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Study Abroad Kenya

This study abroad experience will have an emphasis on experiential learning. Students will learn through engaging in activities while abroad while spending time in Kenya, specifically during the time students spend at local schools in Busia. The course will focus on topics such as health, role of culture in education and economic development of Kenya and the impact of sociocultural, economic, technological, and environmental sustainability. The goal of this study abroad experience is to facilitate student engagement, participation in life skills, work-life exposure and enhances career readiness.

Experiential Learning Committee Members

Karla Arenas-Itotia, MA, MSSW, LMSW

Associate Professor of Practice

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

IPVE Taskforce Chair

Karla Arenas-Itotia

Research Interests: Social Work Education, online, interprofessional and experiential learning, school social work, student success and support services, education access, community outreach, interpersonal violence, trauma, mental health, social work direct practice, and issues of gender, family, race, and ethnicity.

Saltanat Childress, PhD, MSW

Assistant Professor

Dr. Saltanat Childress

Research Interests: Family wellbeing, child wellbeing, parenting, prevention of family violence in global settings; economic empowerment; immigrant and refugee populations

Sophia Fantus, PhD

Assistant Professor

Research Interests: Reproductive ethics, specializing in LGBTQ advocacy and inclusivity, moral distress, and clinical social work ethics.

Catherine LaBrenz, PhD, LMSW

Associate Professor with Tenure

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

Catherine LaBrenz

Research Interests: Child Welfare; Reunification; Permanence; Family Engagement

Diane Mitschke, PhD, MSW

Professor

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

Diane Mitschke

Research Interests: Health and Mental Health of Vulnerable Populations; Refugee and Immigrant Health and wellness

Tracy Orwig, MSSW, LCSW, FNAP

Director of Interprofessional Education

Associate Professor of Practice

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

Tracy Orwig

Research Interests: Health Interventions, Health Disparities, Health Literacy and the Impact of Interprofessional Education on Health Students

Christian Vazquez, PhD, MSW

Assistant Professor

Christian Vazquez

Research Interests:: Health Disparities, Latino Populations, Cardiovascular Health, eHealth, Obesity, Socioeconomic Status

Rachel Voth Schrag, PhD, LCSW

PhD Program Director and Associate Professor

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

IPVE Taskforce Development Subcommittee Chair

Rachel Voth Schrag

Research Interests: Violence Against Women, Trauma and Mental Health, Convergence of Poverty and Interpersonal Trauma, Violence Against Women in Diverse Educational Settings; Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Intervention

Micki Washburn, PhD, LMSW, MA, LPC-S

Associate Professor with Tenure

Personal Pronouns: She/Her

Micki Washburn

Research Interests: Health disparities related to mental health and substance misuse in historically underserved communities, applications of technology in behavioral health assessment and treatment, mindfulness based clinical interventions for women with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, social policy related to SOGIE for child welfare involved youth and families.