Jolene, with long brown hair, smiles slightly at the camera.

Jolene Wright

Instructor

(she/they)

Biography

It was through Jolene’s extensive background in human resources and leadership that she made the decision to return to school for her social work education to explore the relationship between the professional and personal self. During this educational and employment journey, she began to see the injustices and inequalities that many of those living outside the margins experience. Jolene’s social work practice focused on mental health and health care administration working with gerontology, acute psychiatry and the LGBTQ2+ populations. She also has a strong background in policy work, administration, and regulatory practice.

During Jolene’s social work practice, she discovered the lack of resources and support for the LGBTQ2+ population, especially in central Alberta within the health care system. The desire to create an environment of diversity and inclusion prompted her to pursue her PhD with the University of Lethbridge. Jolene has always had a passion for education and sees this as a conduit to bridge understanding and create social awareness and change. Her focus will be looking at the experiences of LGBTQ2+ people within the health care system.

Being an alumna of Red Deer College, from both the social work and business administration diploma programs, Jolene is honored to be teaching in the institution where her educational journey began.

Education

MHSX, Human Sexuality, California Institute of Integral Studies
MSW, Social Work, University of Calgary
BSW, Social Work, University of Calgary
RSW, Alberta College of Social Work
Somatic Experiencing, Beginner Level 3, Somatic Experiencing International
EMDR, Level 1, EMDR Consulting
Cognitive Based Therapy certificate – University of Calgary

Scholarly Activity

Conference Presentations

Wright, J. (2018) Trans Health Awareness. Red Deer, Alberta. Central Alberta Social Work Conference
Spencer, E., Wright, J. (2021) Social Work Leadership in Canada: An Exploratory Study. Red Deer Polytechnic
Wright, J. (2022) Shine a Light: Social Work Leadership in Canada. Canadian Association of Social Work Education