Linda Schmidt

Photo of Linda Schmidt
Linda Schmidt
Assistant Professor
Office: 
(269) 387-3202
Location: 
4405 Health and Human Services Building, Mail Stop 5354
Mailing address: 
School of Social Work
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5354 USA
Bio: 

Strengthening macro practice and the reputation of the social work profession as leaders in solving complex problems is Linda’s passion. She believes every student should leave WMU School of Social Work with a strong network of people who will help them succeed.

Linda’s research is in the area of federalism and poverty policy, including:

  • whether and how states have taken responsibility for reducing poverty as part of the devolution of responsibility for programs aimed at helping people who are struggling;
  • the quantity and quality of the engagement of people in communities in the process of designing, implementing and evaluating policies and programs that target reducing poverty;
  • narratives frameworks related to how we understand social policy.

Before joining WMU in Fall 2015, Linda worked in state government as Director of the Center for Transformation, designing and implementing innovative approaches, Poverty Policy Director, and Federal Policy Director. Previously, she worked ten years in local, state and national groups focused on intimate partner violence and community organization.