Dr. Satara Charlson
Dr. Satara Charlson is a creative social work educator who is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students, especially in the online classroom and virtual mentorship space. For the last fifteen years, Charlson has developed and implemented innovative social work curriculum at both the masters and bachelors’ levels. She has served as a tenured professor at Northeastern State University and California Baptist University and has worked to infuse gerontology into social work curriculums, as well as connect elders and students through community art and history projects aimed at combating ageism. She is also actively involved in sharing insights on supporting military-connected students, and in building sensory experiences in the online classroom. Charlson is the recipient of the Robert C. Ford scholarship for doctoral study, the Impact Initiative Award from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and the Theology/Philosophy Departmental Scholarship from Baker University. Prior to entering academia Charlson worked in public health and as an organ transplant social worker. A passionate advocate for health equity, Charlson specializes in aging and addressing health disparities for marginalized populations. Her research has focused on health disparities in organ donation and transplant for Native Americans, online education, as well as the role art plays in social change.
Education History
2009 - Ph.D. in Human Services, Capella University
- Dissertation: "A Willingness to Donate Organs Among Members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Oklahoma"
1999 - MSW, University of Kansas
1997 - BA Psychology, Baker University
Scholarly Activities
2025
- Charlson, S. (2025). Building on the Strengths of Military Students in the Online Classroom & Virtual Mentorship Space. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NAPSA) Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
2024
- Charlson, S. (2024). Addressing Disparities in Organ Donation and Transplants for Native Americans. 25th Annual American Indian Studies Conference. University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2023
- University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center Bridging Differences in Higher Education Fellow 2023 Cohort.
2022
- Charlson, S. (2022). Creating Sensory Experiences in the Online Classroom. International Conference on Distance Learning and Education (ICDLE). Barcelona, Spain.
- Charlson, S. (2022). The Role of Higher Education in Humanizing Older Adults. American Society of Aging (ASA) Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
2018
- Armstrong, S. (2018). Unseen in the I.E.: Elder Abuse & Neglect
Art display and panel discussion.
Women in Leadership Quarterly Meeting.
2015
- Armstrong, S. (2015). Quantitative and Qualitative Insights on Organ Donation among Native Americans in Oklahoma. Native Research Network Annual Conference.
2011
- Armstrong, S. (2011). Theatrical Storytelling: Culturally Relevant Health Promotion to Decrease Health Disparities in Organ Transplants within Native American Nations in Oklahoma.
New York University’s Forum on Theatre and Public Health.
Professional Experience
2015-2018: Professor & MSW Founding Director, California Baptist University
2012-2015: Associate Professor, Social Work, Indiana Wesleyan University
2009-2012: Assistant Professor, Social Work, Northeastern State University
Education History
2009 - Ph.D. in Human Services, Capella University
- Dissertation: "A Willingness to Donate Organs Among Members of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Oklahoma"
1999 - MSW, University of Kansas
1997 - BA Psychology, Baker University
Scholarly Activities
2025
- Charlson, S. (2025). Building on the Strengths of Military Students in the Online Classroom & Virtual Mentorship Space. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NAPSA) Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
2024
- Charlson, S. (2024). Addressing Disparities in Organ Donation and Transplants for Native Americans. 25th Annual American Indian Studies Conference. University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2023
- University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center Bridging Differences in Higher Education Fellow 2023 Cohort.
2022
- Charlson, S. (2022). Creating Sensory Experiences in the Online Classroom. International Conference on Distance Learning and Education (ICDLE). Barcelona, Spain.
- Charlson, S. (2022). The Role of Higher Education in Humanizing Older Adults. American Society of Aging (ASA) Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.
2018
- Armstrong, S. (2018). Unseen in the I.E.: Elder Abuse & Neglect
Art display and panel discussion.
Women in Leadership Quarterly Meeting.
2015
- Armstrong, S. (2015). Quantitative and Qualitative Insights on Organ Donation among Native Americans in Oklahoma. Native Research Network Annual Conference.
2011
- Armstrong, S. (2011). Theatrical Storytelling: Culturally Relevant Health Promotion to Decrease Health Disparities in Organ Transplants within Native American Nations in Oklahoma.
New York University’s Forum on Theatre and Public Health.
Professional Experience
2015-2018: Professor & MSW Founding Director, California Baptist University
2012-2015: Associate Professor, Social Work, Indiana Wesleyan University
2009-2012: Assistant Professor, Social Work, Northeastern State University
Related Programs
