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Mary L. Ohmer, Assistant Professor

mohmer@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-1053
Fax: 404-413-1075

Office Location: Urban Life Building, Suite 1244

EDUCATION

Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
M.S.W., University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
MPIA, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Latin American Studies Certificate, University of Pittsburgh.

PRIMARY RESEARCH INTERESTS

Primary research interests include community organizing and development, community collaboration and partnerships, neighborhood social processes, community intervention research, and program evaluation.

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

  • Community Organizing and Development
  • Community Collaboration and Partnerships
  • Neighborhood social processes (i.e., collective efficacy, social ties and interaction, community participation)
  • Community Intervention Research
  • Program evaluation and evidence-based practice, particularly in community practice.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Ohmer, M. L., & Korr, W. S. (2006).  The effectiveness of community practice interventions:  A review of the literature. Research on Social Work Practice, 16(2), 132-145.
  • Ohmer, M., & Beck, E. (2006).  Citizen participation in neighborhood organizations in poor communities and its relationship to neighborhood and organizational collective efficacy.  Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, XXXIII(1), 179-202.
  • Ohmer, M. L. (2007).  Citizen participation in neighborhood organizations and its relationship to volunteers’ self- and collective efficacy and sense of community. Social Work Research, 31(2), 109-120.
  • Ohmer, M. L. (in press). Assessing and developing the evidence base of macro practice interventions with a community and neighborhood focus.  In M. Roberts-DeGennaro (Ed.), Paradigm of evidence-based macro practice [Special issue].  Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work.
  • Ohmer, M. L. (in press). The relationship between citizen participation and organizational processes and outcomes and the benefits of citizen participation in neighborhood organizations. Journal of Social Service Research.

Peer-Reviewed Book

  • Ohmer, M. & DeMasi, K. (in press). Consensus Organizing:  A Community Development Workbook: A comprehensive guide to designing, implementing and evaluating community change initiatives.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  SAGE Publications.

Refereed Presentations

  • Ohmer, M. (January 2008).  Evaluating Community Interventions:  How a Community Conservation Program Improves Distressed Communities.  Paper presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Park, W., & Ohmer, M.  (October 2007).  Hands-on Evaluation Experience for Social Work Students:  A Systems Approach.  Paper presented at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
  • Ohmer, M. & Ivery, J. (November 2006).  The Blueprint Communities Initiative:  An Evaluation of a Comprehensive Community-Based Initiative in Pennsylvania.  Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the American Evaluation Association, Portland, OR.
  • Ohmer, M. (February 2006).  Citizen Participation and Its Effects in Poor Communities: The Influence of Perceived Organizational Characteristics and Effectiveness.  Paper presented at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Chicago, IL.
  • Ohmer, M. (January 2006).  Citizen Participation in Poor Communities:  How Residents’ Perceptions of their Neighborhood Organization Influence their Involvement. Paper presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  • Ohmer, M. (January 2006).  The Influence of Motivation on Citizen Participation in Poor Communities.  Poster presented at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

COURSES TAUGHT

  • Methods of Community Research (MSW), Evaluation and Technology (MSW), Perspectives: Culture and Poverty (bachelors students), Social welfare policy (BSW and MSW), Georgia State University
  • Other courses taught: Foundations of Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (MSW), Introduction to Community Organizing and Planning (MSW), and Community Organizing Strategies and Tactics (MSW), University of Pittsburgh

SELECTED FUNDED GRANTS

  • Developing a Training Program to Facilitate Collective Efficacy (Warner, B., Ohmer, M., & Beck, E.).  Georgia State University, FY2007 Research Team Grant, July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 ($15,000).
  • Summer Research Fellowships (Ohmer, M.).  College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, Summer 2007 and 2008.
  • Summer Teaching Grant (Ohmer, M.).  College of Health and Human Sciences, Georgia State University, Summer 2007. Purpose: To develop a “hybrid” online course.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Evaluation Mentor, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (August 2007 to present)