Bio
LaToya D. Melton, DSW, LMSW, is a Licensed Master Social Worker with more than 20 years of professional experience in social work practice and education. She began her social work career in 2005 with a local AIDS service organization, providing case management, education, advocacy, and supportive services to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Dr. Melton has remained actively engaged in the HIV/AIDS community throughout her career and currently serves on the Board of Directors for AIDS Alabama.
Dr. Melton’s professional background includes extensive experience in social work education and field instruction. Throughout her career, she has served as a Field Instructor, BSSW Instructor, adjunct faculty member, mentor to social work students, and Faculty Advisor for the Social Work Student Organization. In 2015, she returned to direct social work practice through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs HUD-VASH Program, where she assisted Veterans experiencing homelessness with obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, accessing supportive services, and navigating complex systems of care through intensive case management. During her time with the VA, she continued her commitment to social work education by serving as an adjunct faculty member and providing field instruction and mentorship to MSW interns.
In 2018, Dr. Melton joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Social Work as an Assistant Professor of Field Education. In this role, she coordinates field practicum experiences for BSSW students and works collaboratively with students, faculty, field instructors, and community agencies to support the integration of social work knowledge, values, ethics, and practice competencies within field education. She also served UAB’s Center for Psychiatric Medicine as a flexi psychiatric social worker, providing social work services and support within inpatient psychiatric and emergency department settings.
Dr. Melton earned her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree from The University of Alabama in 2026. Her scholarly interests center on sport social work, with a particular focus on the mental health and well-being of youth athletes. Her work explores the unique psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence young athletes and emphasizes the importance of mental health literacy, supportive systems, and culturally responsive approaches within youth sports. Her passion for this area of scholarship has also been shaped by her personal experiences as a parent supporting her daughters’ participation and competition at national levels in cheerleading, dance, and softball.
Across her roles as a social worker, educator, field education professional, and scholar, Dr. Melton remains committed to preparing future social workers, strengthening community partnerships, promoting mental health and well-being, and advancing socially responsive practice across diverse populations and settings.