Doctor of Social Work Dissertations

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Faith E King, LSW 

Exploring Color-Blind Racial Attitudes and Critical Race Theory Informed Beliefs among School Social Workers  

Monday, May 4, 2026, 12 noon-2 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Juliana Svistova

Committee Members: Dr. Yasoda Sharma and Dr. Hanif Bey

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Shakeera Wynne, LCSW 

Link, Retain, Suppress: A Grounded Theory Study of Medical Case Management in the Philadelphia HIV Service Agencies 

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Christopher Harris

Committee Members: Dr. Yasoda Sharma and Nafisah Houston, MBA, MS

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Stevie Nicole Kioske, LCSW 

Pennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Workers’ Experiences with Medicare Insurance Plans 

Monday, April 27, 2026, 12 noon-2 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Yasoda Sharma

Committee Members: Dr. Christopher Harris and Dr. Leslie Chaundy

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Haylee M. Kirschner, MSW, LCSW 

The Impact of Spatial Disparities on Transportation to Dialysis: A Quantitative and GIS Analysis 

Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Stephen W. Stoeffler 

Committee Members: Dr. Moira Conway and Dr. FangHsun Wei

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Samantha Perales

Academic Persistence and Rural Social Work Students: an analysis of factors impacting decisions to persist

Friday, August 15, 2025, 10 a.m.-12 noon
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Janice Gasker

Committee Members: Dr. John Vafeas and Dr. Mauricia John

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Sean Erreger

A Qualitative Exploration of Paraprofesionals' Use of Mobile Technology to Coordinate Behavioral Support

Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 10 a.m.-12 noon
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Yoon Mi Kim

Committee Members: Dr. Juliana Svistova and Dr. Christopher Harris 

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Alice C. Fischer, MSS, LCSW

Engagement in Generalist Social Work Practice: Exploring Conceptual Theory and Textbook Pedagogy

Friday, May 2, 2025, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Edward Hanna

Committee Members: Dr. Steve Lem and Dr. Diana Ebersole

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Alycha Lee Boehm-McKinney, LCSW

Intersection of Shame and Trauma in Survivors of Child Sex Trafficking

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 12 noon-2 p.m.
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Yasoda Sharma

Committee Members: Dr. Kathleen Stanfa and Dr. Heather Evans

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Tessa Palmer

A Qualitative Exploration of the Incorporation of Nature into Multilevel Social Work Practice

Friday, April 18, 2025, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Juliana Svistova

Committee Members: Dr. Janice Gasker and Dr. Amy Stein

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Janine M. Speiser

"Guided by a Global Perspective": The Global Teaching Practices of Social Work Faculty

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 10 a.m.-12 noon
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Juliana Svistova

Committee Members: Dr. Yoon Mi Kim and Dr. Barth Yeboah

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Brent A. Basile

A Phenomenological Study of Licensed Social Workers’ Conceptualization of Shame in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Edward Hanna

Committee Members: Dr. Yasoda Sharma and Dr. Juliana Svistova

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Jennifer L. Hoffa, LSW, MAEd

"Anything and Everything:" An Analysis of Role Ambiguity in Pennsylvania School Social Work

Thursday, April 3, 2025, 10 a.m.-12 noon
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Stephen W. Stoeffler

Committee Members: Dr. Yoon Mi Kim and Dr. Lydia DeBiase

Oral Dissertation Presentation by Kyle McGee

Burnout Among Social Workers in Integrated Care

Thursday March 6, 2025, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work

Committee Chair: Dr. Barth Yeboah

Committee Members: Dr. Yasoda Sharma and Dr. Stephen W. Stoeffler