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Ann Obermann, Ph.D., is now the interim chair of the Department of Social Work

Biography

Ann Obermann, Ph.D., LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches primarily in the Bachelor of Social Work Program.

Dr. Obermann brings over 25 years of social work practice and teaching experience to her role. She has worked extensively in human service management, community mental health, and with at-risk families and adolescents in both child welfare and mental health settings prior to earning her doctorate. Licenced as a clinical social worker in Colorado, she has served as a case manager, family therapist, supervisor, and trainer, supporting professionals across systems to enhance trauma-informed practice, adolescent development, leadership, supervision, and family engagement.

Since joining º£½ÇÉçÇø, Dr. Obermann has taught a range of practice-focused courses, including Intro to Social Work, Groups, Family, Critical Reflection, Trauma Interventions, and Child Maltreatment. She is known for engaging students in transformative learning experiences that integrate critical self-reflection, social justice perspectives, and evidence-informed practice. Her teaching emphasizes students’ strengths and fosters the development of skilled, reflective practitioners prepared to make meaningful contributions in diverse practice contexts. Ann has been awarded teaching excellence awards in her department, college, university, and for her online teaching.

Dr. Obermann’s scholarship currently explores innovations in social work education including online, course design, and in person pedagogy. Past work focused on workforce issues within human service systems including occupational stress and burnout in child welfare, and. She has published journal articles, book chapters, and professional essays, and co-authored 101 Careers in Social Work, a widely used resource that highlights the breadth of professional opportunities in the field.

Beyond her academic work, she has trained child welfare and mental health professionals regionally and nationally, and she has contributed to curriculum development for online social work instruction. Dr. Obermann serves in faculty leadership roles, including 7 years as the social work online education coordinator, 4 years as a faculty senator, 2 years as the faculty trustee on the º£½ÇÉçÇø Board of Trustees, interim associate department chair, and as chair of faculty senate academic subdivisions, advocating for faculty and enhancing institutional governance.

Dr. Obermann holds a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Denver, an MSW from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a B.A. in social work from St. Olaf College. Her professional interests include family therapy, trauma practice, workforce well-being, and expanding equitable access to high-quality social work education.