Lori Melendrez-Allemand MSW, LCSW

BSW, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
MSW, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lori Allemand is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California.  She obtained her Bachelors of Social Work from California Polytechnic University of Pomona and her Master of Social Work from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Mrs. Allemand brings many years of practice experience in the areas of Mental Health, Child Welfare, Family Preservation, School Social Work and Quality Assurance.   She practiced professional Social Work at The Whole Child for fifteen years as the Director of Student Services, Director of Service Coordination and also Quality Assurance Manager.  She worked as a consultant to Plaza Community Services consulting on grant writing, program development, staffing and clinical training. Mrs. Allemand teaches “Working with Groups” at Whittier College in Whittier California.   She has always enjoyed working with students and helping them turn theory to practice.  Her research interests include childhood anxiety, group work and ADHD.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 510: Social Work Practice I 
• MSW 511: Social Work Practice II 
• MSW 540: Social Work Field Instruction I 
• MSW 541: Social Work Field Instruction II 
• M  S  W 542: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction I
• MSW 543: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction II
• MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations

Awards:

Faculty Recognition for Extraordinary and Sustained Service 2017 Award

Dr. Gabbie Aquino-Adriatico, Ph.D., MSW 

Caroline E. Bailey, PhD

BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Southern California
MA, Psychology, University of Southern California
PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Southern California
PhD, Child Development, University of Southern California

Dr. Bailey is Associate Professor of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton and is also an Assistant Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles in the department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  A graduate of the University of Southern California, Dr. Bailey completed graduate training in both developmental psychology and child clinical psychology in 2004. Her clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship were completed at UCLA’s prestigious Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital where she specialized in working with children and adolescents with neurobehavioral disorders.  As a post doctoral fellow with UCLA's Mental Retardation Research Center, Dr. Bailey conducted several studies investigating reading and language development in children with epilepsy and schizophrenia.  Dr. Bailey is the recipient of several honors and awards.  While at USC, she was awarded the Valentine Dissertation Fellowship, and is a Neurobehavioral Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society.  She is certified in the Slingerland method of reading instruction and is an active member of the International Dyslexia Association as well as the Association for Psychological Science. 

Gordon Capp, PhD, LCSW

BA, Language Arts, Seattle Pacific University
MSW, CSU, Long Beach
PhD, Social Work, University of Southern California 

Gordon Capp earned his Ph.D. in social work from the University of Southern California (USC), a MSW from CSULB and a BA in Language Arts/Elementary Education from Seattle Pacific University. His professional experiences prior to his doctoral education include teaching in K-12 schools, and subsequently working as a clinical social worker in child welfare and community mental health settings in Orange and Los Angeles counties. While working in community mental health he was extensively involved in the design and implementation of school-based mental health programs. Dr. Capp’s research focuses on schools as key influences in the social ecology of youth, and how to maximize school climate as a protective influence for students, families, and staff members. In particular, his work examines how school staff contribute to and experience school climate, along with the influence of climate on school safety and social emotional learning.

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COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 514: Advanced Community Mental Health Practice 
• MSW 574: Social Work Pracitce at the End of Life
• MSW 596: Masters Project Development
• MSW 597: Master’s Project 2

Research Interests:

• Influence of school climate on student and staff experiences in public schools
• Staff member influences on school climate
• Social-emotional learning
• School violence and school safety
• School-based mental health/Mental and behavioral health for youth and adolescents

Other Departmental, University, Professional and Community Activities: 

• Facilitator for Faculty Learning Community Book Clubs
• Pa’lante Mentor
• CSUF HHD Climate and Inclusion Task Force
• Social Work Department Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Current Projects:    

• Exploration of School Climate according to School Staff Members
• Staff Reports of Weapons in Schools

Hobbies:

•  Cycling, Music & Concerts, Travel

Dr. David Chenot

BA, English, University of Hawaii
MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary
MSW, California State University, Fresno
PhD, Social Welfare, Case Western Reserve University

David Chenot is a Professor in the Department of Social Work. He earned a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work at California State University, Fresno. David completed a Doctorate in Social Welfare at Case Western Reserve University (The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences). His past academic appointments have been at California State University, Bakersfield, where he served for seven years as both an instructor and the CalSWEC Project Coordinator in the MSW program. David is also an LCSW in the State of California and practiced professional social work in both public child welfare services and public mental health for many years. His research interests include: the retention of social workers in public child welfare services, resilience among vulnerable children and families, and spirituality, religion and social work.

Dr. David A. Cherin

BS, MSW, California State University at Long Beach
PhD, Social Work, University of Southern California

Prior to returning to work on his MSW and PhD, Doctor Cherin was an administrator and corporate vice president for over two decades with a large, multi-national health care management company.  Since entering the field of social work, Dr. Cherin has held faculty positions in the Schools of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach; California State University, Bakersfield;  the University of Southern California; and University of Washington.  He has done extensive research, evaluation work and publishing in the areas of health care service delivery and child welfare.  His work in health services focuses on service delivery systems in end-of-life care.  He has received the Soros Project Death in America’s Social Work Leadership Award.

Brittany H. Eghaneyan PhD, MSSW

BS, Cognitive Science and Psychology, University of Texas at Dallas
MSW, University of Texas at Arlington
PhD, Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington

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Dr. Eghaneyan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at California State University Fullerton. She has extensive experience working with interdisciplinary research teams and community partners in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. Prior to the completion of her doctorate degree and appointment at CSUF, Dr. Eghaneyan worked as a Project Coordinator on two federally funded research projects that implemented integrated health care and culturally and linguistically competent education interventions in primary care settings. Her research interests include integrated health care for mental health and substance use treatment, mental health treatment initiation and retention, mental health stigma, mental health disparities among Latinx populations, culturally competent care, trauma-informed primary care, implementation of evidence-based practice in healthcare settings, psychometrics Dr. Eghaneyan is currently the Curriculum Coordinator of the Integrated Behavioral Health Education and Leadership (BHEAL) program.

Courses Taught:

MSW 523: mental health policy and social work

MSW 596: Master’s project development

MSW 597: Master’s project

MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods

MSW 579: Advanced Social Work Practice in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare

Research Interests: 

Integrated health care for mental health and substance use treatment, mental health treatment initiation and retention, mental health stigma, mental health disparities among Latinx populations, culturally competent care, trauma-informed primary care, implementation of evidence-based practice in healthcare settings, psychometrics

Michelle Fernandes, MSW, LCSW

BA, Social Work, Whittier College
MSW, San Diege State Univeristy

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Michelle Fernandes is a Lecturer and Faculty Liaison in the Department of Social Work. She teaches courses in Social Work Practice and Field Instruction. Mrs. Fernandes earned her MSW from San Diego State University with a concentration in Mental Health and her BSW from Whittier College with an emphasis in Public Child Welfare. She is a California state licensed clinical social worker with 18 years of clinical experience serving children, youth and families in various non-profit mental health settings, with special focus on trauma. Mrs. Fernandes practiced for many years at a Los Angeles-based, non-profit agency providing outpatient mental health treatment to court mandated families and children who were victims of crime. There she was the lead clinician for Family Preservation cases, as well as a Student Field Instructor. Later she served as a special consultant to a Los Angeles-based domestic violence shelter. There she developed and managed a mental health program for women and children. She also provided mental health services as well as clinical supervision/ training to staff and student interns. This experience lead Mrs. Fernandes to California State University, Fullerton helping to develop and implement the community-based programs at the newly established CSUF, Center for Healthy Neighborhoods. There she served as Director of Program and Services and Student Field Instructor before she became a full-time lecturer for the Department.  Her previous teaching experience included work as an adjunct faculty at Whittier College.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 510: Social Work Practice I
• MSW 511: Social Work Practice II
• MSW 540: Social Work Field Instruction I
• MSW 541: Social Work Field Instruction II
• MSW 542: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction I
• MSW 543: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction II

Marlene Flores-Avila, MSW, LCSW

BA, Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
M.S.W., CSU Los Angeles
BA, Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
MSW, California State University, Los Angeles

Marlene Flores-Avila is a full-time lecture in the Department of Social Work.  She teaches courses in Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Work Practice, and Field Instruction.  Prof. Flores-Avila received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her MSW from the California State University Los Angeles.  Prof. Flores-Avila is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in serving children, youth, and families throughout Los Angeles County and more recently, Orange County. Her expertise has been in working with the LatinX population and providing services at all levels of social work.  Her experience has been gained from working for and with non-profit organizations in the Los Angeles Area, and more extensively with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and Kaiser Permanente.  Her area of interest is in merging her social work expertise with lactation education, community advocacy and empowerment and with the integration of mindfulness into social work practice.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 501:       Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• MSW 510: Social Work Practice I 
• MSW 511: Social Work Practice II 
• MSW 540: Social Work Field Instruction I 
• MSW 541: Social Work Field Instruction II 
• M  S  W 542: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction I
• MSW 543: Advanced Social Work Field Instruction II

Sean R. Hogan, PhD, MSW

BA, MSW and PhD in Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley

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Dr. Sean R Hogan is a tenured professor in the Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Hogan received his doctoral training at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Hogan’s research areas include welfare reform, social welfare policy analysis, program evaluation, and the effects of eliminating welfare benefits to low-income substance abusers.  He has research experience analyzing and evaluating longitudinal data related to federal welfare policy initiatives. Dr. Hogan has academic interests in the social construction of social welfare problems and policies, as well as the effects of social capital on marginalized and disadvantaged populations. He has published on the history and construction of substance abuse policy in the United States and its relationship to social inequality. Currently, Dr. Hogan is principal investigator on a longitudinal research project examining the relationship between social capital and social welfare outcomes for former and current foster youth in higher education.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 520: Social Welfare Policy and Services
• MSW 521: Social Welfare Policy and Services II
• MSW 523: Mental Health Policy and Social Work
• MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods I
• MSW 596: Master’s Project Development
• MSW 597: Master’s Project
• MSW 570: Social Work Practice in Substance Abuse Treatment 

Research Interests:

• Social welfare policy analysis
• Program evaluation
• Substance abuse
• Foster youth in higher education

Current Projects:

Principal investigator on a longitudinal study examining the health and wellbeing of former and current foster youth in higher education.

Juye Ji, PhD

BA, Early Childhood Education, Ewha Womans University, Seoul,    Korea
MSW, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
PhD, Social Work, University of Southern California 

Dr. Juye Ji is an Associate Professor of Social Work at California State University at Fullerton. Dr. Ji completed Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Southern California in 2009 and joined the Department of Social Work in 2012 following two years as Assistant Professor at Syracuse University. Dr. Ji is a developmentally-oriented quantitative researcher with expertise in longitudinal design, advanced statistics, and psychometrics. Her research is guided by a biopsychosocial model of child development and based on interdisciplinary collaboration. Her research focuses on the impact of childhood trauma on physical and mental health across the lifespan. Currently, Dr. Ji serves as a co-investigator on a National Institute of Health (NIH) funded research study titled “Linking DNA methylation with child maltreatment and mental health across adolescence” in collaboration with Kaiser Foundation Research Institute and the University of Southern California.

Courses Taught:

• MSW501 Social Work Perspective on Human Behavior I
• MSW502 Social Work Perspective on Human Behavior II
• MSW530 Applied Social Work Research Methods I
• MSW 573 Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
• MSW596 Master’s Project Development I
• MSW597 Master’s Project Development II

Research Interests:

• Child Maltreatment, Childhood Trauma and Resilience, Psychobiology of Trauma
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Longitudinal Design and Advanced Statistics
• Measurement and Psychometrics

Publications:

Eum, S.,  Ji, J., & Mearns, J. (2019). The Effects of Acculturative Stress, Intergenerational Conflict, and Negative
                    Mood Regulation Expectancies on the Mental Health of Korean Immigrants.  Asian Journal of Family
                             Therapy,  3, 1-27.

Schneiderman, J.,  Ji, J., Susman, E. J., & Negriff, S. (2018). Longitudinal relationship between mental health
                  symptoms and sleep disturbances and duration in maltreated and comparison adolescents.  Journal of
                           Adolescent Health, 63, 74-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.01.011

Ji, J., Negriff, S., Kim, H., & Susman, E. J. (2016) Cortisol reactivity and recovery among young adolescents:
                 Heterogeneity and longitudinal stability and change.  Developmental Psychobiology, 58, 283-302. doi:
                 10.1002/dev.21369. PMID: 26517401.

Bearer, E. L.,  Ji, J., Trickett, P. K., Kaplan, C. D., & Mennen, F. (2015). Toward a role for clinical pathology
                   diagnostics for childhood maltreatment. Austin Journal of Clinical Pathology, 2(2), 1028. PMCID:
                   PMC466774

Seung, H.,  Ji, J., Kim, S., Sung, I., Youn. A., Hong. G., Lee, H., Lee, Y. H., Lee., H., & Youm, H. K. (2015).
                  Examination of the Korean Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers: Item Response Theory. Journal of       
                  Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 2744-2757. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2439.

Kim, H., Chenot, D., &  Ji, J. (2011) Racial ethnic disparity in child welfare systems: An exploratory study utilizing
                 the Disparity Index (DI). Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 1234-1244.  
                 doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.02.021

Trickett, P. K., Negriff, S.,  Ji, J., & Peckins, M.  (2011) Child maltreatment and adolescent development: A special
                 issue, decade in review.  Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, 3-20. doi:
                10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00711.x

Negriff, S.,  Ji, J., & Trickett, P. K. (2011). Exposure to peer delinquency as a mediator between self-report pubertal
                 timing and delinquency: A longitudinal study of mediation. Development and Psychopathology, 23,
                294-304. doi:10.1017/S0954579410000805

Kim, H.,  Ji, J., & Kao, D. (2011). Burnout and physical health among social workers: A three-year longitudinal
                     study. Social Work, 56, 258-268.

Ji, J., Brooks, D., Barth, R. P., & Kim, H. (2010). Beyond preadoptive risk: The impact of adoptive family
               environment on adopted youth's psychosocial adjustment. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 80,
              432-442. doi : 10.1111/j.1939-0025.2010.01046.x

Noll, J. G., Shenk, C. E., Yeh, M. E.,  Ji, J., Trickett, P. K., & Putnam, F. W. (2010).  Receptive language and
             educational attainment for sexually abused females. Pediatrics, 126(3), 625-622 doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-0496

Ji, J., & Trickett, P. K., & Negriff, S. (2010). Multidimensional self-perception of sexually abused girls: Factor
             models and differences between sexually abused and comparison groups. Journal of Psychopathology and
            Behavioral Assessment, 32, 203-214. doi: 10.1007/s10862-009-9137-1

Kim, H., &  Ji, J.  (2009). Factorial validity and longitudinal invariance of Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS)
            for social work research. Research on Social Work Practice, 19, 325-339. doi: 10.1177/1049731508318550

Departmentental, University, Professional and Community Activities

Co-Investigator  (2020-2025)                    

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) R01 Grant, “Linking DNA methylation with child maltreatment and mental health across adolescence”

Senior Faculty Mentor

“Mentor Connext” Faculty Development Center Mentoring Program for Pre-Tenured Faculty, California State University, Fullerton, CA

Consultant

HHD Statistical Analysis and Research Design Consultation Program
College of Health Human Development
California State University, Fullerton, CA

Mikyong Kim-Goh, PhD

BA, Psychology, Pomona College
MSW and PhD in Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley

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Dr. Mikyong Kim-Goh is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton.  Dr. Kim-Goh earned her Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley.  Her research areas include mental health disparities in ethnic minority communities, cultural competency in social work practice, interpersonal violence, international social work, and immigrant and refugee issues, and her papers have been published in prestigious journals such as the       American Journal of Orthopsychiatry       and the       Community Mental Health       Journal.  Dr. Kim-Goh has taught a wide range of courses including Social Work Practice in Diverse Communities, Research Methods, Advanced Mental Health Practice, and International Social Work.  A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Dr. Kim-Goh has been actively involved in the communities through her clinical and research partnerships with community-based agencies and by serving on the Orange County Mental Health Board.  She was a recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Award from the College of Health and Human Development at Cal State Fullerton.  In 2009, Dr. Kim-Goh spent 4 months in Korea as a Korea Foundation Field Research Fellow conducting research on the mental health of multiethnic families.  From 2011-2012, Dr. Kim-Goh served as Acting Associate Vice President for International Programs at CSUF.   

Courses Taught:

MSW 514: Advanced Community Mental Health Practice

MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods

MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations

MSW 575: International Social Work

Research Interests

• Mental health disparities in ethnic minority communities
• Cultural competency in social work practice
• Interpersonal violence
• International social work
• Immigrant and refugee issues

Grant-Funded Projects:

Lee, K. & Kim-Goh, M. (2017-2022).  “A Culturally Competent Model for Integrated Care.”  California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP) Phase 2 Asian Pacific Islander Implementation Pilot project. Co-Evaluators. (PI: KCS Health Center).  Funded by the California Department of Public Health. $200,000.

Kwon, M. J. & Kim-Goh, M. (2018-2019).  “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Telework Policy in Social Services Agencies.”  Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (RSCA), CSUF.  $15,000.

Quaye, B., Kim-Goh, M., Lee, K., & Metoyer, C. (2016-2019). “Orange County Community Health SBIRT Program.”  Co-Principal Investigator (PI: Beverly Quaye).  Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  1H79TI026438-0. $769,556.

Choi, H., Yoon, M.S., & Kim-Goh, M. (2012-2014). The Development of Cultural Competency

Model to Promote Mental Health among Multicultural Families: Building Partnerships with Asian Mental Health Professionals. National Research Foundation of Korea. $162,500

Karen Kyeunghae Lee, PhD, LCSW, MSPH

BA, Social Work, Ewha Womans University, Seoul,  Korea
MSW, Portland State Univerity
MS , Public Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagin
PhD, Social Work, University of Southern California

Dr. Karen Kyeunghae Lee is Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Lee teaches courses in social work practice with diverse populations, human behavior and mater’s project. Her current research interests are focused on integrated behavioral healthcare, mental health disparities, improving access and quality of care for people with serious mental illness through collaboration with community-based agencies, and mental health issues of Asians and Asian Americans. She is a Co-Evaluator of two government grants, which are the SBIRT Training Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, and the California Reducing Disparities Project from the California Department of Public Health Office of Health Equity. Dr. Lee is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California and practiced professional social work in public mental health for several years.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 502: Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior
• MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods
• MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations
• MSW 596: Master’s Project Development
• MSW 597: Master’s Project

Research Interests:

• Integrated care
• Mental health disparities in ethnic minority communities
• Community integration of people with severe mental illness

Current Projects:

Principal Investigator, 2017- 2022: “A Culturally Competent Model for Integrated Care”. California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP) Phase 2 Asian Pacific Islander Implementation Pilot project. (Co-Principal Investigator: Mikyong Kim-Goh). Korean Community Services/ California Department of Public Health. $200,000.

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-Evaluation Specialist), 2016-2019: “Orange County Community Health SBIRT Program” (Principal Investigator: Beverly Quaye; Co-evaluation Specialist: Mikyong Kim-Goh; Outreach Coordinator: Carol Metoyer). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1H79TI026438-0. $769,556.

Erica Lizano, PhD

BA, Sociology,    California State University at, Fullerton
MSW/MPA, Social Work/Public Administration
PhD, Social Work, University of Southern California 

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Dr. Erica Lizano, MSW, MPA, Ph.D. completed her graduate level work at the University of Southern California and is an alumna of Cal State Fullerton where she completed her undergraduate studies in Sociology with a minor in Human Services. Dr. Lizano’s research focuses on workforce management within the human services sector with an emphasis on worker well-being (e.g. job burnout, engagement, job stress).

Courses Taught:

MSW 522: Child Welfare Policy and Social Work

MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations

MSW 596: Master's Project Development

MSW 597: Master's Project

Research Interests:

Dr. Lizano’s research interests include workforce management, administration, and performance in child welfare and human service organizations; Diversity and inclusion practices in organizations; Policy and program evaluation; Organizational implementation of evidence-based and culturally and linguistically sensitive/appropriate practices.

Michelle Martin, PhD, MSW

BA, Psychology, San Diego State University
MSW, University of Illinois at Chicago
PhD, Peace Studies, University of Bradford

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I’m an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), having joined the department in 2016. I have practiced in the fields of human services and social work for decades, working in a range of practice settings, such as child welfare, victim advocacy, school social work, hospice, substance abuse treatment and private practice, and transitioned into global policy work over a decade ago. Since then I’ve engaged in macro policy practice in Central Africa, including Rwanda and Kenya. My current research interests include women and aging (using a human rights framework), with a particular focus on the enduring impact of patriarchy and the male-breadwinner social welfare model on women’s physical and mental wellbeing. I’ve also researched displaced populations, including the relationship between trauma and identity among migrants and refugees, with a particular focus on the impact of protracted ethnic conflict, forced migration and crimes against humanity on survivors of civil war and diaspora. I’ve written three textbooks in social work, human services and global advocacy policy practice, as well as chapters on the recent migrant family separations, indigenous rights (land loss), and have written several journal articles on diaspora identity expression, trauma and peace building. Additionally, I’ve just completed a self-help non-fiction book on women and aging. When I’m not teaching or “chairing” I’m nurturing my fruit trees and vegetable garden in Silverado Canyon, painting (canvases, not walls) and spending time with a son Xander, and my senior “purse dog,” Abby.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• MSW 520: Social Welfare Policy and Services I

• MSW 521: Social Welfare Policy and Services II

• MSW 523: Mental Health Policy and Social Work

• MSW 530: Applied Social Work Research Methods I 

• MSW 550: Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations

• MSW 564: Macro Social Work in Communities and Organizations

• MSW 596: Master’s Project Development I (Thesis)

• MSW 597: Master’s Project Development II (Thesis)

Research Interests:

• Women and wellbeing (the male-breadwinner model and the feminization of poverty, patriarchy, American Suffragists)

• Immigration and Refugees (forced migration, trauma and identity)

Marcella Mendez, MSW, LCSW

BA, Sociology, California State University, Northridge  
MSW, University of Southern California

Marcella Mendez is Student Field Coordinator and a lecturer in the Social Work department. She began teaching Field Instruction part-time in 2009. In 2011, she became a full-time lecturer. Ms. Mendez teaches courses in Social Work Practice and Field Instruction. Ms. Mendez earned her BA from Cal State Northridge in Sociology, with emphasis in Counseling and Interviewing, and her MSW from USC with concentration in Families and Children and sub-concentration in School Setting Pupil Personnel Services. Ms. Mendez is a California state-licensed clinical social worker and has worked 20 years at several non-profit agencies within the Los Angeles area. Ms. Mendez has experience working with pregnant teens and teen mothers, children and adults with developmental disabilities and as a director of client care providing out-patient mental health services to children and families.

Debra D. Saxton, LCSW, PPSC

BA, Sociology, California State University, Fullerton
MSW, University of Southern California

Debra Saxton began her full-time position with the Department of Social Work at Cal State Fullerton in 2008. She is a licensed clinical social worker, with an MSW from USC and a BA in Sociology from Cal State Fullerton. She also holds a PPS Credential for School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance. Her previous teaching experience includes work as an adjunct faculty at Cal State Fullerton, in Human Services, and at Whittier College, in both Social Work and Child Development. In addition to her teaching experience, Ms. Saxton has over 20 years of clinical experience working in a variety of community settings including school based social work, outpatient and inpatient mental health services with adults and children, family/couples therapy in private practice, foster care and adoption services. Her practice and research interests are in the areas attachment theory, the effects of trauma on development, as well as the impact of early socialization on resiliency in later life. Ms. Saxton teaches a variety of courses in the MSW program. She also serves as the Social Work Department’s Community Field Director.

Kelly Segovia, MSW, LCSW

BA,    Psychology,    California State University at Long Beach
MSW, California State University at Long Beach

Kelly Segovia is the Admissions Coordinator and a lecturer in the Department of Social Work. Mrs. Segovia is a licensed clinical social worker and earned her MSW from Long Beach State University with a concentration in Children, Youth and Families. Mrs. Segovia earned her bachelor's degree from Long Beach State University in Psychology. Mrs. Segovia has over 20 years of clinical experience working in a variety of community settings including; outpatient mental health with adults and children, school based social work, and foster care. She has worked as a Clinician, Supervisor, and Program Director. In her various roles she has had the opportunity to provide clinical training, participated in program development, and has taught child abuse prevention classes. Prior to coming to Fullerton Mrs. Segovia was the CalWORKs and GROW Program Director and Supervisor at a nonprofit agency providing outpatient mental health services to Adults and their families.

Duan Tran, MSW

BS, Behavioral Health Science, Univerity of Utah
MSW, Loyola    Univeristy of Chicago

Duan Tran received his MSW from Loyola University Chicago, Illinois and began his teaching career in 2013 at California State University in the Master of Social Work program. He teaches Social Work Field Instruction and the Practice classes and also serves as the Academic and Graduate Advisor. 

Prior to teaching, Duan was an administrator for various social service agencies in four states for over 20 years.  Most recently, Duan was the program director of Community Service Program, overseeing the Victim Advocate Programs.  Prior to this, he was the program supervisor at the Mental Health Association of Orange County working with the homeless population.  Duan also worked at various residential substance abuse programs including being a supervisor at Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah.  His passion and commitment to behavioral health has earned him recognition and he is currently on the Orange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board as the four-district supervisor appointee since 2020.  He is also the Board chair for the Extraordinary Lives Foundation.

Dr. Eun-Hye Grace Yi, Ph.D., MSW 

BSW, MSW, Social Work, Soongil University, Seoul, Korea
Ph.D., Social Work, Indiana University

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Dr. Yi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at California State University Fullerton. As a scholar in gerontological social work, her primary focus revolves around aging issues concerning the health and well-being of ethnic minority older adults, with a particular emphasis on Asian Americans. Her ongoing research delves into the realms of dementia care, end-of-life, elder abuse, and unjust treatment within the context of family and neighborhood, employing a community-engaged research approach. Dr. Yi's contributions to the field have garnered her national recognition. She has been honored with prestigious awards such as the NASW/CSWE HEALS fellowship, the outstanding dissertation award from the Korean American Social Work Educators Association at CSWE, a research award from the American Society of Aging, and the esteemed TJ McCallum Memorial Award from the Gerontological Society of America, all of which were bestowed upon her during her doctoral program. Dr. Yi holds a Ph.D. from the Indiana University School of Social Work, where she also pursued a minor in economics.

Courses Taught:

MSW 516 Aging: A Multigenerational Perspective-Advanced Social Work Practice    

MSW 524 Aging: A Multigenerational Perspective-Policy and Social Work

Research Interests:

Alzheimer’s disease and mental/cognitive issues, Caregiving, Elder justice, End-of-life care, Asian American older adults, Care workforce, Complementary and alternative medicine, Community-engaged intervention research, Big data analysis, and Gerontological social work education.