Jessica Friedrichs is Assistant Professor and Director of BSW Field Education in the Social Work Program.  She previously served as Director for Carlow’s Service-Learning & Outreach Center, Just and Merciful Curriculum and Honors Program. She was the recipient of the university-wide Max and Esther Sestili Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018.  She is co-author of Community-Based Global Learning: The Theory and Practice of Ethical Engagement at Home and Abroad (Stylus, 2018); has published in the journals Social Justice and Prism; and regularly presents at local and national conferences. She serves as representative to the Conference on Mercy Higher Education Global Social Work Collaborative.  She is also a co-founder of the Cultural Humility and Equity Collaborative (CHEC) and has served as a training consultant on racial equity and immigrant inclusion for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.  She serves on the board for the Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education (ARYSE) and as a collaborative discussion facilitator/trainer for the Interactivity Foundation.  She holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Pittsburgh.  Prior to her current positions, she facilitated global fair trade learning courses in Bolivia, Tanzania, Northern Ireland, Jamaica and the Navajo Nation and worked in the non-profit, philanthropic and education sectors in Pittsburgh.  

Education 

• MSW – Community Organizing and Social Administration Specialization, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (2007)
• MPA – Public and Non-Profit Management Specialization, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (2007)
• BA – Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

Professional Memberships

• Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education (ARYSE)
• Cultural Humility and Equity Collaborative
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Office of Equity and Inclusion Consultant
• Global Social Work Mercy Higher Education Collaboration

Research

Interests: Cultural humility, diversity and equity; Professional social work education; Collaborative discussion among diverse people; Advocacy and services for immigrant and refugees in the U.S.; Community-based global learning; First generation college students

Publications

• Hartman, E., Kiely, R., Boettcher, C., Friedrichs, J., “Community-Based Global Learning: The Theory and Practice of Ethical Engagement at Home and Abroad,” Sterling, Va., Stylus, 2018
• Friedrichs, J. (2016). Experiential Learning: White Paper and Strategy Map for Carlow University. (Researched and written at the request of the Provost).
• Wilsey, S., Friedrichs, J., Gabrich, C., Chung, T., “A Privileged Pedagogy for Privileged Students? A Preliminary Mixed-Methods Analysis Comparing First-Generation and Non-First-Generation College Students on Post-Evaluations of Service-Learning Courses,” PRISM, 2015
• Friedrichs, J. (6.5.2012). Faith and Service-Learning: Embracing Difficult Questions. Article written for Global Service-Learning Pedagogy and Partnership blog.
• Friedrichs, D.O., Friedrichs, J., “The World Bank and Crimes of Globalization: A Case Study,” Nick Larsen and Russell Smandych, editors, “Global Criminology and Criminal Justice,” Petersborough, Ontario, Canada, Broadview Press, 2008
• Friedrichs, D.O. and Friedrichs, J. (2008). Postmodern Theory. Pp. 68-74, in Alex Thio, Thomas Calhoun and Addrain Conyers, Editors. Deviant Behavior. Fifth Edition. Boston: Pearson.
• Friedrichs, D.O. and Friedrichs, J. (2002). The World Bank and Crimes of Globalization: A Case Study. Social Justice 29: Nos 1-2.

Awards & Recognition

• Amizade Hall of Fame Award (2024)
• Max and Esther Sestili Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018)
• Online Teaching Innovation Award Nominee (2018)
• Featured in Carlow Magazine: “Entering the Chaos of Immigration” (Fall 2018)
• Faculty Fellow, Center for Digital Learning and Innovation (2017)