Dr. Satara Charlson

Dr. Charlson is a creative social work educator who is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. For the last ten 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. 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 Armstrong worked in public health and as a transplant social worker. A passionate advocate for health equity, Charlson specializes in aging, addressing health disparities for marginalized populations, and the relationship between art and social justice and her research agenda focuses on positive aging, health disparities in organ donation and transplant for Native Americans, online education, as well as the role art plays in social change. Dr. Charlson enjoys facilitating art for elders, veterans and survivors of domestic violence.