Freda Coleman-Reed is pursuing her Ph.D. in Social Work. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and holds two B.S. degrees from Towson State University in Chemistry and Biology. She received her M.S.W. from The University of Alabama. Her professional career includes administrative and clinical experience in a number of areas: Child Protective Services, Therapeutic Foster Care, Adoption, Community Mental Health, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Grief Recovery. She is active in her community with several community agencies such as the Healing Place, Special Programming for Achievement Network, and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of the Shoals.
Ms. Coleman-Reed is the recipient of a Southern Regional Education Board fellowship. Her thesis presentation on “Cognitive Appraisal and Grandparent Caregiver Well-being” resulted in her selection as a finalist in The University of Alabama’s first Three Minute Thesis competition. Her research interests include factors contributing to grandparent-headed family well-being, empowerment practice with intergenerational and grandparent-headed families, resilience, and family policy.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.