School of Social Work Welcomes Three New Faculty Members
The School of Social Work proudly welcomes three new full-time faculty members.
- Dejah Alston, MSW, LCSW
- Noah Brierton, MSW, LCSW
- Melissa Jenkins, Ph.D., MSW
Dejah Alston
Licensed clinical social worker Dejah Alston began her teaching career as a part-time lecturer for the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work in 2024. Her interest in mental health, human behavior, and clinical practice has led her to work across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work. In addition to her faculty position, she continues to serve the community as a clinical supervisor for a nonprofit organization that identifies and addresses health disparities in underserved communities. Alston is a proud alumna of the School of Social Work, having earned her Master of Social Work degree from UNC Charlotte and her undergraduate social work degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Noah Brierton
Noah Brierton is a licensed clinical social worker with more than eight years of experience in homeless services. He began his social work career as a case manager for Mecklenburg County Government before serving as a program manager for Roof Above, a housing-first nonprofit organization serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Brierton joined the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work as a part-time lecturer in 2024 and has continued providing outpatient therapy and support to LGBTQI+ youth and older adults as they navigate challenges related to communication, boundaries, and addiction. His academic and professional interests include analysing the neuroscience of addiction, harm reduction, and the intersection of social work and philosophy. Brierton earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2014 and a Master of Social Work in 2016, both from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Melissa Jenkins
Melissa Jenkins joins the School of Social Work as a full-time faculty member following her postdoctoral training at the Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center. Her research focuses on promoting positive mental and behavioral health among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as examining risk factors for (and prevention of) violence and exploitation, including human trafficking. Drawing from her passion for community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, Jenkins develops comprehensive interpersonal violence prevention programming that balances safety and empowerment. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Meredith College and a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.