Terrell T. Richardson
Assistant Professor
ttrichar@central.uh.edu
Room: 432 Social Work Building
Phone: Coming Soon
Personal Statement
Dr. Terrell Richardson is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. His program of research examines the intersection of behavioral health and educational outcomes, with particular attention to how environmental factors shape the well-being and success of youth and emerging adults. Drawing on an integrated conceptual framework that includes the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory, the Model of Student Attrition, and the Social Determinants of Mental Health, his work seeks to identify mechanisms that promote educational attainment, mental health, and long-term well-being.
Dr. Richardson's scholarship has focused on mental health, substance use, and educational outcomes among transition-age youth, foster youth, and individuals with out-of-home care experiences. He previously served as Principal Investigator for EMBRACE Alabama, an organization dedicated to promoting higher education access, persistence, and completion among youth with foster care and out-of-home care backgrounds. His current research advances the social work of higher education by examining strategies that support student success, belonging, retention, and holistic well-being.
His teaching interests include social welfare policy, macro social work practice, and health-related courses. Dr. Richardson worked as a Health Equity Specialist with a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization, where he developed policy briefs and contributed to initiatives addressing health disparities. He has also led student advocacy efforts with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., fostering civic engagement and policy advocacy among future social workers.
A strong advocate for educational opportunity and social justice, Dr. Richardson is committed to producing community-engaged scholarship that informs practice, policy, and systems-level change. Fun fact: he is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).
Education
- PhD, Social Work, The University of Alabama
- MSW, Joint Master of Social Work Program, NCAT and UNC Greensboro
- M.Ed., Specialization in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, UNC Greensboro
- BSW, Livingstone College
Areas of Specialization
- Behavioral Health
- Mental Health Disparities
- Substance Use
- Social Determinants of Mental Health
- Educational Attainment and Student Success
- Social Work of Higher Education
- Youth and Emerging Adults
- Foster Care and Out-of-Home Care Experiences
- African American Men
- Social Welfare Policy