For Knoxville native Brittney Dunn (MSSW ’25), a lifelong passion for helping others eventually led her from the world of speech pathology to social work. After spending 15 years as a speech therapist, Dunn said she began to see that social work was where she truly wanted to be.
“I’ve always been a social worker at heart,” she said. “There are a lot of misconceptions about the field, and when I was younger, I didn’t have the encouragement to pursue it. But I’ve always been drawn to service — whether as a mentor, foster parent, or volunteer.”
When Dunn decided to return to school for her Master of Science in Social Work, she chose the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. She began in the in-person Extended Study Program before transitioning online to balance school with full-time work.
Her time in the program proved transformative.
“The UT College of Social Work program really empowered me,” she said. “After my first class, I thought, ‘Yes, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.’ The faculty and students created a true sense of community, and the things I learned gave me confidence to make a difference.”
That empowerment inspired Dunn to start sharing what she was learning with others. During her first year in the program, she published Journey’s Quiet Adventure: A Story About Managing Anxiety, a children’s book designed to help kids understand and cope with anxiety through mindfulness and breathing techniques. She also published an affirmations coloring book for girls.
“We meet with the youth, their families, schools, and even the court system — every system they’re a part of,” she explained. “A lot of families come to us in a place of hopelessness. I love helping them find hope again and see that it’s not over for them or their child.”
Today, Dunn is a Family Intervention Specialist with Youth Villages, where she works directly with youth and families facing challenges like aggression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.
In addition to her professional role, Dunn channels her passion for community outreach through Rosedale, Inc., a nonprofit she founded to promote mental health awareness among youth in underserved communities. Named after a street in East Knoxville, Rosedale offers free community events that connect mental health education with identity, wellness, and empowerment.
“Our goal is to provide mental health awareness in underserved communities, so resources are open and available to everyone,” she said. “We’ve hosted everything from youth mental health trainings to a hair party that helped girls learn to care for their natural hair and build confidence.”
Dunn also continues to give back through Girl Talk, Inc., where she has served as a mentor for three years.
“Mentoring is so important,” she said. “Adolescence can be a difficult time and having just one extra person to encourage you and help you see your potential can make all the difference.”
Looking ahead, Dunn plans to take her LMSW exam this fall and will continue working toward becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with her own private practice. She also hopes to expand Rosedale’s reach, partnering with schools and community centers to make mental health education accessible to more youth and families.
“I just want to continue to educate and empower youth and their families around mental health,” she said. “My goal is to grow Rosedale in Tennessee and across the country to serve wherever there’s a need.”