Zohra Asad, Ph.D. (Candidate), MSW (she/her)
Assistant Professor

Office Address:
343C DeVos Center
School of Social Work
401 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone Number:
(616) 331-6555

Email Address:
[email protected]

Office Hours:
Tuesdays 12:30 pm- 2:30 pm
Thursday 1 pm- 5 pm

Teaching Areas:
SW 150: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
SW 620: Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Experience:
Zohra joined Grand Valley State University as an Assistant Professor with over 20 years of combined experience in teaching and social work practice across diverse educational and community settings. Her professional journey encompasses work in international nonprofits, schools, and social service agencies, with expertise in child sexual abuse prevention and social work with underserved communities. She is deeply committed to community-engaged research, anti-oppressive practices, and mentoring emerging social work professionals. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Work (with a minor in Sociology) at Indiana University, where she is also completing the Emerging Scholars in College Instruction Program and the Equity Champions Program. Her academic background includes an MSW in Social Work, a master’s in social work with a thesis on child abuse among street children, a Bachelor of Education, and a B.A. in Social Work & Psychology from Balochistan University. Zohra’s academic career includes roles as an Adjunct Lecturer at Indiana University, a Lecturer at Balochistan University, and teaching positions at secondary and non-formal education levels. Beyond academia, she has extensive professional experience as a social worker, consultant, counselor, and community mobilizer with organizations such as Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services, and the American Refugee Committee. Her research interests focus on child abuse, child sexual abuse, street children, poverty, and the lived experiences of social workers working with people with harmful sexual behaviors.

Education: Vita
Ph.D. (in progress) – Social Work, Indiana University
Research Focus: Experiences of social workers working with individuals exhibiting harmful sexual behaviors, with an emphasis on cognitive distortions, treatment interventions, and systemic support
MSW/ MPhil – University of Balochistan
MA – University of Balochistan
B.Ed. – University of Balochistan
BA – Social Sciences, University of Balochistan