Stella Gran-O’Donnell, PhD, MSW, MPH earned dual master’s degrees in social and public health practice (MSW, MPH) with specialization in macro-, community and policy practice, and community medicine, respectively, along with a doctoral degree in social welfare from the University of Washington.
Dr. Gran-O’Donnell has over two decades of experience as a researcher, grantwriter, evaluator, and community, public health practitioner. Most recently, as an independent consultant she convened community-school partnerships and through successful grantwriting efforts secured over $1.8 million to fund community partnerships to implement prevention and intervention programs for youth of color especially for those involved in, or at high risk of involvement in the carceral system and to halt their future involvement, e.g., community diversion, transformative healing, and re-entry programs. These efforts are aligned with King County’s goal for youth justice systems reform and transformation with an ultimate goal of Zero Youth Detention. Through these efforts, the overall aims are to address the social, behavioral health and mental health disparities and inequities for youth facing or actively involved in trauma and violence in their schools or communities. She also served as a consultant to co-design and evaluate curriculum to address teen dating violence and build healthy relationships for young, high school aged Asian American women.
Stella is also affiliated with the University of Washington’s School of Social Work (SSW) where has held academic appointments for the past five years. Stella has taught foundation and advanced MSW courses including Critical Community Practice with Youth, and Refugee and Immigrants, along with Community Collaborative Program Evaluation. Dr. Gran-O’Donnell also supervised as Practicum/Field instructor for advanced MSW students in various community organizations. Further, she also actively serves on two SSW faculty committees, Community Centered Integrated Practice (CCIP) Concentration – and was elected co-chair for the Concentration and Justice 2.3.