Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
Term ends: October 9, 2028
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
I am a Professor of Social Work at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where I teach, serve as Program Director, contribute to curriculum development, and mentor future social workers. I hold a BSW, MSW, DSW, and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. I am licensed as a social worker in three states and certified as a school social worker in two states. Before entering higher education, I spent many years working as a clinical therapist, school social worker, and forensic social worker, serving children, adults, and families while collaborating with schools, courts, behavioral health providers, and community organizations. I have presented at state and national conferences and published research on social work documentation, substance use disorders, mental health, professional regulation, and disaster preparedness. I have also contributed to national social work education initiatives and led collaborative projects involving students, professionals, and community partners. I have served on many other Boards. Across these roles, I have developed the organization, careful communication, collaborative leadership, and attention to detail needed to serve effectively as ASWB Secretary.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
My involvement with ASWB spans more than a decade and reflects a commitment to social work regulation. I began in 2015 as a member of the Standard Setting Task Force. I later served on the ASWB Standard-Setting Review Panel and the ASWB-CSWE Licensing and Regulation Curricular Guide National Task Force. I have served as an item writer for the ASWB Master’s examination and was one of six people nationally selected as a Path to Licensure Scholar. In that role, I implemented the program at Mansfield University and collaborated on published research related to licensure and regulation. I also co-presented “Right-Touch Regulation: Decisions Based on Data” at the 2022 ASWB Annual Education Meeting. I have been a member of Friends of ASWB since its inception, and in 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro appointed me to the Pennsylvania State Board. My background in direct practice, higher education, research, and program leadership strengthens my regulatory perspective. As a longtime ASWB volunteer, I understand the organization from the perspectives of an educator, practitioner, researcher, item writer, and regulator, and I am prepared to bring that broad perspective to the Board of Directors.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
One of the most significant issues facing ASWB is maintaining trust while ensuring that social work regulation continues to protect the public in ways that are fair, transparent, and responsive to an evolving profession. This includes addressing concerns about equity in examination outcomes and access to licensure. It requires ASWB to listen carefully to member boards and the broader social work community, openly examine evidence and concerns, and communicate not only what decisions are made, but how and why they are made. As Secretary, I would support this work by ensuring that Board discussions, decisions, and action items are documented accurately and communicated clearly. I would bring careful preparation, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through while helping preserve institutional knowledge and accountability. I would also encourage respectful dialogue in which differing perspectives can be heard and thoughtfully considered. My goal would be to help the Board move difficult conversations toward informed action while keeping public protection, fairness, equity, and the integrity of social work regulation at the center of its work.