Cathy McElderry, PhD, MPH, LCSW

Department Chair, Associate Professor

cmcelderry@semo.edu
573-651-2714
Office: Crisp Hall  201F

---

Cathy Gilbert McElderry is associate professor and chair of the Department of Social Work. Dr. McElderry earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Alabama. Dr. McElderry holds a Master of Social Work from Clark Atlanta University (formerly Atlanta University) and a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dr. McElderry completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Montevallo, where she earned a bachelor of science in social work and political science. Dr. McElderry is a licensed practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in a health and mental health practice. Dr. McElderry’s research focuses on social determinants of health and well-being. She is particularly interested in advancing an understanding of the role of social and economic disparities in initiating, shaping, and contributing to problematic outcomes such as substance abuse, poverty, poor academic achievement, and other social issues. Dr. McElderry’s scholarly activities extend to investigation of women issues such as access to healthcare, HIV/AID, and gender based violence. Dr. McElderry is a Deputy-Editor for the Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa.