Faculty Profile

My name is Ama Agyemang Larsen. I was born in Ghana, West Africa but spent most of my life in several different African countries (including Ghana, Nigeria, and the Gambia) and in several U.S. states. I received my master's in clinical social work from Michigan State University and my doctorate from the University of Southern California. My professional highlights include working at Spring Arbor University, at the Kinship Care Resource Center, the Children’s Trust Fund, and with an online counseling platform called Talkspace.

I am a full-time faculty in the Social Work department at SAU. As a professor, I enjoy teaching and supporting students. My areas of interest include adverse life experiences and the development and reduction of anxiety through the human life span.

As a previous Program Manager for the Kinship Care Resource Center through the School of Social Work at Michigan State University, I had the opportunity to advocate for the statewide needs of relative caregivers for children, raised over $450,000 from state appropriations and small grants to cover some of the center’s operational costs and services, and lead the passage of Public Act 260 in Michigan to provide foster care funds to relative caregivers who have guardianship of children in their care. In Michigan, I have conducted various trainings, presentations and workshops for caregivers for children and professionals including social service and medical workers, managers, directors and legislators.

I worked for the State of Michigan’s Department of Human Services as a Departmental Analyst with the Children's Trust Fund and as a project lead for a shaken baby prevention project in Southeast Michigan. The Children’s Trust Fund provides statewide grants to the community to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Working for Talkspace as a licensed mental health clinician has been a joy in witnessing the growth of clients and watching their inspiring transformation.

 My favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)- For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In June of 2024, I celebrated my 10-year anniversary at Spring Arbor University as a full time Associate Professor. I am proud to be part of a University that deeply and patiently cares for the educational, emotional and spiritual needs of students.