Faculty & Staff
As a student in our social work programs, you’ll be mentored by a diverse faculty that shares your passion for equity, social justice, inclusion and service. They are experts in a wide range of disciplines, from early childhood development, grief, and geriatric social work practice to alcohol and drug counseling, crisis response and intervention, adoption, and child welfare.
Collectively, they are committed to your development as a competent, ethical social worker who practices with integrity, values the dignity and worth of all people, and advocates for marginalized and vulnerable individuals and communities.
Faculty
Yong Qiang Zheng, PhD, MSW
Director, Master of Social Work Program
Associate Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Aging Populations
- End of Life Care
- Grief
Erin Johnson, MSW
Associate Dean, Behavioral Health Sciences
Director, Bachelor of Social Work Program
Associate Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Play Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Collaborative Problem Solving
Steffanie Altenbern, DHSc, MSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Homeless and at-risk populations
- Program development
- Healthcare disparities and policy
Rhonda Andrews, LCSW, MSW, RPT-S
Director of Practicum Education, Master of Social Work Program
Associate Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Play Therapy
- Adoption
- Child Welfare
- Attachment
- EAGALA, equine assisted therapy
Daphne Vaughn, MSW, BS
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Early childhood development
- Parenting support and education
- Developing social service delivery models in organizational settings
Jeongah Kim, PhD, MPA, BSW
Associate Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Bridging science and religion/spirituality in social work practice
- Ethics and epistemology in social work
- Forgiveness and conflict resolution
- Concept analysis and systematic review
Young-IL Kim, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology
Areas of Expertise
- Sociology of family
- Sociology of religion
- Volunteering
- Social trust
- Applied research
Kathryn Saunders, MSW
Visting Assistant Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Health care administration
- Geriatrics
- Servant leadership
- Crisis intervention
- ASIST Suicide Intervention
Ali Toedtemeier, MSW, LCSW
Director of Field Education, Bachelor of Social Work Program
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Areas of Expertise
- Individual therapy for adults
- Alcohol and drug counseling
Staff
Trisha Stickler
Admissions Counselor, Master of Social Work Program