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Areas of Research and/or Practice

My research focuses on adultification, identity development, and the lived experiences of youth impacted by multiple systems such as the juvenile legal system, child welfare, and behavioral health. I have experience leading and supporting research-practice partnerships and have worked alongside legal system stakeholders and community-based organizations to foster equity and inform systems change. Most recently, I have worked as an Independent Research Consultant conducting program evaluations, supporting qualitative research, research-practice partnerships, and evaluation efforts to advance translational and implementation research.

My work is rooted in a deep commitment to racial and gender equity, with particular attention to the experiences of Black and mixed-race girls and other historically marginalized groups. I began my career supporting research and evaluation projects focused on youth violence, racial trauma, behavioral health, and systems transformation. My research is guided by critical frameworks, including Black Feminist Thought, Black Girlhood Studies, Intersectionality, and Critical Race Feminism. As a first-generation, mixed-race scholar, I am driven by both personal and professional commitments to dismantling systemic racial injustices and promoting social equity through research and education.

In addition to my research, I have professional practice experience working directly with underserved communities. As a Clinical Case Manager for the Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD), I served on a High-Intensity Treatment Team supporting individuals managing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. I later transitioned to working as an overnight Residential Counselor at MHCD while completing my MSW. Through these experiences, I developed skills in building and sustaining trust with individuals, community organizations, and medical professionals, and gained a deep understanding of the complex narratives of those I served.

Biography

Dr. Alexandra N. Hood received her Ph.D. from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. She also holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Metropolitan State University of Denver and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). She identifies as a mixed-race (Black and white) scholar-activist whose work bridges research, practice, and community engagement.

Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering inclusive and transformative learning environments that prioritize the diverse needs and perspectives of students. She believes education holds the power not only to enrich individual lives but also to challenge and redefine societal norms. Grounded in Critical Race Feminism (CRF), her pedagogy highlights the intersections of race, gender, and systems of oppression while centering equity and social justice. She strives to cultivate spaces where diverse student voices are heard, valued, and empowered.

As a primarily online instructor, Dr. Hood emphasizes flexibility and accessibility, recognizing the varied needs and learning styles of her students. She values the diverse life experiences and backgrounds that students bring into the classroom and actively works to create a sense of belonging. She is particularly passionate about mentoring BIPOC and first-generation students, acknowledging the unique barriers they face and supporting them in building justice-centered, community-informed careers.

Currently, Dr. Hood is a full-time Lecturer who teaches at both the graduate levels. She has taught Foundations of Justice and Developing Capstone in the MSW program, as well as Sociology of Family at the undergraduate level at UCCS.