LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Glenn Sterner, Ph.D., will join the college as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.
An applied scholar, Sterner brings a deep commitment to community-based research and engagement, leading projects that span substance use, human trafficking, gambling, and public safety. He will also be tasked with developing and directing a new applied research center designed to enhance criminal justice and community safety in Kentucky, across the country, and internationally.
“Dr. Sterner’s ability to bridge rigorous research with community-centered solutions—particularly around substance use and public health—will greatly enhance our college’s mission to serve Kentucky and beyond. We’re excited to welcome him to our CoSW community,” said Dr. Jackie Duron, Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement at the CoSW.
Over the course of his career, Sterner has secured more than $12 million in local, state, and federal grant funding from agencies such as the National Institute of Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Justice, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Among his key projects are Elevate Pennsylvania, an initiative evaluating the impact of opioid settlement funding, and a National Science Foundation-funded project building AI-powered early warning systems for emerging drug threats.
“I am eager to join the College of Social Work’s Criminal Justice Program, both dedicated to impacting lives and developing innovative ways to address community safety,” said Sterner. “The creation of the new center is an excellent opportunity to grow our collective impact within the Commonwealth and in communities across the country,” he said.
Over the course of his career, Sterner has secured more than $12 million in local, state, and federal grant funding from agencies such as the National Institute of Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Justice, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Among his key projects are Elevate Pennsylvania, an initiative evaluating the impact of opioid settlement funding, and a National Science Foundation-funded project building AI-powered early warning systems for emerging drug threats.
Sterner is a frequent presenter at national and international forums, including the American Society of Criminology, the Stockholm Criminology Symposium, and the International Network of Social Network Analysts. His work has been cited by CNN, The Hill, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Department of Justice, and published in journals such as The Milbank Quarterly, Substance Use and Misuse, and The International Journal of Drug Policy.
In addition to research, Sterner has made significant contributions to public health policy and community infrastructure. He was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania’s strategy for allocating opioid settlement funds and led statewide training initiatives on overdose death reporting. He also created the Story Powered Initiative to combat stigma and co-founded Pennsylvania State University’s Substance Use Stigma Reduction Collaborative.
Sterner has received several accolades including the 2022 Rural Health Hero of the Year from the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, the Penn State Community Engagement and Scholarship Award, and recognition from the Philadelphia Business Journal as a voice for philanthropy.
He holds a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology from Penn State University and both a B.S. and M.A. from Michigan State University. Prior to his work in Pennsylvania, Sterner served as a faculty member at Michigan State and led the Bailey Scholars Program within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Outside the classroom, Sterner is an endurance athlete and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys trail racing, hiking, and camping with his husband, Dan. Raised on a small farm in Pewamo, Michigan, Sterner continues to draw on his rural roots as a guiding influence in his community-driven work.
