Laura A. Lewis

"I have always believed there is much to be gained by working across cultures and countries. My focus on developing international partnerships at the school stems from a desire to promote awareness and understanding across cultures. I know that participation in these types of opportunities can help students to become more effective practitioners."

• PhD, Counselor Education, University at Buffalo (2011)
• MSW, University at Buffalo (1994)
• BA, Psychology, SUNY Fredonia (1989)

Community-university partnerships; social work field education; technology in social work practice; adolescent mental health 

Laura Lewis, PhD, LCSW, is a clinical associate professor and the assistant dean for global partnerships at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. Lewis's work has focused on expanding field opportunities for students regionally and internationally, and on developing international partnerships related to teaching and research. She is also co-director of the school’s Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement. Previously she served as the director of field education from 2007 to 2021. 

Lewis was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award in International Education in 2018, and a Council on Social Work Education Leadership Award in 2012. As Chair of the Council on Social Work Field Education’s Research and Publication Committee, she co-authored the 2015 State of Field Education Survey: A Survey of Directors of Field Education on Administrative Models, Staffing and Resources. 

She has presented and published in the areas of university-community partnerships, globally networked classrooms and technology in social work practice.