Dr. Phyllis E. Gillians has been a professional social worker since 1990. Dr. Gillians is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Bowie State University. Her prior work experience includes supervision of social workers in Connecticut State Government-Foster Care, Adoption and Treatment Services; and investigative casework in Florida State Government. 

Her primary areas of focus are: Child Welfare, Cultural Competence, Bullying, and Racial Profiling. Prior to her relocation to Maryland, Dr. Gillians worked as an Assistant to the Dean/Student Programs at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service and Adjunct Professor teaching Introduction to the Profession of Social Work and Understanding Diversity in the Workplace at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York from 2005 through 2014. In 2007, she served as a field instructor for Fordham College of Liberal Studies, teaching Integrative Seminar for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program.

Dr. Gillians received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C and a Master of Social Work degree with a Specialization in Children and Their Families from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.  She received a Post-Masters Certificate in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Dr. Gillians completed her Doctor of Education Degree in Executive Leadership, Administration & Policy at Fordham University Graduate School of Education. Her Dissertation is titled: Principals’ Understanding of Bullying: How Four Administrators Set Policies In Their Schools”.  Her current book titled, Keeping Children Safe and Alive: Strategies To Stop Bullying and Prevent Suicide is in review with Information Age Publishing, Inc. Dr. Gillians is a part-time student at Fordham University Law School where she is earning her Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance Program.

Hailing from Orange, New Jersey, Dr. Gillians lives in Bowie, MD. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.