Toni Jensen, DSW
Dr. Jensen started teaching at NWU in 2012 as an adjunct faculty in the Social Work Department, teaching mostly in the accelerated, adult program, and became full time faculty starting in the fall of 2014. In June of 2016, Dr. Jensen assumed the role of Field Director for NWU's social work program and in 2018 Dr. Jensen transitioned from her role as the Field Director to serve as the program director for the Master in Social Work and became the Chair of the Social Work Department in the fall of 2020. Prior to her time at NWU Dr. Jensen worked full time for the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation under the Nebraska Supreme Court where she served as the Domestic Violence Programs and Services Specialist, with areas of expertise in domestic violence and sexual offenders, as well as victim related issues. Also during her time with Probation and the Courts, Dr. Jensen worked on various projects to assist in building leadership skills in managers and supervisors. Prior to that Dr. Jensen worked for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in a variety of roles, including case manager for domestic violence and sexual assault victims, program coordinator for a supervised visitation service, and also as a grant writer and grants compliance officer.
Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Dana College (Blair, NE) in 2003
Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in 2007
Master's degree in Public Administration from UNO in 2007
Doctorate in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN) May 2020
Undergraduate
- SW 1150 Introduction to Social Work
- SW 2270 HBSE I
- SW 2280 HBSE II
- SW 2290 Elective: Social Work in the Criminal Justice System
- SW 3200 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems
- SW 3100 Macro Social Work Practice
- SW 4650 Research Informed Practice
- SOCWK 4970 Field Seminar and Practicum
Graduate
- SOCWK 5010 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SOCWK 5220 Macro Practice
- SOCWK 5110 Social Welfare Policy
- SOCWK 5460 Trauma Conscious Social Work Administration
My research focus is varied with a common theme of leadership and administration. For my dissertation, I focused on leadership development, specifically development through the educational process, as well as a review of the CSWE Education and Policy Accreditation Standards for how these standards prepare future social work leaders. My recent social work practice experience has been focused on program evaluation, community assessment, and training development/evaluation. My previous practice experience focused on crime victims and trauma, as well as secondary trauma concerns. My other interests include social work in the criminal justice system and social work ethics.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and consult with local non-profits and governmental agencies on strategic planning, grant writing, program evaluation and other areas of interest.
Certified Social Worker
2015 Victim Allied Professional Award
2022 Inspire Award Finalist for Educational Excellence, Lincoln Journal Star
2023 Faculty Mentor of the Year, Nebraska Wesleyan University