About

Dr. Leah Gatlin, MSW is passionate about interorganizational collaboration, community service, increasing access to resources, and helping make communities better for every member.  

Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.  After completing her degree, Leah worked for the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative (NDVFRI) at the Institute for Studies of Religion under Dr. Byron Johnson and Dr. Neil Websdale (Northern Arizona University).  

After three years, Leah came back to her home state of Oklahoma to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma.  Leah focused on macro social work, including organizations, communities, and policy.  Post-MSW she worked in internal quality control at a mental health agency and then became a mental health therapist at another agency.  

In 2018, Leah was asked to join the staff at Antioch Community Church in Norman, Oklahoma to help coordinate local missions and outreach efforts.  After finishing her Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, Leah transitioned to a full-time job involving more networking and partnerships with community agencies, program planning, and strategic thinking.  

Leah's dissertation focused on how member organizations in the Texas Hunger Initiative collaborate to reduce hunger in their communities.  

Additionally, Leah has taught Lifespan Development, Groups and Organizations, and Social Welfare Policy through the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma.