CURRICULUM VITAE

							                               CURRICULUM VITAE

                                Rebecca Leela Thomas
                                rlthomas@uconn.edu

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Educational Psychology, January 2003

Masters in Social Work
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Planning Track, August 1988

B.S.W., Generalist Perspective
B.A., International Development
Bethel College, Newton, KS
May 1997

Bachelor of Theology,
Canadian Mennonite Theological Seminary, Winnipeg MB
Theology, April 1986

TEACHING POSITIONS

University of Connecticut
Assistant Professor of Social Work
West Hartford
August, 2004 to present

Temple University School of Social Administration
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Philadelphia, PA
September 2001 – June 2004

Temple University School of Social Administration
Adjunct Professor of Social Work
Philadelphia, PA
September 1995 – 2000

Temple University, College of Arts and Science
Graduate Assistant, Department of Political Science
Philadelphia, PA
September 1992 – 1994
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work
Education
Associate Editor
Philadelphia, PA
June 1998 – Present

Temple University, Center for Social Policy and Community Development
Research and Evaluation Coordinator
Philadelphia, PA
May, 1997 – August, 2001

Temple University, Center for Social Policy and Community Development
Project Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Perspective on Domestic Violence and Child abuse
Philadelphia, PA
May, 1995 – April, 1997

Temple University, Center for Social Policy and Community Development
Assistant Project Coordinator, Adolescent Initiative Project
Philadelphia, PA
April, 1988 – April, 1995

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

      Member, Council on Social Work Education
      Member, The Society of Social Work and Research
      Member, ACOSA
      Board member, South East Asian Coalition, Connecticut
      Board member, Infrastructure Committee, Temple University, Philadelphia

SERVICE ACTIVITIES

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES AND ACTIVITIES

University of Connecticut

      Serve on the International Center Advisory Committee, October 2004 to present
      Serve as the Community Organization Concentration to the Field Advisory
       Committee, October 2004 to present
      Serve as member of a new Advisory Group for the Institute for the Advancement
       of Political Social Work Practice, January 2005 to present
      Participated in the review process of the entire curriculum for reaccredidation
       CSWE
      Closely reviewed curriculum of Community Organization method
      Faculty Sponsor for the Asian Student Alliance, January 2005 to present
      Assisted in the planning of the Tsunami planning efforts

Temple University, School of Social Administration

      Chair of BSW research sequence, September 2002 – May 2004
      Participated in the development and writing of curriculum for the Management
       and Planning Track, September 2001 to May 2004
      Presented curriculum of the Management and Planning Track at Student
       Orientations, 2003
      Co-Chair of Research and Grants Committee, May 2001 – August 2004
      Co-Chair of the Convocation Committee, May 2002

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ACTIVITIES

      Reviewed proposals for SHAMSHA: Drug Free Communities Support Program
       (New program) May, 2006
      Reviewed proposals for SHAMSHA: Drug Free Communities Support Program
       (Renewal Projects) May, 2005
      Planning member of the Multicultural Competency in Action and Practice
       Conference developed by the Multiculturalism Subcommittee of the Children’s
       Behavioral Health Advisory committee, March to Present.
      Member of the Welfare work group, Connecticut, October 2004 to present
      Member of “Working to Unite Families Infrastructure Committee,” 2002 –
       present.
      Member of “City Wide Infrastructure Committee,” organized to develop policy
       and to address issues of service delivery to welfare to work customers in order to
       provide a seamless experience.
      Board member of “City Wide Planning and Development Agency,” 2002 –
       present. Involved in strategic planning, and development.
      Reviewed manuscripts for “Association for Women in Psychology Conference,”
       2003.
      Member of Advisory Board, for the “Boone Family Center,” 2001 – 2002.

RESEARCH GRANTS

      Co-Principal Investigator, for Functional Family Therapy Intervention (submitted)
       to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, $400,000 over two-
       year period.

      Author and Research Coordinator, Process Evaluation for Project TALENT.
       (1998 – 2000). Awarded by the Philadelphia Workforce Development
       Corporation, $90,000.

      Author and Research Coordinator, Outcome Evaluation for Non-Custodial TANF
       Parents. (1998 – 2000). Awarded by the Philadelphia Workforce Development
       Corporation, $175,000.
PEER REVIEWED WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

Thomas, R. L. (2005). Project TECH: The Role of Distance Learning to Increase Job
     Mobility and Job Stability for TANF Recipients: Evaluation for Practice,
     University of Huddersfield, UK. July 13 – 14, 2005.

Thomas, R. L. (2005). Developing and using a Cultural Competency Analytical
     Framework. Multicultural Competence in Action and Practice. Bridgeport, CT.
     June 8, 2005

Thomas, R. L. (2005). Social Work in India. Staff Development Seminar, University of
     Connecticut. June 3, 2005.

Thomas, R. L. (2005). Relief, Reconstruction and Development in India after the
     Tsunami. Panel presentation. University of Connecticut, School of Social Work.
     October 10, 2004.

Thomas, R. L. (2001). Mutually Beneficial Community University Partnerships,”
     Common Problems, Uncommon Resources: Exploring the Social and Economic
     Challenges to Community-Based Research. Clark University, Atlanta, GA. June
     2001.

PUBLICATIONS

Thomas, R. & Finn, J. (in review). Project TECH: Providing TANF recipients with
     learning literacy education. Journal of Technology in Human Services.

Thomas, R. (in process). The Role of University Community Partnerships in Human
     Services. Journal of Community Practice: Organizing, Planning, Development
     and Change.

Thomas, R. (in process). Welfare to Work: Program Evaluation of a demonstration
     program in Philadelphia. Journal of Continuing Social Work Education.

GRANT RELATED REPORTS

      Thomas, R., Houser, L., & Argue, K. (2002). Evaluation Report for Project
       TECH. Report submitted to the Philadelphia Workforce Development
       Corporation and to the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy.

      Thomas, R. & Argue, K. (2001). Program Evaluation: Project TALENT. Report
       submitted to the Department of Labor and to Philadelphia Workforce
       Development Corporation.
     Thomas, R. & Argue, K. (2001). Program Evaluation: Employment and Training
      for Non-Custodial Programs. Report submitted to the Department of Labor and to
      Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation.

     Thomas, R., Houser, L., & Leaman, J. (2000). Evaluation Report for the National
      Adoption Center’s AdoptNet Program. Report submitted to the Kellogg
      Foundation and to the National Adoption Center.

     Thomas, R., Houser, L. (1999), Process and Outcome Evaluation of Freire
      Charter School. Report submitted to Freire Charter School and Big Brothers and
      Big Sister’s of Philadelphia.

     Thomas, R. & Leaman, J. (1999). Program Evaluation of Southern Homes Crisis
      to Competency Program. Report submitted to the Department of Health and
      Human Services and to Southern Homes Agency.

OTHER SKILLS

     Excellent interpersonal skills
     Proficient in the use of word processors (Word, WordPerfect), web-search,
      spreadsheets (Excel) statistical analysis software (SPSS), database management
      (Access and Visual dBase) and other applications (e.g. PowerPoint and Publisher)
     Strong micro and macro interdisciplinary perspective on social, economic and
      political issues
     Extensive cross-cultural living and travel experience.
     Fluent in several Indian languages