Matthew Silvey, MSSW, LCSW, JD

Matt Silvey began working with students at Tennessee Tech in 2014 as an adjunct instructor, and he joined the Department of Sociology & Political Science full-time as a Lecturer in 2022. He earned his B.S. in History from Tennessee Tech University in 2000, Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2008, and Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Nashville School of Law in 2016. Mr. Silvey teaches Social Work values, concepts, and ethics. His courses include Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, Generalist Case Management, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and Probation & Parole. Mr. Silvey has a special interest in teaching the intersection of professional practice, public policy, and the justice system, and has developed special topics courses such as Social Welfare Policy and Law in Social Work Practice.

Mr. Silvey is a licensed attorney and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Tennessee. His clinical experience includes community mental health, forensic social work in the public defense system, hospice care, and public guardianship, as well as private psychotherapy practice with individuals, couples, and families. He has provided legal representation to low-income and otherwise vulnerable citizens in the Upper Cumberland in a broad range of civil issues including divorce, domestic violence protective orders, debt collection defense, predatory lending practices, public housing and eviction defense, and administrative proceedings regarding access to public health and benefits. He currently serves as the Support Coordinator for The TN Tech Center for Addiction Prevention & Support.