DR. LINDA M. VASQUEZ

 

Executive Director

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Linda is the Executive Director at DREAM of Hattiesburg, Inc. Linda completed her Ph. D. in Human Performance (Emphasis Administration and Teaching) from The University of Southern Mississippi, School of Human Performance and Recreation. Her dissertation was “The Effects of an Experiential-Based Prevention Education Program on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Knowledge, and Social Attitudes and Skills of First-Time Offender, Non-Adjudicated Youth.” She also holds a Master of Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi and Master of Science (Therapeutic Recreation) from Oklahoma State University. Awards include the National Association of Social Workers Mississippi Chapter Social Worker of the Year 2012, Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP) Prevention Professional of the Year 2006, Mississippi Prevention Professional, MAHPERD Recreation Community Teaching Award, the Mississippi School for Addiction Professionals Herbert L. Loving Outstanding Service Award 2016, The University of Southern Mississippi, School of Social Work Research and Leadership awards and NCAA full scholarship collegiate assistant coach (The University of Southern Mississippi) and full scholarship collegiate athlete (Oklahoma State University). Linda also participated in Florida’s Ironman in 2015.

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Linda has been recognized as an Internationally Certified Addiction Professional by the Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals. She has also completed an Iron Man as a fundraising event for DREAM of Hattiesburg, Inc. among many other such sporting events. Each year, she hosts many field students from The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University in various disciplines such as social work, child and family studies, and public health. Her awards include the National Association of Social Workers Mississippi Chapter Social Worker of the Year 2012; MAHPERD Recreation Community Teaching Award, MAHPERD Pride in Teaching Award 1998; the Mississippi Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Health Educator of the Year 2002; MAAP Prevention Professional of the Year 2006; and The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work Research and Leadership awards. She also held positions as NCAA full scholarship collegiate assistant coach (The University of Southern Mississippi) and full scholarship collegiate athlete (Oklahoma State University) among many other recognitions.