Dr. Marlena Baxter-Dunn is an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Social Work at Grand Canyon University. She earned a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling from Liberty University in 2023. Additionally, received a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Liberty University in 2019, a Master of Social Work degree from Clark Atlanta University in 2014, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Winston-Salem State University in 2011. Marlena’s passion for social work was ignited by her desire to help people navigate difficult times with grace and dignity. She has worked with diverse groups of people in areas such as family services agencies, hospice facilities, cancer treatment centers, hospitals, emergency departments, and skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Marlena loves learning, continually researches, and is dedicated to pushing others to strive for the best. Her research interests include the intersection of grief, mental health, coping, and spirituality. Currently, Marlena is working as a community outreach coordinator being the hands and feet of Jesus. In this role, she gets to conduct in-depth community assessments and develop Christ-centered interventions to reach the vulnerable population while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with all. Marlena has taught several courses at the Master's level for GCU. She has also taught at the Bachelor's and Master's Degree levels for another institution, where she was named SME for a social work research methods course.