Dr. Margaret L. Spearmon is a senior lecturer emerita and director for community engagement at the UW School of Social Work. She is the co-founder of Inclusive Engagements, LLC. In social work education, Dr. Spearmon has held both teaching and administrative positions at Case Western Reserve University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Temple University, and the University of Washington. Positions held include Director of Field Education, Director of the Bachelor of Arts Program, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Dean of Professional Development and Community Partnerships. Social Work Management Practice, Integrative Seminar, and Cultural Diversity are among the primary courses taught by Dr. Spearmon. Leading the study abroad programs to Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa have been transformative experiences for herself and participating students.

In 2019, she received the prestigious UW David Thorud Leadership Award for her commitment to diversity and inclusionary leadership and her track record of creativity and innovation.

As a consultant Dr. Spearmon facilitates, training and coaching in the areas of managing a diverse workforce, building multicultural learning environments, team and community building, intergroup dialog, program management, community planning and strategic planning. A dynamic, enthusiastic, facilitator of change, Dr. Spearmon is distinguished by her passion for building responsive and inclusive teaching and learning communities. Her contagious enthusiasm instills in her and her team members extraordinary energy and dedication where creativity and innovation are encouraged. 

Dr. Spearmon’s volunteer and community involvement has comprised serving on several children, youth and family services’ boards of directors and advisory groups, such as National CASA, Girl Scouts of America, United Way Services, National Council of Human Relations, Harambee Services to Black Families and Atlantic Street Center.

After completing her public school education in Cleveland, Ohio and after a study abroad experience in Germany, Dr. Spearmon received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, earned a Masters of Social Work Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and a doctorate from the College of Education, University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Spearmon is perhaps most proud of her loving and accomplished children: her son Shaun, a graduate of Morehouse College, Atlanta, and daughter-in-law Brooke, a Spelman alumnus. Both have earned Masters of Business Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Her beloved granddaughters Ava Noelle and Olivia Hope bring her phenomenal joy.

A vibrant, strong, passionate and articulate woman of purpose; Dr. Spearmon is an ordained minister (Itinerant Deacon) and is an active member of Seattle’s First AME Church. Most significantly, she is a servant leader; one who is dedicated to facilitating healing, change and transformative experiences for individuals, groups, communities and organizations.