April Ely-Black

April Ely-Black, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Care, Health, and Society program within the School of Sociology at the University of Arizona. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and her Master of Social Work from Smith College. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has worked in hospice, domestic violence, behavioral health, and clinical practice. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, she served for five years as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Social Work at Northern Arizona University.

April's teaching and scholarly interests include trauma and healing, belonging, and relationship-centered education. Drawing on her experience as a clinician and educator, she is passionate about understanding how relationships, communities, and social systems shape health, well-being, and learning. Throughout her clinical career, she supported individuals in healing from trauma while fostering resilience, connection, and hope. She continues to integrate mindfulness, compassion, and reflective practice into her teaching, creating learning environments where students experience belonging, curiosity, and meaningful connection.

April is an ACUE Teaching Fellow, having successfully completed the Effective Online Teaching Practices program through the Association of College and University Educators.