Teaching Expertise

• Substance use prevention initiatives in communities and college campuses

• Preventing and reducing high-risk behaviors related to alcohol and other substance use

• Motivational interviewing

Background

Professor Rhonda DiNovo joined the faculty of the College of Social Work in 2015. In 2017, she received the Two Thumbs Up Award from the University of South Carolina Office of Student Disability Services. The student-nominated award recognizes faculty and staff who have made a significant difference in a student’s experience. DiNovo was director of the University of South Carolina’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Education (SAPE) office from 2012 to 2015. The office is responsible for promoting healthy low-risk behaviors and responsible decisions. Prior to joining USC, DiNovo worked with the West Columbia Police Department as the project director for the Rise Above It Drug Free Coalition. The goal of the coalition was to bring together individuals, professionals, and local and state government and other organizations to make communities safe and drug free for youth and families.

DiNovo has presented locally and nationally on several topics, including motivational interviewing, alcohol and substance use prevention initiatives in communities and on college campuses. In 2016, she authored an article in the Journal of Social Work Education on integrating evidence-based practice into social work field education, which was designed to promote the development of students motivational interviewing and evidence-based practice skills.

In the greater Columbia area, DiNovo currently serves as an advisory member of the board for the Courage Center in Lexington, SC, a non-profit recovery service center for adolescents and families. She is also a social work consultant for the West Columbia Police Department, where she developed MSW field placements for students to conduct screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services for mental health and substance use related calls. Previously, DiNovo was a member of the Behavioral Health Services Association of South Carolina (BHSA) Marijuana Task Group planning committee.

DiNovo received a Master’s in Social Work from the Ohio State University.