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings and worked as a child, adolescent, and adult therapist. In January 2021, April was awarded the Dr. John R. Larkins Award by NC Governor Roy Cooper. This award recognizes commitment to justice and equality in the workplace and in the community. April’s practice and research interests include maternal mental health, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice and education for healthcare workers and innovative ways of supporting BIPOC students at historically white colleges and universities. April serves as a board member of the International Association of Social Work with Groups (IASWG) and an advisory board member of the Pro Bono Counseling Network (PBCN) of North Carolina.

Dedrick Battle is a native of Durham, NC where he attended high school and later graduated from North Carolina Central University with a BS in Criminal Justice. After college, Dedrick served as a probation officer for 12 years working in Person County and Wake County in various specialty positions. In 2008, he was named the top Drug Treatment Court Probation Officer in North Carolina. After moving to Oakland, California in 2012, Dedrick worked as a community organizer and technical assistant with LiveFree. This work focused on group violence reduction strategy, a national program that uses evidence-based practice to reduce group related gun violence in some of the nation’s most violent neighborhoods. Additionally, he served with Cityteam Oakland as the Learning Center Coordinator assisting and providing jobs skills training for men who experienced being unhoused and substance use disorder. Dedrick graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with a Master of Social Work. Following graduation, he worked as a Community Support Team clinician at Carolina Outreach before serving in his current role as the Alliance Health Adult Court Liaison. Dedrick is known professionally and personally for his compassion, commitment to restorative justice, and advocacy for the human rights of all people. He is guided by his faith and is deeply committed to his wife, Donna, and children, Caio, Coletrane and Calum. In his spare time, Dedrick enjoys cycling, spending time with family, traveling and attending live music and sporting events.

As a social work professional working with members of the community who are involved with the judicial system, it is important to have a lens focused on their lived experiences. In many cases, this includes being identified as a historically vulnerable and marginalized population as well as surviving traumatic histories. The intersection of individuals who live lives in these groups to include LGBTQIA +, BIPOC and people living with the experience of being judicially involved creates historic barriers to many of the everyday needs we deserve as human beings. I believe, being a part of the UNC-CH Inclusive TEAMS can help shape practices that can help lower barriers to everyday necessities and engage with systems that allow new social workers to prepare to address the needs of these individuals. Additionally, creating a learning environment that trains new social workers to be culturally competent as well as enhancing their practice of advocacy is an important skillset. It is my hope that being a member of this council will grant these opportunities of learning, growth and so much more. Lastly, it would be a tremendous honor to work alongside my fellow colleagues in the discipline of social work to offer this incredible experience.

Dr. Kim S. Downing earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2007. She furthered her education and received a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development from The George Washington University in 2009. In November 2012, she graduated from the prestigious Bridges Academic Leadership Program for women in higher education in the UNC system. Dr. Downing is employed at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) as a Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program. She was the recipient of the 2024 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching representing ECSU. Additionally, she was selected as Departmental Teacher of the Year for 2020 – 2021 & 2013 – 2014 academic years. Dr. Downing has served ECSU for 16 years in several leadership capacities including: the Chair of the University Curriculum Committee; Director of Summer School; Faculty Senate Executive Committee; and Chair of the Quality Enhance Plan (QEP). Dr. Downing has been a member of the Board of Accreditation for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 2020. She has also served on other local, state, and professional boards/committees. Dr. Downing has amassed over 35 years of experience as a social worker. She was licensed in Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2000 and joined the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) in 1988. She has authored several publications and presented at professional conferences. Her research interests include Women’s Issues with special emphasis on African American Women and Poverty; Self-Care; Childhood Obesity; Rural Social Work Practice; and Problem Gambling on College Campuses.

Dr. Downing believes that becoming a part of the Inclusive TEAMS Advisory Council will afford her the opportunity to partner with other professionals to share their expertise and knowledge to help train and guide social work students. This council will focus on initiatives/programs for preparing future Social Work practitioners. As an educator, Dr. Downing is especially invested in the training of Social Work students and contributing to the development of future clinicians, who are proficient in their capacity to engage the needs of diverse populations.

Dr. Hunt-Harrison has had a diverse career experience over the past two decades. She has provided direct patient care in both outpatient and inpatient settings, served on clinical research teams, worked as a peer advisor in the public mental health sector, and led as coordinator for medical students and psychiatric trainees on the child adolescent unit at a state psychiatric hospital.   She is Board Certified in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her clinical work is primarily focused on psychiatric assessments and treatment of children and adolescents with a variety of treatment needs. 

As Vice Chair for Mental Health Equity and Community Engagement for the UNC Department of Psychiatry, she strives to improve patient access to and engagement in quality mental health assessments and treatment.  She works collaboratively with various departments and disciplines within UNC and with community stakeholders to identify barriers/deficits, identify and implement solutions, and provide ongoing assessment of progress/needs. 

I have been working with families with children with disabilities for 8 years. I came to the UNC MSW program with an aim to become better prepared to help these families mitigate the systemic barriers they face. I am passionate about working with Spanish speaking parents to access the most resources possible for their children. I am currently a full time nanny for a local family.  

I want to be a part of the Advisory Council because I think that the best way to make a difference is to work together and support/uplift each other.

Sarah Rosenquest has provided direct patient care in both outpatient, crisis, and inpatient settings. She has served in interdisciplinary teams, collaborated to create programs, and has a history of collaborating with interns and supervisees of various disciplines. She is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Her history of work in mental health varies from groups to individual and assessments to intervention. She runs the Acute Child Adolescent Therapy (ACAT) service in the UNC Emergency Department Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) focused on Brief solution focused therapy and treatment of children, adolescents, and their families with a variety of therapeutic treatment needs. Sarah is enthusiastic about providing effective efficient psychotherapy services using holistic supportive trauma informed care to tailor to each individual’s mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and energetic needs.

Sarah states that she is excited to be part of the Inclusive TEAMS advisory council because it is so important to expand and nourish a culturally responsive behavioral health workforce. As the behavioral health needs grow and our providers are overburdened, this increases the risk of burnout. The social work field has a history of being culturally irresponsible and it is at risk of returning to culturally insensitive practices. It also takes time, energy, and commitment to create change that is needed to repair past and ongoing damages. An essential preventative measure is to expand the field and support healthy habits in social work providers.

Hi my name is Jamillae “J” Stockett. I use she/her pronouns. I am the Director of the LGBTQ Center at UNC Chapel Hill. I was onboarded with UNC in the fall of 2022. I am so proud to be given the opportunity to become a part of the rich history and legacy of the LGBTQ Center here on UNC’s Campus. I am originally from the Midwest, my family relocated to North Carolina in the late 90’s and I fell in love with the people, culture, and history, and I have been here ever since. I obtained my MPH in Public Health, and I hope to one day start a non-profit to help rebuild, restore, revitalize and strengthen local communities. I have over eight years’ experience in the fields of community programming and Public Health. Before coming to UNC, I previously worked with programs for marginalized and underserved communities in North Carolina at the local, city, and state level. I have a passion for people and communities. If you are reading this article and you or your organization/department have previously partnered with the LGBTQ Center on events, programs, or training, thank you for your support and let’s stay connected for future partnerships, If you have not yet partnered or collaborated with the LGBTQ Center and would like to explore future partnerships and collaborations call or email me, I look forward to meeting and talking with you!

I truly subscribe to the belief that any company, organization, and workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion will not only attract and retain top employee talent, but they will also improve productivity and performance. Being a member of an inclusive advisory council will assist me professionally and personally in broadening and strengthening my leadership skills, performance goals, and student/staff engagement. Inclusivity allows a wider perspective for how we support and impact student success. Everyone brings their own lived experiences to the “table,” whether it’s a black person, white person, gay person, or veteran… and each person brings a different approach and perspective because of the lens of life and experiences they have gone through. I think a council that values each person’s life experiences and perspectives opens itself to innovate and creative ideas and solutions. I am excited at the opportunity to assess challenging topics together with a diverse group of people and I think the Inclusive TEAMS advisory council would present such an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and build.