Faculty Profile for Dr. Anissa Chitwanga
Biography Section
Biography and Education
Dr. Chitwanga earned her bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the University of Malawi with a minor in Psychology, an MSW from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research centers on several key areas: Advancing mental health equity among at-risk populations, with a particular emphasis on young women in marginalized communities, access to public benefits for minority groups and immigrants, the use of simulation as a pedagogical tool for teaching social work ethics, values, and cultural competency, and the dynamics of unhealthy sexual relationships between young women and older men, particularly the Blesser/Slay Queen phenomenon (A variation of Sugar Daddy relationships). She is particularly interested in the mental, sexual, and reproductive health of young women involved in these relationships. She is passionate about qualitative research and is trained in Attachment Style Interviewing.Teaching Interests
Diversity and Social JusticePoverty & Social Change
Macro Social Work Practice
Social Welfare Policy
Social work with women
Research Methods
Human Behavior
Research Interests
Mental health equity, poverty, global social work, social justice, diversity in social work, simulations as a tool for the advancement of social work education, intervention/implementation research and community engaged researchSelected Scholarly/Creative Work
- Laursen, T., Mahoney, J., & Chitwanga, A. S. (2025). Trauma-Informed Response and Social Justice Through Simulations With Police. Social Work and Simulations: Teaching Practice, Research, Policy and Social Injustices (p. 201). United States: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197770498.001.0001
- Andrade, F., Chitwanga, A., & Sun, K. (2025). Adapting Simulations to Different Settings: Learning from Experience. Social Work and Simulations: Teaching Practice, Research, Policy and Social Injustices (p. 201). United States: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197770498.001.0001
- Jones, K. V., Chitwanga, A. S., Qiu, Q., Avery, A., Yemets, D., Theard-Griggs, C., … others. (2024). Racial and Ethnic Differences in Time to Completion of Academic Enrichment Program Applications. Cureus, 16(5).
- Okumu, M., Logie, C. H., Chitwanga, A. S., Hakiza, R., & Kyambadde, P. (2023). A syndemic of inequitable gender norms and intersecting stigmas on condom self-efficacy and practices among displaced youth living in urban slums in Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study. Conflict and Health, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00531-y
- Chitwanga, A. S., & Ostler, T. (2022). Experiences and Dreams of a Young Malawi Slay Queen and Her Children: How Peer Support, Trust, and Sharing Can Address Stigma, Mistrust, and Shame. Zero to Three, 43(2), 13--18.
Selected Awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University. February 2025 - May 31, 2026
- Award / Honor Recipient: Daniel S. Sanders Peace and Social Justice Memorial Fund Travel Award, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 2023 - 2024
- Award / Honor Recipient: Jean M. Due & Marianne Ferber International Research Fund, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. April 24, 2023 - April 24, 2024
- Award / Honor Recipient: UIUC School of Social Work Professional Development Grant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. September 2021 - 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: UIUC School of Social Work Conference Travel Award, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 2020 - 2021
Selected Service Activities
Member
MSW Committee, Texas State University School of Social Work
September 2024-Present
Member
Pre-Tenure Committee, Texas State University School of Social Work
September 2024-Present
Member
Texas State University, School of Social Work, MSW Committee
September 2024-Present
Member
Texas State University, School of Social Work, Pre-Tenure Committee
September 2024-Present
Member
Association of Social Workers in Malawi
January 2024-Present