Dana Naughton

Director of the Global Health Minor & Assistant Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health

Dana Naughton, Ph.D, MSW  holds a doctorate in Adult Education & Comparative and International Education (a dual-title degree) from Penn State and a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University. She is director of Penn State’s minor in Global Health and Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biobehavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Development.  In addition to directing and advising students in the minor, she has led and supervised student field work experiences in Tanzania, Senegal and South Africa. Dana brings to the position nearly three decades experience in domestic and international health and social service agencies as an administrator, clinician and educator with a particular focus on work with individuals and families affected by forced and voluntary migration, cancer, HIV/AIDs, trauma, international adoption, and other life-changing circumstances. Her interest in experiential and transformative learning experiences has roots in her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer, her predilection for planned and spontaneous travel, and keen awareness of the life and career changing potential of intern/externships and other immersive learning opportunities.