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Dr. Erick
My name is Dr. Erick Lear. If you have made it to this page, then I am most likely your instructor for an online course in the human services or social work. Welcome!
I teach for several online universities and created this bio so all students could access it, no matter which University they attended.
I've had a diverse career in the helping professions. It hasn't always followed the typical path of a social worker or a college professor. I like to share my journey to show how diverse our field is.
My Background
My Background
I completed my undergraduate degree at Kent State University with a double major in psychology and sociology.
I earned my graduate degree in social work at Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Upon graduating, I was offered a full time position at one of my internships, Violet's Cupboard, an AIDS Service Organization in Northeast Ohio.
In 2010, I completed my doctorate in human services from Capella University. (I was an online university student, too!) My dissertation focused on volunteer motivations of suicide prevention hotline volunteers.
Today, I facilitate doctoral & master’s level human services courses at the University of Arizona Global Campus & macro-focused social work courses Virginia Commonwealth University’s MSW program, online modality.
Additionally, I teach undergraduate human services and social work courses at the University of Phoenix, where I was recognized as one of the Faculty of the Year in 2020. I was promoted to Senior Faculty in 2023.
My courses in the First Year Experience at Southern New Hampshire University are a constant reminder that learning occurs at all ages, stages, and with varying degrees of family and community support. As a first generation student myself, and now a life long learner with a PhD, I take pride in helping new students learn how to be successful in the virtual classroom and beyond.
To Reach Me
To Reach Me
I check into our classroom and each of my University emails at least one time every day. I do my best to return emails and messages in the classroom within 24 hours. Most of the time, you will receive a response from me the same day or the next. If you do not, then be assured you will receive a response as soon as I am able.
If you would like to speak by phone, you may call at anytime. If you don't reach me, please leave a message and I will be in touch shortly.
Another option is to reach out via email to schedule a time that is convenient for both us to meet on Zoom or Google Chat. I will be sure to devote that time specifically to you.
🌵 Fun Facts! 🌵
🌵 Fun Facts! 🌵
I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Association for Community Organization & Social Action (ACOSA), and the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS).
My hairless cat joins me every day to supervise my grading and ensure fair practices are maintained.
I was born & raised in Akron, Ohio but moved to Phoenix, Arizona over 10 years ago and now call Phoenix home.
💡The Macro Collaborative
💡The Macro Collaborative
The Macro Collaborative is part of the small business I started at the end of 2024. The Collaborative is still in the VERY early stages; however, it is planned to be a virtual community for people engaging in macro-level practice. The ultimate goal is for Macro Minded to serve as a central point of contact for all macro-level change agents, reducing barriers to access & collaboration, while also increasing the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Social workers, human service workers, community-based case managers, peer support workers, educators, advocates of all types, & anyone working or volunteering in the social change space is invited to join, share & make macro change possible!
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