Tony Bobadilla
Associate Dean, School of Social Work and Associate Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- Doctorate of Special Education, 2017, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
- Master of Social Work, 2013, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
- Bachelor of Social Work, 2011, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, 2011, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 681 Advanced Field Practicum I
- SWK 615 Social Work Clinical Assessment and Intervention
Biography
Contact Information
Sarah Guck
BSW Field Director and Associate Professor of Social work
Department
Education
- BSW - New York University - 1988
- MSW - New York University - 1989
- MDiv - Episcopal Divinity School - 2016
Disciplines
- Social Work
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 398
- SWK 492
- SWK 499
- ALAS 1820
Biography
Contact Information
Estilla S. Lightfoot
MSW Program Director/Assistant Professor
Department
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work - Tulane University - City, Culture, and Community Interdisciplinary Program - 2022
- Master of Social Work with Disaster Mental Health Certificate - Tulane University - 2011
- Bachelor of Fine Arts - University of New Mexico - 2004
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 406/506 - Social Work in School Settings
- SWK 630 - Social Welfare Policy
Biography
Contact Information
Eric Moore
BSW Program Director / Associate Professor
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
SOWK 2110 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
SOWK 1110 Ethics in Social Work & Human Services
SWK 304 Writing for Social Work
SWK 342 Human Behavior & the Social Environment
SWK 345 Theoretical Foundations & Techniques in Social Work
SWK 386 Social Work Micro Practice
SWK 403 Social Welfare Policy
SWK 460 Social Work Research Methods
SWK 461 Social Work Research Project
SWK 488 Social Work Macro Practice
SWK 492 Social Work Field Placement I
SWK 499 Social Work Field Placement II
SWK 501 Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice
SWK 502 Intro. to Advanced General SWK Practice
SWK 510 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SWK 511 Generalist Social Work Practice
SWK 522 Group Dynamics in Social Work Practice
SWK 527 Theories and Techniques of Clinical SWK Practice,
SWK 610 Social Work Administration and SupervisionSWK
615 Social Work Clinical Assessment and InterventionSWK
620 Advanced Psycho-Social Approaches for SWK PracticeSWK
621 Community Organization and Development SWK
630 Social Welfare PolicySWK
640 Applied Social Work ResearchSWK 682 Advanced Field Practicum IISWK
514 Disabilities & Empowerment,
SWK 523 Intro to Outdoor Behavioral Health
524 Adventure/Experiential Therapy and Related Modalities
SWK 526 Eco Social Work
Biography
Contact Information
Louise Ortega-Senter
MSW Field Director and Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- MSW, 2011, Western New Mexico University
- BSW, 2007, Western New Mexico University
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 470/570: Child Welfare
- SWK 503: Social Work Practice with the Aged
- SWK 510: Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SWK 515: Disability and Empowerment
- SWK 516: Medical Social Work Practice
- SWK 527: Theories and Techniques in Clinical Social Work
- SWK 582: Foundation Field Practicum II
- SWK 620: Advanced Psychosocial Approach to Social Work Practice
- SWK 681: Advanced Field Practicum I
- SWK 682: Advanced Field Practicum II
Biography
Contact Information
Becky Brandsberg-Herrera
Associate Professor
Department
Education
- MSW, Washington University in St. Louis (Concentration in Mental Health with Family Therapy Specialization)
- Bachelor of Arts, Kansas State University (majors in Social Work and Spanish)
Courses Currently Taught
- SOWK 1110 Ethics for Social Work and Human Services
- SOWK 2110 Intro to Social Work and Human Services
- SWK 320 Diversity in Social Work Practice
- SWK 342 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SWK 345 Theoretical Foundations and Techniques
- SWK 386 Micro Practice in Social Work
- SWK 398 Pre-Practicum Skills Lab
- SWK 403 Social Welfare Policy
- SWK 487 Mezzo Practice in Social Work
- SWK 488 Macro Practice in Social Work
- SWK 492 Field Practicum I
- SWK 499 Field Practicum II
- SWK 497/583 Field Practicum Supervision
- SWK 416/516 Medical Social Work
- SWK 501 Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice
- SWK 502 Intro to Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice
- SWK 522 Group Work in Social Work Practice
- SWK 582 Foundation Field Practicum II
- SWK 640 Applied Social Work Research
- SWK 682 Advanced Field Practicum II
Biography
Contact Information
Jade Brown
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
Disciplines
- Child Protective Services
- Integrative Mental Health Services
- Academia
Courses Currently Taught
- Intro to Social work
- Pre Practicum
- Ethics
- Diversity
Biography
Contact Information
Sachiko Gomi
Associate Professor
Department
Education
- Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Kansas
- MSW., University of Kansas
- M.A. in Human Services, Ritsumeikan University
- B.A in Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Spirituality in Social Work
Biography
Contact Information
Susan McFeaters
Professor of Social Work, Director of Faculty Development
Department
Education
- Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work
- M.S.W., University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work (Health/Mental Health)
- B.A., Thiel College (Sociology/Psychology)
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 101: Introduction to Social Welfare and Social
- SWK 320: Diversity in Social Work Practice
- SWK 386: Social Work Micro Practice
- SWK 398: Pre-Practicum Skills Lab
- SWK 403: Social Welfare Policy
- SWK 416/516: Medical Social Work Practice
- SWK 460: Social Work Research Methods
- SWK 461: Social Work Research Project
- SWK 487: Social Work Mezzo Practice
- SWK 488: Social Work Macro Practice
- SWK 499: Social Work Field Placement II
- SWK 501 Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice
- SWK 502 Introduction to Advanced General SWK Practice
- SWK 510: Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- SWK 511: Generalist Social Work Practice
- SWK 522: Group Dynamics in Social Work Practice
- SWK 527: Theories & Techniques in Clinical Social Work
- SWK 581: Advanced Filed Practicum
- SWK 582: Advanced Filed Practicum
- SWK 615: Social Work Clinical Assessment and Intervention
- SWK 620: Advanced Psycho-Social Approaches for SWK Practice
- SWK 621: Community Organization and Development
- SWK 628: Clinical Reasoning and Formulation Work
- SWK 640: Applied Social Work Research
Biography
Contact Information
Christopher Moeller
Assistant Professor, LCSW, MSW, MS
Department
Education
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Colorado & New Mexico
- MSW, Western New Mexico University School of Social Work
- M.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Marine Chemical Ecology / Biology
- B.S., Hiram College, Biology
Disciplines
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK-522: Group Work in Social Work
- SWK-523: Introduction to Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
- SWL-527: Theories and Techniques of Clinical Social Work
- SWK-640: Applied Social Work Research
Biography
My passions lie in supporting people to become more emotionally aware and resilient. I facilitate this through individual and group sessions, and teaching. Focusing on these passions influences the way I work with people as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and teacher. I strive to help people see and face their blindspots to expand their awareness and better understand how they have been living their lives. This greater understanding allows me to teach them how to respond instead of react to life.
I spent 20 years working with adolescents (13-17), young adults, and families in the wilderness to foster personal transformation and increased connections. The wilderness allows people to naturally develop resilience and self-efficacy to face life's challenges. In addition, working with individuals in the wilderness allows a blending of individual, group, and family practice to occur in a small window of time. This blended approach supports quick growth which has been shown to support lasting change. In facilitating groups for many years, I have found them to be very beneficial. As groups organically bring up people's patterns they create opportunities to address these in the moment.
I find it is important to continually adapt and create interventions for current times. I have been fortunate to hold various leadership positions focusing on developing curriculums and teaching within wilderness therapy for staff and participants. These developments focused on holistically modernizing wilderness therapy to address current issues and perspectives. This allowed us to highlight empowerment and personal choice.
I am a life long learned which translates into my teaching. My goal as a teacher is to foster openness and critical thinking. I strive to teach concrete skills so new social workers will have skills they can easily begin to use. Even with skills, it is important to remember that individuals and situations are different and social workers must be able to critically think. They must learn to continually observe what is and is not working so they can think about what to do next. My goal is to engage students in this process so they will know how to do this when they begin working with people in their future careers.
Contact Information
Rachael Richter
Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- D.S.W. 2019, Social Work, University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University
- M.S.W., 1991, Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis
- B.A., 1989, Psychology, Miami University of Ohio
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 413/513; CJUS 413/513 Human Trafficking
- SWK 610 Social Work Supervision and Leadership
- SWK 630 Social Welfare Policyr
Biography
Contact Information
Eric Senter
Associate Professor
Department
Education
- Master's degree Social Work
- BSW degree Social Work
Disciplines
- Social Work
Courses Currently Taught
- Social Welfare Policy
- Mezzo Practice in Social Work
- Introduction to Social Work Practice with Military
- Group Dynamics
- Interviewing Techniques
- Resource and Information Literacy
Biography
Contact Information
Cynthia Simon
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- State University of New York at Albany
- Master of Social Work, May 1994
- State University of New York at Albany
- Bachelor of Social Work, May 1993
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 511 Generalist Social Work Practice
- SWK 583 Field Supervision
- SWK 615 Social Work Clinical Assessment and Intervention
- SWK 681 Advanced Field Practicum I
- SWK 682 Advanced Field Practicum II
Biography
Contact Information
Yesenia Acosta
Adjunct Professor School of Social Work, CCM, MSW, LCSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
David J. Adams
Associate Adjunct Professor of Social Work, LCSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Shana Arviso
SWK Adjunct, LBSW, MSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Kelli Barnes
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department
Education
- MSW U of Houston
- MA English Northern Arizona University
- PsyD Cal Southern University
Disciplines
- LCSW-S, MSW (Masters in Social work and licensed as well as a clinical Supervisor in MN and TX.)
- MA English with Graduate Certif. in Literary, technical, Professional Writing.
- PsyD with I/O emphasis
- Certified Mediator
Courses Currently Taught
- SW- 615, Clinical SW
- 540 Adv Research
- 502 Intro to SW
- 527 Theories and Techniques of SW
Biography
Contact Information
Denise Bennett
Adjunct Social Work Instructor, RYT-200, MBA, MSW, LCSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Stephanie Bonnette
Adjunct Social Work Professor
Department
Education
- M.A., 2011, University of South Carolina
- B.S, 2008 Kansas State University
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Jean A Briley
Adjunct Professor
Department
Biography
Contact Information
Yonzel Burt
Adjunct Social Work Professor
Department
Education
Ed.D, 2013, University of Phoenix
MSW, 2006, Springfield College BS, 2003, Springfield CollegeDisciplines
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
- Responsible for the overall coordination, administration, and management of the social work practice in all areas of the Criminal Defense Practice. These practice areas include but are not limited to, all trial offices, Post-Conviction, Special Litigation, and Exploitation Intervention Projects.
- Lead in designing protocols and facilitating training for all staff working with vulnerable and challenging clients in crisis. - Collaborate with the Director of Training to develop multidisciplinary training for legal and non-legal staff. Develop new protocols and strategies to respond to changing client service delivery needs throughout the criminal court system. - Responsible for supervising and managing the Criminal Defense Practice, Social Work Department, and supervisory staff of all units and offices. - Create and support best practices approaches to meeting staff and client needs, focusing on improving the quality of representation for clients and staff professional development. - Responsible for overseeing new social work staff hiring in the Criminal Defense Practice. - Develop policies and protocols for working with people in crisis. - Partner with the CDP Training Department, the Juvenile Rights Practices, and the Senior Leadership team members. - Responsible for collecting and reporting statistical data, grant and contract reporting concerning social work services in the Criminal Defense Practice. - Collaborate with the Grants and Contracts team to identify funding sources and create programming proposals that address clients' emerging needs. - Provide emergency office and case coverage. - Initiate and coordinate special projects. - Participate in practice-wide supervisory and management meetings. - Represent the Criminal Defense Practice at external meetings and conferences. - Oversee and lead a social work staff of 108 in the areas and titles of forensic, mitigation, immigration, mental health, homicide, post-conviction, criminal appeals, pre-arraignment, and community escorts. - Enable the System Director to cultivate a society of complete transparency. Oversee initiatives on performance and effectiveness, hiring and promotion possibilities, and challenges affecting our department and the care we deliver. Provide the most significant level of clinical care by ensuring efficiencies with all social work services. Develop new programming efforts to maximize clinically advanced and cutting-edge social work care. Facilitate the creation and implementation of Performance Improvement programs. Establish, maintain, mentor, and direct staff for the division's performance improvement activities and facilitation, optimizing current performance improvement systems. Enhance clinical, operational, and financial quality and efficiency by reviewing the satisfaction of internal and external customers. - Direct, facilitate, and organize projects to enhance social work practice, influencing communication and decision-making regarding team objectives and progress at all clinical, financial, and operational management levels. Direct initiatives to value diversity and inclusion, translating and implementing efficiencies into all areas of regulatory preparation. - Spearheaded objectives by liaising for the YNHHS Regulatory Readiness and Legal and Risk Management Departments. CORE EXPERTISE Data Analysis, Risk Management, Clinical Social Work Services, Conflict Resolution, Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Elderly and Child Protective Services, Academic Instruction, Case Management, Strategic Thinking, Program Facilitation Strategic Direction, Flexibility and Resilience, Diversity and Inclusion, and Data and Technology Management RESEARCH INTERESTS Human Behavior and the Environment, Dynamics of Racism and Oppression, Assessment and Diagnosis, Social Work Services for Older Adults, Children & Family Counseling, Substance Abuse, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit Social Justice and Equity, and Social Work Research Methods CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of Connecticut (#13528) | November 2023 –Present Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), State of Massachusetts (#128003) | May 2024-Present Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Evergreen Certification (#325700) | November 2023 – Present Certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT), Evergreen Certification (#734535) |May 2024-Present Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI Trained) Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT | September 2016 – March 2017 PUBLICATIONS Sells, Y, (2014). Involving Parents in Children’s Math Homework through Formal Parent Math Programs. ProQuest Online Publication-Dissertation. Burt, Y, (2024). Growing and Developing within the Social Work Practice: The Power of Your Language, Attitude, Tone, and Energy (L.A.T.E.): https://www.amazon.com/author/dryonzelburt PROFESSIONAL AFFILATIONS IMPACT Fairfield County-Impact Fairfield County is based on the Impact 100 collective giving model. The goal is to gather at least 100 women in the area to pool their contributions to make significant philanthropic investments in local non-profits. Through transformational grants, we are not only able to greatly improve the lives of those in our community, but we have developed a venue for women to learn about local needs, which non-profits are meeting those needs, and educating ourselves on how to put our philanthropic investments to use more effectively Fairfield County February 2022-Present.Contact Information
Budtri Chowtham
Social Work Adjunct Faculty, LCSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Jamie-Lee Connor
Adjunct Assistant Professor, DSW, LCSW
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Contact Information
Vanessa Cortez
LCSW, Adjunct Professor
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Dr Carmela G. Daniels
Social Work Adjunct Instructor, DSW, LISW-S
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Julie Franks
Associate Adjunct Professor
Department
Education
- DSW, 2019, University of Tennessee
- MSW, 2013, University of Tennessee
- MTS, 2011, Vanderbilt University
- BA, 2009, Emory University
Disciplines
- Social Work
- Theology
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 630 Social Welfare Policy
- SWK 415 and SWK 515, Psychopharmacology
Biography
Contact Information
Megan L. Garcia
Adjunct professor School of Social Work, MSW, LCSW, CIMPH
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Kathleen Gibbons
Adjunct
Department
Education
- Ph.D., 2020, Saybrook University>> Organizational Systems, Transformation and Leadership
- MSW., 1997 University of Hawaii, Manoa>>Social Work
- B.A., 1991, Emory University>>Psychology
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- Advanced Field Practicum I, SWK-681-44 FA19
- Advanced Field Practicum II
- Applied Social Work Research
- Applied Social Work Research (SWK-640-70) Fall 2024
- Applied Social Work Research (SWK-640-72) Fall 2023
- Applied Social Work Research (SWK-640-73) Fall 2023
- Applied Social Work Research, SWK-640-74, Fall 2022
- Applied Social Work Research, SWK-640-74, Spring 23
- Clinical Reasoning & Case, SWK-628-70 FALL21
- Social Work Supervision and Leadership (SWK-610-72) Summer 2024
- SWK Clinical Intervntn/Assess, SWK-615-74, Fall 2022
- SWK-580 Clinical Case Reasoning
- SWK-628-70, Clinical Reasoning & Case, SPR2021
- WKSP:Clinical Case Reasoning, SWK-580-71 FA19
Biography
Contact Information
Patty Godfrey
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department
Education
- Masters in Social Work
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology
Disciplines
- Social Work
Courses Currently Taught
- Cultural Competence
- Spirituality in Social Work
- Disabilities and Empowerment
Biography
Contact Information
Jalonta Jackson-Glasco
Adjunct - Social Work
Department
Education
- PhD, 2023, Auburn University
- MSW, 2005, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- BSW, 2004, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 501 Cultural Competence in Social Work
- SWK 610 Social Work Supervision and Leadership
- SWK 640 Applied Social Work Research
Biography
Contact Information
Dorothy Jimenez
Adjunct Faculty
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Garry Wiley Jr
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- MSW, 2019, Western New Mexico University
- BFA, 2004, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- Generalist Social Work Practice SWK 511 CRN –30412 - Summer 2022
- Generalist Social Work Pract, SWK-511-71, CRN –11452 -Fall 2022
- Generalist Social Work Pract, SWK-511-73, CRN – 205490- Spring 23
- Generalist Social Work Practice SWK 511 CRN –30566 - Summer 2023
- Generalist Social Work Pract (SWK-511-71), CRN – 11559- Fall 2023
- Generalist Social Work Pract (SWK-511-73), CRN – 11948- Fall 2023
- Generalist Social Work Pract (SWK-511-71), CRN – 21176 -Spring 2024
- Generalist Social Work Pract (SWK-511-73), CRN – 21886 -Spring 2024
Biography
Contact Information
Kara Lipps
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Miko Martin
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Audrey Medrano
Adjunct Faculty
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Joy Moody
Adjunct Professor of Social Work
Department
Contact Information
Tracy Newman
Associate Professor
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Manuel Ortega
Associate Adjunct Professor, Social Work
Department
Education
- MSW - Western New Mexico University - 2019
- BSW - Western New Mexico University - 2017
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 681
- SWK 682
Biography
Contact Information
Kristine Owens
Associate Professor, Adjunct Social Work, EdD, LMSW, MA
Department
Education
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Danielle Peters
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Rider University, 2010
- Master of Social Work, Loma Linda University, 2014
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- Medical Social Work Practice
- Advanced Psycho-Social Approaches for Social Work Practice
Biography
Contact Information
Megan Reardon
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
William Rogers
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department
Education
- M.A. (Social Work), 2018, Western New Mexico University
- B.A. (Psychology), 2004, Saint Leo University
- B.A. (Criminology), 2004, Saint Leo University
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 415/515 Psychopharmacology for Social Work
- SWK 581 Foundation Field Practicum 1
- SWK 497/583 Field Practicum Supervision
Biography
Contact Information
LeiLani Williams Sanders
Adjunct Faculty
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Stacey Schrimsher
Adjunct Faculty
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
- SW461 Research Project
- SW527 Theories and Techniques of Clinician SWK
- SW620 Advanced Psycho-Social Approaches for Social Work Practice
- SW200 History of Social Welfare
- SW205 Honors History of Social Welfare
- SW101 Orientation to Social Work
- SW 351 Social Injustice and Oppression
- SW200 History of Social Welfare
- SW450 Honors Social Work Policy
- SW101 Orientation to Social Work
- SW442 Social Work with Communities
- SW200 History of Social Welfare
- SW441 Practice with Groups
Biography
Contact Information
Kelli C Sierras
Assistant Adjunct Professor
Department
Education
- MSW, 2014, Western New Mexico University
- B.S. Criminal Justice, 2012, Western New Mexico University
- A.A. Criminal Justice, 2011, Western New Mexico University
Disciplines
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 520 Understanding Rural Community
- SWK 620 Advanced Psychosocial Approaches for Social Work Practice
Biography
Contact Information
Sierra Slay
Adjunct Faculty
Department
Education
Courses Currently Taught
Biography
Contact Information
Corinne Smorra
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department
Education
- DSW, 2019, Walden University
- MSW, 2015, Western New Mexico University
- BBA, 1992, Western Michigan University
Courses Currently Taught
- SWK 620
- SWK 621
- SWK 640
- SWK 615