Education
- Ph.D. Social Work, Michigan State University
Dissertation: Examining the Effects of Religiosity on College Students with Borderline Personality Disorder
- M.S.W. University of Illinois-Chicago
Concentration: Mental Health
- B.A. International Studies, Moody Bible Institute
Courses
- Social Work Practice with Individuals and Groups (graduate)
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Introduction to Social Work
- Child Welfare
- Social Welfare Policy Analysis (also taught as a travel course in Guatemala)
- International Social Development
- Administration in Social Work (a grant writing course)
- Children and Families at Risk
- Human Diversity in Social Work Practice
- Social Work Capstone
Selected Publications
- Vulnerable Narcissism: Examining the Mediating Roles of Maladaptive Perfectionism, Self-Compassion, and Differentiation of Self (Hosack & Welton; under review)
- Invited blog contributor, Christian Scholars Review, The Last Acceptable Prejudice
- Invited blog contributor, Christian Scholars Review, Just the Answer, Please
- Invited blog contributor, Project on Rural Ministry, The Last Acceptable Prejudice
- Book Review of Social Justice Isn’t What You Think It is, Social Work and Christianity, 47, 97-99.
- Invited blog contributor, Christian Scholars Review, A Little Narcissism Inside
- Development on Purpose: Faith and Human Behavior in the Social Environment, North American Association of Christians in Social Work (2019).
- "Borderline Personality Disorder and Religiosity: Exploring the Relationship," Social Work and Christianity (2019).
- "Gratitude and the Self: Amplifying the Good Within," Co-authored with Kris Homan. Journal of the Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2019).
- Review of Social Justice Isn’t What You Think It Is (in press). Social Work & Christianity (2019).
- Review of Social Work with Families: Content and Process, Social Work & Christianity (2018).
- Kuyper College Feasibility Study (2017).
- Building Resilient Young People, op-ed in Center for Vision and Values (2017).
- “How to Get Beyond Your Tribe,” Comment Magazine (2016).
- A Fixer Upper Project of the Heart, Institute for Faith and Freedom (2016).
- “Relationships Matter, but Which Ones?” op-ed in The Institute for Faith & Freedom (2016).
- Review of A Nation of Takers, Social Work & Christianity (2016).
- Loving and Learning from Different Others, Shared Grace (2016).
- Review of Spirituality, Religion, and Faith in Psychotherapy, Social Work and Christianity (2015).
- “Who Owns Social Justice,” article in Comment Magazine (2014).
Presentations
- The Lonely Pastor, Project on Rural Ministry Annual Conference
- Positive Psychology and Pastoring, Project on Rural Ministry Annual Conference
- Building our Community, Grove City College Faculty Retreat
- Dismantling Orphanages: The Case for Family-Based Reform, Institute for Faith and Freedom Lecture Series
- The Case for Stronger Families and Fewer Orphanages, Grove City College Chapel
- Development on Purpose, Faculty Book Talk, Grove City College
- Relationships as the Means to Unity, Common Grounds, a support group for racially diverse students at Grove City College (2019)
- Funding with Grants, Social Entrepreneurship majors at Grove City College (2018)
- Loving Across Enemy Lines: Exploring Forces that Draw Us Together and Apart, North American Association for Christians in Social Work annual conference (2017)
- Social Work: An Invitation to Holy Work at Jubilee, Coalition for Christian Outreach Annual Conference (2016)
- Social Workers as Good Citizens, North American Association of Christians in Social Work annual conference (2016)
- Work as Calling, Grove City College annual faculty retreat (2015)
- Social Work: An Invitation to Holy Work, Q-Pittsburgh (2015)
- A Place for Social Work at the Human Rights Table, North American Association for Christians in Social Work annual conference (2015)
- The Contours of Abuse, Grove City College Residential Life staff (2014)
- Mindfully Christian: Examining Mindfulness from a Christian Worldview, North American Association for Christians in Social Work annual conference (2014)
What is the most important piece of advice you give students to help them succeed?
I really think understanding yourself is key to success, not just in the workplace, but in all of life. We are complex creatures, and the ways in which “our issues” creep into our work and relationships are multiple. But understanding our areas of vulnerability creates a spirit of humility and authenticity that serves us and others well.
Is there any additional personal experience you would like to share?
I came to higher education later in life after 20 years of social work practice experience, but I’m so grateful for God’s wisdom in knowing what we need and when we need it. Teaching feels like a natural extension of practice. You need to read students and classrooms carefully in order to discern whether your methods are actually translating in meaningful ways. And every day brings something unique and interesting because you’re working with people who are constantly growing and developing.