Dorothy Wallis
Assistant Professor, Director of Research for the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Center for Mental Health in Entertainment
Ph.D., Social Work, University of Tennessee; MSW, Columbia University; BSW, Belmont University
615-460-6853dorothy.wallis@belmont.edu
Biography
Dorothy Wallis, MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Mental Health Counseling Program and the Director of Research for the Center for Mental Health in Entertainment. Dorothy received a PhD in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, an MSW from Columbia University, and a BSW from Belmont University.
Her work is centered on her practice experience working in non-profits with individuals with substance use disorders. She spent years as a case manager and admissions director, helping people access treatment and services to better meet their needs. This experience has led her to research that promotes holistic well-being, centered on community needs, because thriving systems and environments lead to strong individuals. She incorporates community voice into her research by making sure to build a research agenda that engages key stakeholders in the formation and outputs of the research.
Outside of work, Dorothy can be found with her husband, Gordon, her three-year-old daughter, Maggie, her two dogs (Peach and Pickle), and a very vocal cat (Ringo). Her free time is spent at the pool, playground, and enjoying some quiet time to read.
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Community health and well-being
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Systems approaches to neighborhood and community building
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Workforce development and resilience
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Society for Social Work and Research
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National Association of Social Workers
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Council on Social Work Education
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Utah State University, College of Arts & Sciences, Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year
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University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, Graduate Teaching Instructor of the Year
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University of Tennessee, College of Social Work, PhD Student Researcher of the Year
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Wallis, D., Ward, C., Cronley, C., & Walters, J.E. Lest we forget: Social work’s theory, ethics, and the politics of knowledge. Article Accepted at the Journal of Social Work Education.
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Wallis, D. (2026). Factors associated with substance use treatment seeking during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study applying the Gelberg-Andersen Model for Vulnerable Populations. COVID, 6(3), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/covid60300333.
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Didericksen, J., Walters, J.E., & Wallis, D. (2024). Nonprofit leadership: Navigating the complex board-executive relationship. Administrative Sciences, 14 (10), 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci1410002524.
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Scoresby, K., Huslage, M., & Wallis, D. (2024). Exploring the evidence based practice process with social work practitioners. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 21(4), 492-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2024.23160385.
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Huslage, M., Jones, A., Wallis, D., & Scoresby, K. (2024). Resilience amid chaos: Abortion provision across the United States during COVID-19. Journal of Women’s Health, 33(3), 294-300. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2023.01496.
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Walters, J., Brown, A.R.,Wallis, D., & Snow, J. (2023). Assessing capacity in rural nonprofits. Administrative Sciences, 13(9), 197.