Program Highlights - Viterbo University

An occasional newsletter from the Viterbo University
Undergraduate Social Work Program
WINTER
SPECIAL POINTS
OF INTEREST:
2013-14
Highlights
2013
I S S UE
# 11
From the Director:
Program Highlights
Deb Daehn Zellmer, ACSW, CISW
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Fall has been a very busy semester for the Social Work Program, faculty and students. We are
preparing to send 26 seniors into field education, which is the largest group in the history of our
program! This year social work became a separate department within the School of Letters and
Sciences, previously being part of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice.
The Social Work Department now also coordinates the Gerontology Minor and developed a Family Studies Minor providing wonderful opportunities for Letters and Science students to extend
their learning in these two important areas.
Faculty Updates
2
Alumni Spotlight
3
Field Updates
3
Spotlight on
Students!
4-5
Chicago Trip
5
Social Work Club
5
 A competent and committed social work faculty with many years of experience in social work
practice and social work education.
Alumni Updates
5-6
 An active Social Work Club that provides service to the University and the community.
What’s new—
web info
6
 Competent graduates who fill regional needs for professionally trained social workers and who
experience success in graduate education.
To prepare for our October 2014 reaccreditation review by the Council on Social Work Education
the social work faculty just completed a Self-Study documenting our compliance with four accreditation standards including Program Mission and Goals, Explicit Curriculum, Implicit Curriculum
(educational environment) and Program Assessment. This Self-Study is a comprehensive overview
of our program discerning our accomplishments, successes, and strengths as well as provide opportunities for refinement of curriculum and policies based on program assessment results. The process of Self-Study has been very affirming for the faculty and students identifying the following program strengths:
 A strong commitment by Viterbo University, the School of Letters and Sciences, and the Social
Work Department to undergraduate social work education.
 Engaged alumni who provide program support in the form of shadow experiences, classroom
speakers, field instruction, advisory council membership and adjunct teaching.
 A well conceptualized competency based social work curriculum that builds upon the University’s core values and Franciscan heritage.
 Supportive individualized academic advising that guides students through the social work major
and addresses student’s strengths and areas for improvement.
 A strong Field Education Program with a diverse range of generalist practice experiences,
competent Agency Field Instructors and individualized field placement procedures.
 The implementation of a comprehensive and detailed assessment plan that directs decisions for curriculum and program improvement.
This newsletter highlights the activities of our faculty, students, social service agency affiliates and
alumni that demonstrates how these strengths are operationalized in our Social Work Program.
We hope you will enjoy reading about the many wonderful things that are happening in our
program!
Viterbo University Social Work Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Viterbo University Social Work Program is to prepare baccalaureate students for entry level generalist social work practice. In an
atmosphere of integrity and respect, students will develop professional knowledge, values, and skills for service provision and social change.
The program is guided by the Franciscan values of human dignity, social justice, strengths of diverse populations, and respect for disenfranchised
members of our global society.
PAGE
2
research at the Seven Rivers Undergraduate
Research Conference in November. Jennie received the D.B. Reinhart Center Ethics Fellowship for 2013-2014 to support continued reJennie returned from sabbatical
search on social work student learning to enlast spring and completed her
hance research and critical thinking skills. Jennie
Doctorate in Social Work. Her
dissertation research The Epistemo- collaborated with Deb and Connie on a manulogical Beliefs of Social Work Students script being published in the Journal of Social
was published and she will present Work Values and Ethics that addresses teaching
on this research at the annual Baccalaureate Program values and ethics to undergraduate students.
Jennie has been appointed as assessment coordiDirectors Conference in Spring 2014. Jennie was
recently appointed by Governor Walker to the Mar- nator for the program and serves on
the Institutional Review Board and
riage and Family Therapy, Professional Counselor,
Viterbo Board of Review. She mainand Social Work Examining Board. This board regutains a full time teaching appointment
lates social work practice in the state and reviews
ethics issues. Last summer Jennie mentored Hannah and has begun teaching research in the
Johnson with her research project on children’s ser- graduate Masters of Servant Leadership program.
vices in rural communities. Hannah presented her
Jennifer Anderson-Meger,
Associate Professor
Connie Fossen,
Associate Professor
Janet Holter,
Assistant Professor
A manuscript, “Infusing a new ethical
decision making model throughout a
BSW Program curriculum,” was
accepted by The Journal of Social
Work Values and Ethics and will be
published early in 2014. Connie
took the lead on this paper co-written with Jennie Anderson-Meger and Deb Daehn Zellmer. The article
describes the ETHICS-A decision making model taught
throughout our Social Work Program. In June 2013,
Connie traveled to Nicaragua as part of the Global
Partners Program at Gundersen Health Care. With
alumnae Irene TenEyck and Nicole Sundboom, the
social work team mapped community assets in Santa
Celia and La Corona in preparation for the move of 25
families to their new homes. Global Partners raised
$100,000 to fund home ownership for these severely
under resourced families.
Janet continues a full-time teaching appointment and serves as Social Work Club advisor. Last summer she mentored Sara
Severson’s research on “Social Worker’s
Perceptions of Compassion Fatigue.” Sara
presented her research at the Seven Rivers
Undergraduate Research Conference. Janet
serves on the Child Advocacy leadership team which is examining interdisciplinary opportunities at Viterbo related to child
maltreatment and child advocacy. In July, she helped develop
and presented at the Faith, Healing and Future Work Conference held at Viterbo. This multi-disciplinary conference examined ways to build bridges between the child maltreatment and
faith communities to prevent and respond to child maltreatment. Janet also conducted trainings for Catholic Charities on
case management and ethical decision making over the summer.
Janet is currently developing new a course on sustainability and
community development for the spring of 2014.
In spring 2013 Deb presented at the Annual Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors
meeting with faculty from two other social work
Deb has been instrumental in programs on “Supporting Students as the Move
through the Continuum of Social Work Educaleading the program through
tion”. Deb has been appointed as interim Assoaccreditation activities and
Self-Study in preparation for a ciate Dean for the Social Science Division for
spring 2014 Council on Social spring 2014. She continues to enjoy teaching
Work Education site visit and review for reaffir- social welfare policy courses in the social work
curriculum and her work on the Social Policy
mation next October. In addition to being the
primary author of the 117 page Self-Study docu- Committee for the Wisconsin Chapter of the
ment, Deb was a co-author with Connie Fossen National Association of Social Workers.
and Jennie Anderson-Meger on a manuscript
being published in the Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics “Infusing a new ethical decision
making model throughout a BSW curriculum”.
Deb Daehn Zellmer,
Professor
WINTER
2013
PAGE
Alumni Spotlight
Spotlight
Alumni
Codi Farmer ‘13
Viterbo gave me the confidence that I can get out
and apply for a jobs and
that I can
do it! I
think
others
should
chose
Viterbo
because
class sizes
are small and the professors get to know you oneon-one. If you need something your professors will
be there.
3
In summer of 2013 we caught up with a few Social Work Alumni for an update and thoughts on
(watch for video clips of interviews on SOWK webpage)
their experience at Viterbo.
Alyssa Umberger ‘13
Viterbo gave a lot of great
experiences working with a
variety of populations. The
practicum experience and
foundations courses taught
me to see that I am in the
right
field.
My family received a tremendous amount of assistance from social workers
in the school and community which inspired me to
become a social worker.
Keith Lease ‘12
I was a substance abuse
counselor before becoming
a social work student. Social work is absolutely the
greatest thing that has
happened to me. The valOne of my most memora- ues and different perspecble experiences while at
tive that social work gives,
Viterbo was the Chicago
fits with everything I beTrip and learning about
lieved and it assisted with
My field
diversity, culture and ethnic my work. It went hand-inpractifoods.
hand, a perfect fit. Social
cum
work provided me with a
helped
While attending school, I
wide ranges of experiences
me to
had a lot of family conincluding my field experifeel prepared to interview for jobs cerns, personal illness, and ence at Lugar de Reunion in
financial difficulties. The
Sparta, which included sumwhen I graduated. The
mer resocial work program chal- professors helped me exsearch in
I did my field education
lenges you and makes you plore options and reexperience at Pigeon Falls feel confident that you can sources through that diffi- Mexico.
cult time so I could perseHealth Care Center.
go on to graduate school.
vere and graduate.
I went
There I led groups doing
through
cognitive and depression
I am going to UW– MadiViterbo prepared me for
the UWassessments and a lot of
son part-time MSW proemployment with the em- Madison
one-on-one with families.
gram on the UW-Eau
phasis on how to communi- MSW
I really enjoyed the experi- Claire campus. My focus
ence! It taught me I was in will be on adolescent men- cate effectively with others. program
We did a lot of group pro- and graduated with a emthe right field. It was neat tal health and I hope to
jects which has helped me phasis in mental health
to know that I could make become a therapist in an
counseling.
a difference in their day.
adolescent treatment facili- work well with others.
ty.
In my current position as a I am really excited and very
In my MSW program at
Behavioral Counselor pub- grateful for my education at
the UW-Madison partShao
lic speaking plays a big role. Viterbo! Today, I am the
time program I plan to
My social work education
Executive Director and
work with at-risk children. Vue ‘06
In 1985
prepared me well with the counselor for the nonHopefully, one day I can
research, writing and tech- profit, out-patient subwork with military families my family
nology skills taught. I atstance clinic, Coulee Counor in the schools as a fami- settled
here as
tended UW-Madison and
cil on Addictions.
ly advocate or school sorefugees
graduated with my MSW in
cial worker.
from
2007.
Thailand.
Emily Aerts ‘13
I chose to study social
work because of the variety of fields it offers. I
knew I wanted to make a
difference. My parents are
both
teachers
so I
knew I
wanted
to work
with
people
and
possibly
kids.
Social work allows career
flexibility- such as starting
with child protection and
then moving to school
social work or non-profit
work. I like the variety
the profession offers.
I received the academic
foundation necessary for
graduate school. I applied
to two MSW programs
and was accepted at both.
I was awarded a full ride
scholarship for the U of
Michigan as the recipient
of the Jim Walberg
Dean’s scholarship which
is pretty impressive. It is
given to only one person
in the nation. However, I
declined and opted to put
graduate school off for a
year to work in the
AmeriCorps Program.
Thank you to our featured alumni, and to all of our graduates for
the work that you do everyday! Keep those updates coming!
Field Education Update
Connie Fossen, Field Director
The field education year began
in September with a continuing education session by our
own Dr. Jennifer AndersonMeger. “Students Beliefs about
Knowledge: Implications for
Field Education,” a presentation based on Jennie’s dissertation research, followed the
orientation for new agency
field instructors. Nearly 30
agency social workers met
with the upcoming class of 26
seniors in ‘speed’ interviews to
learn about potential field agency sites.
The largest class in the history
of our Social Work Program
precipitated a continued expansion of field education sites. We
added units, programs or new
instructors in existing Field
Agencies, including Lars House
of the Mayo Franciscan Health
System, Lutheran Social Services
Special Needs Adoption, Family
and Children Center Residential Youth Home, La Crosse
County Human Services Aging
Unit, Vernon Memorial Hospital’s new Hospice Center, the
YWCA CASA for Kids and
Truancy Prevention Program.
Newly certified field agencies
include Coulee Council on
Addictions and the Proven
Project at Western Technical
College. We welcome the
following alumni to our Pro-
gram as new Agency Field
Instructors: Scott Grosskopf,
Keith Lease, Emily Nolte,
Desiree Parker, Va Thao.
Thank you to social work
professionals, alumni and
human service
organizations
for their ongoing commitment to field
education.
PAGE
4
Spotlight on Students!
Three senior social work students completed internships last summer.
These internships were over and above the 450 hour social work Field Education experience they will complete in spring 2014. Internships provide
students with opportunities to network with social service agencies, learn
about community resources and agency policies and apply skills acquired
through the classroom to real life social work practice situations.
Alex Kent
Alex Kent interned with the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago. He
worked directly under the Associate Director of Policy for seven weeks to advance immigration reform legislation through Congress. He made hundreds of
phone calls to the offices of Congressmen to verify the contact information of
key staff within their offices who work on immigration issues. Alex also researched immigration detention facilities and the history of immigration, wrote
representative briefs for the center’s lobbyists and categorized data for immigration attorneys. Alex found his internship to be “a wonderful, eye-opening opportunity that
gave me a great learning experience and exposed me to interesting social networking related to
policy and immigration.” Alex believes an internship is a great way to explore an area of social
work that you are interested in to gain insight for career direction.
Sara Meyer
Sara Meyer interned 2-3 days a week with the St. Lawrence Community Services Department at the La Crosse office of Catholic Charities. In this role she
conducted intakes with clients facing financial struggles with rent, utilities, security deposits and other payments. She completed client assessments, scheduled
appointments, learned agency documentation procedures and made community
service referrals. Sara also helped deliver financial education and services such
as access to food pantries and clothing closets, bus tokens and tickets, vouchers
and gas cards. Through this internship she increased her knowledge regarding poverty, homelessness and community resources for the poor. “I learned the art of patience and listening. I
was able to practice the warmth, genuineness, and empathy skills taught in our interviewing
course, and experience enhanced my interviewing skills greatly!”
Tiffany Young
Tiffany Young interned with the La Crosse County Juvenile Justice Unit. Her
primary responsibility was to work with the CORE Academy, a court-ordered
treatment program for juveniles with significant legal charges. She met daily with
juveniles conducting intakes and monitoring compliance for ongoing cases. The
majority of her time was spent completing necessary paperwork and attending
court. Tiffany says an internship is “a great way to step outside of your comfort
zone and SHINE without the stress of being graded. I felt my opinions were truly
valued and that I was making a difference in the lives of individuals that much of
society has given up on.”
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Viterbo University has been actively promoting collaborative undergraduate research opportunities for several years. There is broad
support among administration and faculty to
encourage student research. Engaging in undergraduate research provides opportunities
to build critical thinking, organizational, inquiry, and communication skills. All are valuable skills for a professional job or future graduate study. Students receive a stipend for their
summer research work and can apply for part
time or full time opportunities. The summer
research program runs for seven weeks and
students attend weekly seminars with faculty
research mentors and other research
students.
Summer of 2013 there were
four social work students
who participated in faculty
mentored research projects.
Hannah Johnson worked with
Jennie Anderson-Meger on a
community based asset
assessment that explored
children’s services and developmental assets in rural
communities. Hannah discovered how rich her community is with resources and
where improvements can be
made. She was able to network extensively with agencies in the process.
Sara Severson
worked with
Janet Holter
and examined
compassion
fatigue due to
secondary trauma exposure in
social workers.
Her research helped others
understand how important it
is for agencies to address
compassion fatigue issues.
Kaitlyn Hamman is a double
major in social
work and religious studies
and worked
with Sr. Laura
Nettles in her
research. She
completed a qualitative research project that explored
the role of teaching social
work in a Franciscan Catholic institution. She interviewed the social work faculty and wants to expand her
research in the future to
identify how Franciscan values can further inform social
work practice.
Finally, Tess
Hostert
worked with
David Saunders
-Scott to explore the role
of “grit” in recovery from
substance
abuse. Tess
determined that grit (a form
of intrinsic motivation) is
correlated with
successful recovery.
WINTER
2013
PAGE
Chicago Trip
This years’
senior social work
trip was a
great success! We
travelled to
Chicago to
examine
urban social work, and experience first-hand the
different ethnic cultures and make-up of
Chicago. Students visited the Jane Addams-Hull House and several other
organizations including the Chinese
Community Center in Chinatown
where they were able to connect their
social work knowledge to the culture of
Chicago. The experiences on this trip
expanded the students’ view of the
scope of social work as well as the need
for cultural competency.
5
Club Officers: Pres. Jennie Clark, VP Emily Morrison, Secretary Brienne Shaker, Treasurer Jack Rice, PR Erin Larson
Social work club is busy as usual! This
year’s club has been designing and selling club shirts, and working on service
projects for the coming year. Club
members organized and participated in
a food donation ‘Trick or Treat’ just
before Halloween; donations went to
the Emerson Elementary food pantry.
The Social Work Club won this year’s
Honors Chili cook-off, thanks to junior
Denise Kidd’s wonderful chicken Chili,
with all proceeds going to The Place of
Grace.
For a second year, club is adopting a
family from Emerson Elementary for the
holidays. After gathering gift donations
2001
Melissa (Schneider) Christopherson received her MSW from U of Minnesota in May
2012. She is the lead social worker at Chippewa County Department of Human Services.
from several generous community members, a bake sale was held during the first
week of December to raise money for
gifts.
The club was able to provide all items on
the family’s list including clothes, toys,
fishing gear and bicycles for some well
deserving children! Plans for spring include the annual
chili sale and service projects with
The Place of
Grace.
Faculty Advisor,
Janet Holter
Danielle (Olson) Puccetti is working at
the Tomah Veterans Administrative Medical
Center and is working on her PhD for
Healthcare Administration at UW-Madison
with expected graduation date in 2015.
2007
Nancy (Trautwein) Krueger and Brandon
celebrated the birth of their fourth child, Lane
Scott on December 18, 2012. He joins three Claire Murphy Sleaper married Alex
sisters, Jillian, Raegan, and Ashlyn!
Sleaper on September 14, 2013. She is
working as a Rehabilitation Social Worker at
St. Mary’s Care Center. They reside in Lake
Mills, WI.
2004
Seven Rivers Symposium in November
Left to right: Hannah Johnson, Kaitlin Hamman, Tess
Hostert, Linda Landry, and Sara Severson.
“I came into the program with a narrow lens and the
program , through all the class I took allowed me to
see everything in a broader plane. The program
gave me the confidence I needed to search for other
opportunities for further growth as a person.”
Emily Aerts
Angel Lee is a part of Gundersen Health
Systems’ Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault
Program. She is attending University of New
England MSW Program and anticipates graduating in May 2014.
Ashley Myhre married Nick Farley December 7, 2013. She is currently busy implementing new branding and marketing for
Southview Acres Health Care Center. They
reside in Eagan, MN.
2005
2008
Melissa (Reich) Dahlo is working as a
Rehabilitation Social Worker at Good
Samaritan Society. She and husband, Rickard
reside in Waconia, MN.
Jessica Wallace-Bialecki and husband
Andy celebrated the birth of a son Drew
Richard on August 19, 2013.
2006
Lindsay (Weber) Weibel was married to
Cory Weibel September 15, 2012. She is
Social Services Director at Morrow Memorial
Home in Sparta, WI.
Sara Eckland received her MSW from
UW-Madison in May. She is working at RAVE
(Recovery Avenue), a mental health drop in
center in La Crosse as Program Coordinator, Jessica Andre is working at Trempealeau
County Health Care Center and started her
in addition to other duties at Independent
MSW in spring through UW-Madison.
Living Resources.
Jessica’s concentration is mental health.
2009
Cont. from p.5
Emily Nolte is a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Mayo Clinic Health
System-Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse.
Tiffany (Tubbs) Dolesy and spouse Alex
Dolesy welcomed the birth of twin boys Carson and Chase on August 23, 2013.
Jennifer (Danielson) Scaccio celebrated
her four year anniversary at New Horizons
Shelter and Outreach Centers by changing
positions. She is currently the Youth and Family Advocate and is developing curriculum for
educators to use when discussing healthy
relationships with youth.
Ashley (Wagner)
Trautsch and Brian celebrated the birth of a son
Braxton, into their family in
July. He joins big sister,
Breileigh.
2010
Brooke Murdock is working at the Tomah
Veterans Administration Medical Center and
plans to graduate from UW-Madison with her
MSW in December.
Breanna Schell graduated from the University of Michigan’s MSW program. She is
working as a Street Outreach Worker at St.
Stephen’s Human in Services in Minneapolis,
MN.
Tiffany Smith is currently a case manager at
Western Wisconsin Cares in La Crosse.
Samantha Young and Brandon Brye will
celebrate their wedding October 25, 2014.
She is at Medical Receptionist at Tri Valley
Medical. They reside in Pleasanton, CA.
Bethany (Zellmer) Meiners is working as
a School Social Worker at
Caledonia Public Schools.
2012
Heidi (Arbuckle) Ballwahn is working for
the Ho-Chunk Nation Social Services in Black
River Falls, WI.
Jaime (Sontag) Dayton and Tom celebrated the birth of a son, Tommy, born on June 1,
Nicole (Emberson) Johnson married Karl
2013.
Johnson August 31, 2013 at Riverside Park in
Susan (Carson) Haggard is working at
La Crosse. She is currently working as ProGundersen Lutheran as a Counseling Service gram Manager at Creative Community Living
Technician.
Services.
Kelly Jessen is engaged to Derek Zumbrunnen with the wedding date set for July 19,
2014. She is also working as a Care Coordinator at the highly ranked Bluestone Physician
Services.
Anastasia Jensen and Rob Murray celebrated their wedding August 31, 2013 in
Blaine MN.
Keith Lease is Executive Director at Coulee
Council on Addictions. He earned his MSSW
from UW-Madison May 2013.
Betsy (Jandt) Parr and Jeff celebrated the
birth of a son, Isaac on March 19, 2013. She is
the Director of Social Services at Pine View
Kristen Pavela is working on her MSW at
Aurora University and expects to graduate
Care Center in Black River Falls, WI.
in 2015.
2011
Vanessa (Weisbrod) Bablitch just graduated with her MSW and passed her exam. She
is co-facilitating ACT and DBT groups as a
Crime Victim Specialist/Social Worker working with crisis and mental health patients at
the Department of Behavioral Health at
Gundersen. In a second role, she works with
a grant funded program for victims of crime.
Sara (Schaller)
Carter and husband
Shawn welcomed
their first child into
the world in June.
She is working
at Western
Wisconsin Cares.
2013
Emily Aerts is in New Orleans working for
AmeriCorps at Langston Hughes Academy as
an interventionist for grades 1-4. She is teaching math and reading to 100 students and
running social groups.
Ali Behringer was recently hired as a Case
Manager at CouleeCap’s Transitional Housing
Program.
Sayde (Birkholz)
Holbach and Matthew Holbach celebrated their wedding October 19,
2013 in Beaver
Dam, WI. They
have moved to
Houston, TX for
Matt’s new position!
Tatiana (Bueno) Wolf is working as a
Social Worker at Mayo Clinic Health System
in La Crosse.
Codi Farmer currently works at Marinuka
Manor in Galesville, WI. She is working on
her Masters in Social Work and will graduate
in May 2015.
Megan (Lambert) Wilmot is working at
Oneida County Department of Social Services and was married in 2011 to Brent Wilmot in Manitowish Waters, WI.
Rosemary Loken is working at Gundersen
Health Tri-County in Whitehall, WI. She
stayed on after doing her internship and is
now employed full-time!
Kyra Lollis is working as an Economic Support Specialist at La Crosse County.
Megan Lewis is working at REM-The Mentor Network. She is working as direct professional support and resides in Kasson, MN.
Ashley (Odegard) Vogel and Riley Vogel
celebrated their wedding August 4, 2012. She
is currently working on her master’s degree
through the UW-Madison, expecting to graduate May 2015. She is currently a Help Team
Member at Scenic Bluffs Community Health
Centers.
Alyssa Umberger works for Richland
County as a Juvenile Justice Social worker and
is working on her Masters in Social Work and
will graduate in May 2015.
http://www.viterbo.edu/sowk
 Update Alumni Records — stay in touch!
Marriage, birth, address/phone changes,
employment, awards
 Field Agencies — linked
 Photo Gallery — watch throughout
the year for new photos
 Social Work—webpage
Viterbo University
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-796-3097
Fax: 608-796-3050
Email: [email protected]