Department of Social Work

Education:

• BA, University of Texas at Austin
• MSW, The University of Houston
• PhD, The University of Houston

Specialties:

• Paternal Self-efficacy and Co-parenting Dynamics in Low-income Communities
• Utilization of Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Technology
• Intersection of Technology and Social Work
• Simulation-based Learning in Social Work Education

Biography: Dr. Mark Trahan, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor who serves as the Chair of the Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University.  Dr. Trahan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by the pursuit of his master's and doctoral degrees in social work at the University of Houston. His doctoral research was particularly focused on the intricate realm of paternal self-efficacy.  Dr. Trahan's research revolves around paternal self-efficacy and co-parenting dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of low-income fathers. His innovative approach extends to the utilization of cutting-edge technology, particularly in the design, prototyping, implementation, and evaluation of virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) solutions aimed at enhancing paternal efficacy. His expertise in the intersection of technology and social work is further underscored by his prior work, which involved the development of virtual reality environments and mindfulness-based interventions tailored to address social anxiety and avoidance symptoms in student veterans. Dr. Trahan employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyze data. His work has been recognized through publication in high-impact factor journals in both psychology and social work. As an educator, Dr. Trahan has extensive experience teaching micro-direct practice courses, utilizing simulation-based roleplay to enhance student learning outcomes. His commitment to fostering the next generation of social work professionals is evident in his scaffolding of learning through experiential learning. Beyond his academic and research contributions, Dr. Trahan has made significant contributions at the national and state level, notably serving on the Society for Social Work and Research Special Interest Group dedicated to father-related research, the Task Force on Social Work Education and Technology, and the Social Work Coalition on North Carolina Workforce Development. Additionally, he has served as a member of the editorial board for Research on Social Work Practice.

Curriculum Vitae: View