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School of Social Work Leadership

Caroline Macke

Caroline Macke

PhD, MSW

School of Social Work Director

Professor

MEP 222D

859-572-6661

mackec1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: MSW & PhD in Social Work from the University of Kentucky

Credentials: PhD, MSW

Teaching Interests: Human Behavior Theory, Applied Research, Ethics

¸é±ð²õ±ð²¹°ù³¦³óÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Campus climate, diversity/inclusion, pedagogy, food insecurity among college students, educational opportunities among justice-involved individuals, partner violence & sexual assault intervention/prevention

±Ê°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Community organization and program/policy-development related to the above topics

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2008

Fun Fact! I have 4 awesome kids and an amazing husband. My husband & I love to be outdoors and recently summitted Mount St. Helens. It was an AMAZING experience.Ìý

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

BSW Leadership

Jessica Taylor

Jessica Averitt Taylor

PhD, MSW

BSW Program Director

Professor

MEP 237

859-572-6511

taylorj28@nku.edu

profile

Education: PhD from the University of Alabama

Credentials: PhD, MSW

Teaching Interests: Research, social welfare policy, community organization, professional social work communication skills, BSW and MSW field experiences, social work and the community

¸é±ð²õ±ð²¹°ù³¦³óÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Food insecurity; poverty and social determinants of health; social supports; access and inclusion in higher education; pedagogy; leadership and mentorship

±Ê°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Community organization and macro social work; reproductive health and social determinants of health; poverty and food insecurity; access and inclusion in higher education; leadership and mentorship

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2012

Fun Fact! I am a major bookworm, and love to read across genres including social and cultural histories, public health, and fantasy (both high-fantasy and pure candy).

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers (for more information, please visit the )

Tara McLendon

Tara McLendon

PhD, MSW

BSW Field Director

Professor

MEP 222C

859-572-1920

mclendont1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW, MSW, & PhD from the University of Kansas

Credentials: PhD, MSW

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: I love teaching Field! It is a privilege to share a bit in this part of students' journeys. I am also currently involved in developing and maintaining police social work programs in Kentucky and across the country. This includes researching and developing best practices in this field.

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2010

Fun Fact! I hiked rim-to-rim of the Grand Canyon in July 1999. It was 123 degrees at the bottom of the Canyon - UGH!

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

MSW Leadership

Katherina Terhune

Katherina Terhune

PhD, MSW, LCSW

MSW Program Director

Associate Professor

MEP 233

859-572-6007

terhunek1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: MSW & PhD in Gerontology from the University of Kentucky 

Credentials: PhD, LCSW, MSW

Teaching Interests: Mental health diagnosis, mental health and aging, ageism, group theory and practice, human behavior and the social environment, clinical decision-making

Research Interests: Mental health impacts of dementia caregiving, age-inclusivity in higher education, gerontological literacy

Practice Interests: I still practice as a mental health therapist specializing in adult mental health, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, bipolar disorder, and issues relating to aging and caregiving

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2016

Fun Fact! I am the mother of 7 children and two cats! 

Preferred Pronouns: ²õ³ó±ð/³ó±ð°ù/³ó±ð°ù²õÌý

Kelly Fallon

Kelly Fallon

Ed.D, MSW, LISW-S, LCSW

MSW Field Director

MEP 231

859-572-6391

fallonk2@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: MSW from the University of Cincinnati

Credentials: Ed.D, MSW, LISW-S, LCSW

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: Social Work Education, Social Work Practice

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2020

Fun Fact! I ran my first Ultra Marathon in 2021.

Faculty

Nycole Brundidge

Nycole Brundidge

MSW

Clinical Assistant Professor

CW PREP Site Coordinator

MEP 241

859-572-7504

brundidgen@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW 2005; MSW 2016 ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Alum.

Credentials: MSW

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: Child Welfare, Social work practice, Field Experience series.ÌýI enjoy teaching in person! I love having discussions about social work.Ìý

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: Adjunct in 2018, Full Time in 2021

Fun Fact! I have seen the WEBN fireworks every year since 1980.Ìý

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Emilie Carter

Emilie Carter

MSW

Lecturer

MEP 222G

859-572-5547

cartere7@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW, University of Kentucky 2001; MSW, Spalding University 2006

Credentials: LCSW

Teaching Interests: Clinical Behavioral Health, Mental Health Diagnosis, Trauma-Informed Care

Practice Interests: I own my own practice serving adult women called Made for More Counseling. My areas of specialty include mood disorders, life transitions, codependency, and trauma. I hold Master Certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and very much enjoy helping others overcome lasting effects of childhood and other trauma.Ìý

Year started: 2021

Fun fact: I love being creative and am always working on a project—more recent endeavors include building Legos, crochet, and refinishing furniture!

Suk-hee Kim

Deborah Henry

MSW

Lecturer

MEP 222

859-572-1383

henryde@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ; MSW from University of Kentucky 

Credentials: MSW, BSW 

Teaching: Social Work & the Community, Introduction to Social Justice, Social Work Ethics, Professional Social Work Communication

Practice Interest: Advocacy, Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Special Education, Social Justice 

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ:Ìý2000Ìý

Fun Fact: I have raised/raising three generations of children (2 birth children, 5 grandchildren, and currently 2 great grandchildren).Ìý  Preferred Pronouns:Ìý²õ³ó±ð/³ó±ð°ù/³ó±ð°ù²õ

Suk-hee Kim

Suk-hee Kim

PhD, COI, MSW

Associate Professor

MEP 239

859-572-6031

kims16@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: Joint PhD in Social Work from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, an MSW from Boston University, and a B.A. in Social Welfare from Hanil University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Credentials: PhD, COI, MSW, BA

°Õ±ð²¹³¦³ó¾±²Ô²µÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Gerontology; Aging and Mental Health; Social Work Ethics

¸é±ð²õ±ð²¹°ù³¦³óÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Healthy Aging & Social Engagement; Opioid & Mental Health; Brain Function & Cognition; Social Work Education; Multiculturalism & Diversity; Community Empowerment & Advocacy; Human Trafficking; Primary Care & HIV/AIDS·

±Ê°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Active Professional Leadership; Community Engagement; Mentorship

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2014

Fun Fact: I enjoy Family Travel; Kayaking; Gathering and Fellowship

Reiko Ozaki

Reiko Ozaki

PhD, MSW, LISW-S

Associate Professor

MEP 222F

859-572-5167

ozakir1@nku.edu

±Ê¸é°¿¹ó±õ³¢·¡Ìý

Education: PhD from the University of Kentucky, & BSW and MSW from The Ohio State University

Credentials: PhD, MSW, LISW-S

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: My practice area has been gender-based violence (mainly intimate partner violence), mental health, anti-oppression, and refugee/immigrant communities.Ìý These practice interests touch all that I do in teaching and research.

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2017

Fun Fact! I am good at cooking something GOOD out of nothing (e.g., leftover veggies, things about to expire, bare fridge).Ìý

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

James Taylor

Steve Poulin

PhD, MSW

Lecturer

MEP 256

859-572-7554

poulins1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW and MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work; Ph.D., Columbia University School of Social Work

Teaching interests: Research and Social Policy

Research interests: After managing a shelter for homeless persons in Richmond, Virginia, I became interested in the historical and current role of shelters in addressing homelessness, and the potential of homelessness information system HMIS) data for shaping services.

Year started: 2022

Pronouns: He/him

Fun fact: I love science – I subscribe to Scientific American, religiously watch NOVA on PBS, and buy the paper copy of the New York Times every Tuesday for the Science Times section.

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Holly Riffe

Holly Riffe

PhD, MSW

Professor

MEP 235

859-572-5609

riffeh@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: PhD., Ohio State University, MSW University of Kentucky, BS (Psychological Sciences) ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ

Teaching Interests: Social Justice Studies, Compassion, Empathy and Forgiveness, and Social Work Ethics

Research Interests: Impact of culture and belief systems on our lives

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ 2001

Fun Fact: I’ve traveled to about 30 different countries. My favorite thing is to share a cup of tea with just about anyone to hear their story.

Karen Tapp

Karen Tapp

DSW, JD, MSSW

Associate Professor

MEP 222E

859-572-5605

tappk@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from University of Kentucky, MSSW from University of Tennessee, and JD from ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Chase College of Law

Credentials: BSW, MSSW, JD

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: Field Education, Service Learning, Duty to Protect, Ethics, Beyond Guilt Initiative

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ:Ìý2012

Fun Fact! I am an ardent supporter of .Ìý

Preferred Pronouns:Ìý²õ³ó±ð/³ó±ð°ù/³ó±ð°ù²õ

James Taylor

James Taylor

MSW

Senior Lecturer

MEP 245

859-572-5559

taylorj29@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) & MSW from the University of Alabama

Credentials: MSW

Teaching Interests: I teach primarily SWK 303 Professional Interactional Skills, SWK 392 Research Methods, and SWK 407 Social Welfare Policy at the undergraduate level. However, I have also taught multiple other classes over the years at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ (SWK 106, SWK 105, SWK 304, SWK 406, SWK 408, etc..). I have also taught several classes at the graduate level.

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2012

Fun Fact! I am obsessed with music.

Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his

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David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson

MSW, LCSW-S (KY), LISW-S (OH)

Senior Lecturer

SBIRT Investigator

MEP 260

859-572-7841

wilkersond1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: MSW from the University of Cincinnati

Credentials: MSW, LCSW-S (KY), LISW-S (OH)

Teaching and Practice Interests: Psychotherapy, Group Treatment, Assessment/Diagnosis, Children/Families, Behavioral Health Techniques, Agency Administration, Substance Use Disorders

Research Interests: Opioid use disorder, Multi-system Service Issues, Program Development, Use of Self in Therapy, SBIRT

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2008

Fun Fact! I was once the only passenger on a commercial flight and was out numbered 4:1 by the flight crew.

Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his

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Staff

Melanie Hall

Emma Bernardi

Academic Advisor

859-572-1442

bernardie1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Title: Academic Advisor

Job Responsibilities: Advising undergraduate Students (30 credit hours or more) in Social Work major and Social Justice minor students and Master of Social Work (Standard Track only)

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2023

Fun Fact! I have a minor in American Sign Language and I enjoy practicing ASL!

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Melanie Hall

Melanie Hall

Academic Coordinator

MEP 222B

859-572-5604

hallm10@nku.edu

PROFILE

Title: Academic Coordinator

Job Responsibilities: Budget, personnel, reporting, and course scheduling.

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2013

Fun Fact! I have a polydactyl (or Hemingway) cat with extra toes.

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Heidi Waters

Heidi Waters

Graduate Coordinator

859-572-7892

watersh2@nku.edu

Profile

Title: MSW Graduate Coordinator, School of Social Work//CHHS and Counseling Graduate Coordinator, School of KCRS//CHHS

Job Responsibilities: As graduate coordinator I typically interact with students from inquiry through graduation and licensure.Ìý Admissions, curriculum, advising, registration, student advocacy, program certification for graduation, licensure forms, etc.  Involves being part of a dynamic team of administrators, program directors, faculty, staff, and students to make the transition into and progress through professional graduate degrees as meaningful and enlightening as possible.Ìý

Year Started at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ: 2005

Fun Fact! I showed and trained jumpers for over 20 years and taught English Hunt Seat and Basic Dressage.

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

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