• Assistant Professor Social Work
Liffrig Family School of Education & Behavioral Sciences

About Me

Dr. Shamica Sanon is a social work educator, clinician, and grief counselor with over a decade of experience in hospice, medical, and community-based settings. She earned her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in 2024 and specializes in aging, death, dying, and grief, emphasizing dignity and compassion. Her teaching integrates counseling, case management, and social work practice with advocacy and cultural awareness. Her scholarship explores disparities in end-of-life care, integration of behavioral and physical health, and grief interventions. Founder of Life Unexpected, Dr. Sanon empowers individuals and communities through education, resilience, and holistic care.

Why I’m At Mary

I’m at Mary because I’m passionate about preparing future social workers in a faith-centered environment. The University of Mary’s mission aligns with my values of service, compassion, and holistic care, allowing me to integrate academic excellence with Benedictine principles to support students’ growth as practitioners and people.

Expertise

My expertise spans grief counseling, aging, death, and dying, with over a decade in hospice, medical, and community-based social work. I specialize in integrating behavioral and physical health, addressing disparities in end-of-life care, and teaching clinical practice with cultural and spiritual awareness, preparing students for compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care.

Professional Affiliations

Central Oklahoma Region Director, NASW–Oklahoma Chapter Board (2025–2027)

Barriers to Hospice Care for African Americans (2024)

Oklahoma Social Work Summit – Barriers to Hospice Care (Mar 2023)

Mental Health Symposium – Life Stages & Barriers to Hospice Care (Sep 2024)

SWK 573: Social Work Management and Leadership (Oct 2023, Mar 2023)

SWK 705: Social Work Practice | Community Engagement Social Innovation Model (Sep 2024)

Education

DSW: California Baptist University, 2024
MSW: University of Oklahoma, 2015
BSW: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2013