Leigh Hicks

Dr. Leigh Hicks earned a Ph.D. in Human Services with a concentration in Clinical Social Work from Walden University and has more than 25 years of experience in social services, criminal justice, higher education, and community advocacy. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Barbara Solomon School of Social Work at Walden University. Her professional expertise includes restorative justice, juvenile services, mental health, human trafficking, domestic violence, victim advocacy, and criminal justice.
Dr. Hicks is the Founder and Executive Director of Footsteps 2 Success, Inc. and a former Deputy Sheriff with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. She established the Miss Willow Lane Pageant and Miss Footsteps 2 Success Pageant to empower and mentor young women through leadership and personal development initiatives.
Her honors include the Champions for Children Award, the Emerging Community Star Award, and the Pioneer Award for her continued service and impact within the community. Dr. Hicks is also a certified mediator through the Midlands Mediation Center.
A former student-athlete at Benedict College, Dr. Hicks competed in Track and Field and Cross Country and is being inducted into the Benedict College Athletic Hall of Fame. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. ​Dr. Hicks has one son, Kamauri, and resides in Columbia, SC.

Courses Taught

SOCW 6101 - Essential Skills for Social Work Practice

SOCW 6002 - Changing Lives

SWLB 0651 - Social Work Skills Lab 1

Education

PhD, Walden University

MSW, University of South Carolina

BS, Benedict College

MS, Walden University

Public Service

Footsteps 2 Success, Inc., Other - Columbia

Richland County Sheriff's Department, Other - Columbia

Community Project, Organizer - Clemson

Awards / Honors

All Conference Track and Field, Benedict College, 2000

Champions for Children Award, South Carolina Department Of Juvenile Justice, 2008

Emerging Star, Homeless No More, Inc./Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County., 2023

Miss Benedict College National Alumni Association Runner-up, Benedict College, 2009

Miss Young Alumni, Benedict College, 2009

Outstanding Leadership Award, Benedict College, 2001

Presentations

Hicks, L. (2022). "No weapons formed against me shall prosper!". Footsteps 2 Success, Inc.

Hicks, L. D. (2019). Human Sex Trafficking. Office of Business Opportunities, City of Columbia, Radio Station

Hicks, L. D. (2021). Human Trafficking Exists. Don't Be A Statistic.. National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.