Isaac Akapnitis

Isaac M. Akapnitis, LMSW is a PhD student in the Arizona State University's School of Social Work and a Graduate Research Assistant with the ASU Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy. Isaac earned their Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of North Florida, and their Master of Science in Social Work with a macro concentration in Community and Administrative Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Isaac has worked with LGBTQ populations for 15 years across the South, in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Since moving to Arizona in 2013, their focus has been on youth substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and community development to support access to equitable and affirming care for LGBTQ communities. As a doctoral student, their primary research interests are suicide prevention and mental health for trans and nonbinary youth and young adults. They are currently on the board of the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition, and serve as a member of the professional advisory group for the UBU Project.

Isaac also believes in giving back to the social work profession through acting as field supervisor for social work students. They have enjoyed the privilege of supervising BSW and MSW students from Arizona State University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Texas A&M University - Central Texas.