Claymont, Delaware — Abram J. Lyons’s family proudly announces that he has earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania, marking a significant milestone in his academic and professional career.
Dr. Lyons began his academic career at Loon Lake Grade School and graduated from Deer Park High School in 2005. He went on to earn his Associate of Arts degree from Spokane Falls Community College and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho before serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Ukraine.
After returning to the United States, he earned his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Memphis. Following the completion of his graduate studies, Dr. Lyons worked as an ICWA case manager and later served as a research coordinator at Washington University, where he contributed to a National Institutes of Health–funded, multi-site alcohol intervention study with Indigenous communities.
Dr. Lyons completed his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2025. He now serves as an assistant professor of social work in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware, where he continues his work in research and teaching.
A descendant of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Dr. Lyons has built his career around advancing research that supports Indigenous communities. His work focuses on the historical and ongoing impacts of racism and colonialism on Indigenous families, as well as the role of sovereignty-affirming policies in improving community outcomes.
His achievement reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and meaningful social impact.
