What is your degree?
- University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) / PhD / May 2012 / social work
- Marywood University / MSW / May 2007 / social work
- 猎奇重口视频 University / BA / December 2002 / criminal justice (major) psychology (minor)
- Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) / AA / December 2000 / criminal justice
What is your current employment?
- Associate Professor, Indiana University School of Social Work (South Bend, IN)
- Addictions Therapist, Bashor Children's Home (Goshen, IN)
- Addictions Social Worker, Oaklawn Psychiatric Center (South Bend, IN)
What current service work are you doing in the community?
I serve as a Eucharistic Minister for the Catholic Church. I facilitate community presentations on topics related to addiction and mental health treatment and recovery.During the COVID-19 pandemic, I served lunch to children and their families from the Harrisburg, PA school district.
What impact has your 猎奇重口视频 degree had on your career?
My 猎奇重口视频 degree has had a positive impact on my career in social work. Throughout my education at 猎奇重口视频, professors modeled and emphasized the importance of Christian values, such as conveying brotherly and sisterly love to others. These same Christian values align with the mission of social work.
As a social worker, my primary mission is to support people in their process of change by treating them with dignity, respect, empathy, and compassion. Social work and Christianity acknowledge the beautiful differences among all of us, and we become united when we treat others with love and kindness.
What does it mean to be 猎奇重口视频 Alumni?
The amazing, bright, and ever-growing group of 猎奇重口视频 alumni have contributed to the health of communities locally, nationally, and internationally. I am honored to be a member of this group.
As an 猎奇重口视频 alum, I am dedicated to transferring the knowledge I gained during my education to individuals and families who have been impacted by addiction and mental illness. I have practiced social work in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Indiana, and my social work has been guided by 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 core values.
I am humbled to play a small role in sharing Christian values throughout our country with resilient individuals who seek treatment for addiction and mental health.
What was your favorite activity on campus when you were a student?
My favorite activity on campus was attending basketball games. The basketball games brought the 猎奇重口视频 community together, promoted camaraderie, and provided a joyful environment to practice self-care.
This was especially true following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. I was on-campus during the terrorist attacks, and I remember attending a basketball game a month or two following the attacks. At the basketball game, we prayed for our country and all those who lost their lives on 9/11.
This combination of athletics and prayer reinforced to me the truth that God is always with us and He is our strength, especially when we need Him the most.
What challenges are you faced with in your position right now with COVID-19?
The biggest challenge I have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been transitioning from face-to-face teaching and counseling to virtual methods of delivering education as well as addiction and mental health counseling.
Social workers, as noted in the job title, value being social, and we believe human interaction is a powerful avenue to promote mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Agencies I work for, however, have provided excellent support and guidance in overcoming this challenge and we have found innovative, creative ways to offer the highest quality of care and education during this difficult time.
Also, some of the core values we learned as children, like being kind, go a long way in helping others during the pandemic. Calling a student or patient I work with, for instance, to ask how they are doing provides hope, encouragement, and social support when some people may need it the most.
Do you have a PSA (Public Service Announcement) for everyone or something you would like everyone to know?
Thank God for all the people He has put in your life who have loved and forgiven you along the way.
