Rate My Professor L. Justin Wheeler

L. Justin Wheeler is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and Field Director in the Department of Social Work at Ohio University's College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP). As the Athens Campus MSW Field Coordinator and Practicum Director, he manages field education experiences for Master of Social Work students, preparing them for licensure and practice in rural communities. Wheeler earned his Master of Social Work degree from Ohio University, with a focus in clinical practice, and is licensed as an Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LISW-S). His professional journey at Ohio University began in March 2007 as a Clinical Social Worker at Counseling and Psychological Services, where he advanced to Bobcats Who Care Coordinator until May 2021.

Transitioning to academia, Wheeler taught as an adjunct instructor for five years before assuming his full-time faculty position nearly five years ago, amassing nearly a decade of higher education experience by 2025. In his social work courses, he cultivates an environment where students from diverse backgrounds and ideologies engage thoughtfully in pursuit of knowledge, emphasizing free and rigorous inquiry. Wheeler's exemplary service earned him the 2025 Outstanding CHSP Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Support award, recognizing his support for the Great Minds Fellowship, student events, and social work month celebrations. He serves on Ohio University's Graduate Council and is a contact for the Southern Ohio Behavioral Health Initiative, which aims to diversify pathways into the behavioral health workforce in Appalachian Ohio. Wheeler commented, “Diversifying pathways into the workforce and providing support for workers to continue their education enhances the system’s ability to address behavioral health and its social determinants.” In February 2025, he testified before the Ohio Senate Higher Education Committee against SB 1, arguing it restricts educators' ability to foster intellectual diversity. Additionally, he has delivered presentations, such as 'Creative Affirming Practice with Trans Youth in Rural Areas' for the NASW Ohio Chapter in 2021, focusing on practical strategies for affirming services in rural settings.