Alice C. Fischer, DSW, MSS, LCSW

Dr. Alice C. Fischer, DSW, MSS, LCSW is an instructor in the Department of Social Work at Kutztown University. She earned her DSW from Kutztown, where her dissertation research focused on the definition and theoretical constructs associated with the engagement phase of the Planned Change Process in generalist social work. She has professional practice experience at all levels of practice, including program development, policy development, community-based research, individual and couples therapy, and program management in hospital, inpatient, outpatient, and organizational settings. Through her practice, Dr. Fischer has worked with refugees, families experiencing homelessness, pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder, youth and adults navigating a major life transition, school social workers, and mental health peer support workers. Dr. Fischer is passionate about teaching and supporting helpers. 

Her areas of research interests include the engagement phase of social work practice, social workers' use of social media to establish identity and community, the commodification of mental illness, and approaches to social work practice in higher education settings. Dr. Fischer joined the department in 2023 as a graduate assistant in the Center for the Study of School Social Work and currently manages the social work department's $3.8 million dollar grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to conduct capacity building activities with mental health peer support workers and organizations across Pennsylvania. When not engaging in professional social work activities, she can be found creating, crafting, cooking, or crossword-ing. 

Teaching interests: 

• Social Work Practice with Individuals, Groups, and Families

• Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations