Chidimma Ozor Commer, PhD, LMSW
702-204-5924 // cozor@umich.edu // LinkedIn
Education
PhD University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA | Global Inclusion and Social Development | May 2024
MSW University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Social Work, Concentration: Interpersonal Practice, Practice Area: Health | July 2020
MA University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI | Liberal Studies, Concentration: Organizations | December 2005
BA University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Organizational Studies | August 2001
Research Experience
University of Massachusetts, School of Global Inclusion and Social Development, Boston, MA | September 2020 to Present
Graduate Student Researcher
· Manages the collection, analysis, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative data to investigate:
o the relationship between self-care for social workers who identify as advocates and/or activists (interviews);
o the relationship between Black and white women in various contexts using Black feminist thought (interviews);
o the impact of transracial adoptions for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) / People of Color (POC) / People of the Global Majority (PGM) (surveys);
o how social responsibility organizations (SROs) contribute to social exclusion and are complicit with white saviorism (interviews);
o conscious consumerism and its relationship with white saviorism and the white savior industrial complex (WSIC) (interviews); and
o the impact of cultural scripts on identity development, emotions and institutional work, impression and identity management, and leadership (comprehensive literature reviews).
· Academic writing including, but not limited to, writing academic journal articles.
· Provides research support including collection, data analysis, reporting and other writing, collaborative, and administrative support to various Institutes and projects on campus:
o Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
o Inclusive Development Partners (IDP)
▪ Multi-Country Study on Inclusive Education (MCSIE)
o Sustainable Solutions Lab (SSL)
▪ Northeast Climate Justice Research Collaborative
▪ Climate Inequality and Integrative Resilience (CLIIR) Center
University of Michigan, School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI | January 2020 to July 2020
Editor
· Began the process to resuscitate a student-run peer-based academic journal, Michigan Journal of Social Work and Social Welfare.
University of Michigan, School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI | September 2019 to July 2020
Graduate Student Researcher
· During the Winter 2020 semester, worked on one (1) independent study for action-based learning with clinical-track faculty members on police research and policy work.
· During the Fall 2019 semester, worked on two (2) different independent studies for action-based learning with tenure-track and tenured faculty members on transgender health disparities and the impact social workers can have on inspiring their communities to participate in activism and advocacy while also engaging in self-care, respectively.
University of Michigan, ADVANCE Program, Ann Arbor, MI | November 2017 to August 2019
Research and Evaluation Manager
· Managed the collection (surveys and focus groups), analysis, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative data to investigate institutional diversity at the University of Michigan.
· Managed research design in coordination with department/unit/school/college leads and team members.
· Prepared presentations and reports for administrators.
· Met high academic standards for rigorous and ethical research.
· Collaborated effectively with a small team of researchers to complete over 40 studies and initiatives annually.
· Maintained collegial relationships and partnerships across the University campus.
· Supervised and mentored graduate research assistants, coordinating how they supported research activities.
University of Michigan, OVPSL, Ann Arbor, MI | January 2017 to August 2017
Project Coordinator, Graduate Student Relations
· Conducted 1:1 evaluations and led focus groups of graduate and professional students to access their needs in order to assist
University schools and colleges with providing focused resources and support for them; reported findings to the Vice President of Student Life.
· Reviewed and evaluated embedded programs with University schools and colleges by speaking with Deans, Directors and
Student Life coordinators; provided written categorization of research findings and comprehensive assessments.
· Worked in collaborative role with respective University schools and colleges based on reported findings of systemic issues and made recommendations for system changes after critical analysis of current system.
University of Michigan, OAMI, Ann Arbor, MI | September 2000 to April 2005
Research Assistant
· Tasked with coding and categorizing open-ended data from longitudinal studies that were used during US Supreme Court cases.
· Assisted with the design and development of qualitative and quantitative study instrumentation.
· Prepared tables, graphs, figures and comprehensive reports for local and national dissemination of research findings and conference presentations.
· Helped facilitate the move from hard-copy surveys to online surveys for online survey administration.
· Maintained databases and performed data entry.
· Assisted with the presentation of research findings and recommendations to University administrators.
Professional & Clinical Experience
conscious + aligned therapy, Ann Arbor, MI; Detroit, MI; and surrounding areas | June 2021 to Present
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist (passed ASWB Clinical Exam in the state of Michigan on June 2, 2021)
· Provide evidence-based psychotherapy and mindfulness practices for clients utilizing a holistic, strength-based approach to come alongside them as they heal and continue to grow in their self-determination.
· Special focus on Black women, Black people, and LGBTQ+ community members.
University of Massachusetts, School of Global Inclusion and Social Development, Boston, MA | October 2020 to Present
GEO Organizing Committee Member
· Works as a moderator for racial and social justice panels and coordinates our racial and social justice work.
· Provides active support during collective bargaining.
· Serves as researcher for member engagement and outreach, collective bargaining, member support, and is curating an opportunity for Teaching Assistants (TA) to get adequate training.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Wolverine Wellness in University Health Services) | August 2019 to July 2020
MSW Intern
· Worked closely with Program Manager and Health Educators on various programs.
· Provided 1:1 wellness coaching for undergraduate and graduate students using motivational interviewing (MI) and other evidence-based therapeutic practices.
· Co-lead group wellness coaching six-week programs for graduate and professional students using MI and other evidence-based therapeutic practices.
· Facilitated wellness workshops with staff and/or students.
Iora Health, Boston, MA (Remote) | June 2016 to November 2017
Support Specialist
· Triaged all support tickets and answered and/or route to appropriate internal teams and communicated on a wide-range of confidential and sensitive topics with physicians, team members, and patients.
· Due to nature of remote work, I had an opportunity to employ excellent and creative communication with vendors and external clients in addition with internal clients – colleagues at the Nest (HQ) and various practices.
· Managed several internal projects and program development simultaneously for various departments that added value to company.
Iora Health, Las Vegas, NV | January 2012 to April 2016
Advanced Clinical Health Coach
Patient Care & Communication
· Managed patient panel of 250-300 diverse and multicultural patients with multiple, chronic health conditions. Management included teaching patients about their conditions and illnesses, coordinating follow up care in clinic, facilitating care across multiple specialty providers, home and hospital visits, accompanying patients to appointments.
Program Development
· Regularly interfaced with sponsor (benefit administrator), Nest (headquarters) team, visitors/guests, vendors, investors, outsourcers and others.
· Implemented and conducted trainings on several new programs and initiatives.
Project Coordination
· Managed several complex projects simultaneously for various departments that added value to practice and company including leading and coordinating several team-building activities and was a consultant for team retreats and both all-Iora retreats (AIR).
Professional & Leadership Development
· Continuously invested in furthering clinical education.
· Worked as group leader manager, managing other group leaders and provided administration support for group leaders.
· Tasked to lead and coordinate case management program and create a major component, an assessment of group classes offered along with the impact for the annual report for Board of Directors meeting.
Teaching Experience
CRT (Critical Race Theory) Summer School, African American Policy Forum (AAPF) | July 2022
Teaching Assistant
· Led engagement with CRT Summer School attendees during assigned plenaries and breakout sessions.
· Provided research and administrative support to faculty presenters.
Anti-Black Racism in the US Certificate Program, Wilmette Institute | June to August 2022
Teaching Assistant
· Led breakout discussions with learners about the history of anti-Black racism in the US, how to resist it (especially as non-marginalized people), and action items to both be a bystander / upstander as well as how to influence others in community to learn more and also resist anti-Black racism.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (School of Social Work) | April 2020 to May 2020
Educational Lead
· Initiated and implemented online educational series, School’s In Session Educational Series, with two (2) colleagues during the COVID-19 global pandemic to address social work skills that our cohort had not yet learned.
· Developed educational series, School’s In Session Educational Series, curriculum in collaboration with two (2) colleagues.
· Taught and facilitated three (3) sessions for the educational series, School’s In Session Educational Series, and evaluated the educational series with a post-session evaluation. Also taught and facilitated a webinar with Ugandan powerhouse, No White Saviors, on the white savior complex.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Department of Sociology) | September 2019 to April 2020
Graduate Student Instructor
· Worked closely with faculty instructor on all facets of the course in order to meet student needs.
· Taught discussion sections to first year and second year undergraduate students.
· Developed weekly lessons and homework incorporating various educational platforms and mediums.
· Was responsible for grading assignments: weekly homework, papers, quizzes, and exams.
· Assisted with the development of exams.
· Met with students individually during office hours.
· Met with fellow graduate student instructors to discuss teaching methods.
· Evaluated and mentored undergraduate students.
Course Taught:
· Sociology 102 Introduction to Sociology: Health and Medicine
ZFlow Power Yoga Teacher Training, Multiple US locations | January 2015 to Present
Instructor, Anatomy and Physiology
· Teaches anatomy and physiology course/module, averaging 10-60 students per training, covering the following topics: anatomy, physiology, benefits of various yoga poses, locks, atom to organism overview, skeletal system, muscular system, types of joints, parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves.
· Develops quizzes, exams, and homework.
· Revises the syllabus to meet accreditation standards.
· Coordinates grading and labs with a team of four teaching assistants and the founder of the yoga teacher training.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, & Belonging / Communications Experience
University of Michigan, School of Public Health (SPH), Ann Arbor, MI | August 2022 to Present
Wellness and Inclusion Advocate, Biostatistics and Epidemiology
· Provides mental health, wellness, and well-being resources and support to graduate students in both departments through 1:1 meetings, designing and implementing professional development and social events, workshops, webinars.
· Liase with University and community partners including collaborating with other units, departments, schools, and colleges.
· Is a valuable member of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committees for SPH, Biostatistics, and Epidemiology.
· Designed strategic plan for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.
· Developed assessment tools to assess the effectiveness of content and programming.
Chidimma Ozor Consulting, Multiple US locations | September 2018 to Present
Founder & Principal
· Provides consultation, training, support, and resources in the following areas:
o Anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity, and inclusion
o Curriculum consultation including syllabus revisions
o Policies and procedures review
o Leadership
o Strategic plans and implementation
· Curriculum consultation
conscious + aligned (formerly theTYPEAhippie), Ann Arbor, MI | November 2016 to Present
Founder
· Researches and conducts interviews with local, state, national and global thought leaders on weekly social justice podcast on various topics related to public policy, self-care, higher education, diversity, equity and inclusion and also including issues that carry significant stigma like substance use disorder, domestic violence (intimate partner violence) and sexual assault, and mental illness.
· Works with different populations within various communities representing a multitude of diverse identities.
· Writes newsletter, online blog posts, and articles on the aforementioned topics.
Publications
Journal: Published or Forthcoming
Under review: Ozor Commer, C. Dignified Partnership in Black and White: A Critical Analysis on the Clash Between Black Feminist Thought and White Saviorism. Gender and Society.
Ozor Commer, C. (2024). When Conscious Consumerism Backfires: A Critical Study on Social Exclusion, Partnerships, and White Saviorism. Sociology Study, 14(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5526/2025.01.
Ozor Commer, C. (2023). When ‘Good Intentions’ Backfire: A Case for Non-Transracial Legal Guardianship Rather Than Adoption and Why Transracial Adoptions Are Not Trauma Informed. Abolitionist Perspectives on Social Work, 1(1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.52713/apsw.v1i1.16.
Book Chapter
Ozor, C. (2013). Let it be from today. In K. R. Naasel (Ed.), Bet on Black: African-American Women Celebrate
Fatherhood in the Age of Barack Obama, pp. 166-72. Kifani Press.
Panels, Presentations, and Invited Lectures
Presenter, “Let’s Talk About Wellness: Race, Ethnicity, and Wellbeing at a Predominantly White Institution,” given at the Depression on College Campuses Conference, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (virtual), 9 March 2021.
Panelist, McCormack (Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies) Racial Equity Task Force (MRET) Microaggressions Workshop, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA (virtual), 3 December 2020.
University of Michigan School of Social Work Spring 2020 Commencement Speaker
Postponed due to COVID-19 | Moderator, “Racism in Healthcare Panel,” University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI, 7 April 2020.
Postponed due to COVID-19 | Moderator, “Social Work: The Honest Deep Dive Panel,” University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI, 24 March 2020.
Postponed due to COVID-19 | Presenter, “Becoming a Change Agent: Connecting the Dots of DEI Work,” University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, Ann Arbor, MI, 24 March 2020.
Postponed due to COVID-19 | Presenter, “Let’s Talk About Wellness: Race, Ethnicity, and Wellbeing at a Predominantly White Institution,” given at the Depression on College Campuses Conference, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 19 March 2020.
Presenter, “How Social Work Can Provide a Framework for Navigating the Joy and Urgency of Today’s Troubling Times,” given at the 3rd Annual Data for Public Good Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 25 February 2020. Theme: Finding Meaning Through Inquiry: Using Data to Enhance the Student Experience.
Presenter, “Social Work, Self-Care, and Sustainability: Decreasing Burnout in the Field,” University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI, 6 December 2019.
Presenter, “What’s Your Gender?: Exploring Research and Tools for Inclusive Gender Assessment,” given at the 16th Annual Student Life Research Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 15 May 2019. Theme: Finding Meaning Through Inquiry: Using Data to Enhance the Student Experience.
Panelist, “Uganda Panel,” Sseko Summit, Portland, OR, 20 July 2018.
Professional Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers | September 2019 to Present
Member
· Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.
Board Memberships
Nurturely | May 2023 to Present
Board President
· Founded to not only support perinatal wellness access but to reduce barriers, especially for Black mothers and birthing people.
LivingWell Project | June 2022 to Present
Board Advisor
· Founded to support Black women in recovery as well as provide peer support trainings.
United Black Mothers of America | February 2021 to Present
Board Advisor
· Founded to support and strengthen the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of Black mothers. Championing self care for Black mothers where we can safely walk, talk, and be well together to strength our social, physical, and emotional wellness. Working towards a world where Black mothers can protect their health and wellness without guilt; and allies want to support and listen.
Scholarships
Global Activities Scholar Program (GASP) Recipient, University of Michigan School of Social Work | September 2019 to July 2020
Participant
· The Global Activities Scholar Program (GASP) provides a unique opportunity for students interested in working with individuals, communities, and organizations in a global context as part of their MSW program. Up to ten incoming students are selected each year to complete a global field placement during the spring/summer term. This allows for students committed to global social work practice an opportunity to live in a foreign country while completing a part of their field placement requirement.
Dean’s Merit Mission Scholarship, University of Michigan School of Social Work | September 2019 to July 2020
· Dean's Scholarship is awarded to new and continuing students utilizing academic- and practice-related criteria as evidenced by the supplementary statement, recommendations, and other application documents in one or more of the following criteria: evidence of substantial knowledge development, evidence of substantial social work-related research, evidence of outstanding volunteer or paid social work experience, evidence of high academic achievement, or evidence of outstanding record in social activism.
Certificates
Anti-Black Racism in the US Certificate Program, Wilmette Institute | March 2022 to May 2022
· Course taught learners about the history of anti-Black racism in the US, how to resist it (especially as non-marginalized people), and action items to both be a bystander / upstander as well as how to influence others in community to learn more and also resist anti-Black racism.
Rackham Professional Development DEI Certificate Program, University of Michigan | September 2019 to April 2020
Participant and Presenter
· Program is designed to prepare participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity by increasing DEI knowledge and skills to prepare participants for a diverse and global job market, the ability to accurately define and conceptualize DEI terms, and opportunities for further engagement in DEI scholarship and leadership positions.
Languages
English: Native Language
Igbo: Native/Advanced Listener, Novice Speaker, Novice Reading and Writing
Spanish: Intermediate Listener, Novice Speaker, Novice Reading and Writing
Computer, Social Media & Other Skills
Research methods, social media strategy, digital marketing, PR strategy, web content development, podcasting, blogging, project management, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, SPSS, MAXQDA, Qualtrics, Canva, Prezi, and Tableau.