Doctor of Social Work Dissertations

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