Faculty

Rita Braun, LCSW, CADC, CAMS-I
Rita Braun, LCSW, CADC, CAMS-I

Assistant Field Director Office Phone: 630-947-8911
Email: rbraun@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Substance use disorders, anger management, working with the adolescent population Education: MSW, St. Ambrose University
BA in Psychology with a Social Work minor, University of Iowa
LCSW
CADC Favorite thing about AU: "There is never a dull moment! The AU staff is supportive and truly defines the word 'team.'"

Ariana Carlson Maggio, MSW, LCSW, PEL: SSW
Ariana Carlson Maggio, MSW, LCSW, PEL: SSW

Assistant Professor of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-6554
Email: acarlson@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Social work practice with youth and families, group facilitation, school social work, nonprofit program management and leadership Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Aurora University Favorite thing about AU: "I value the student-centered and innovative instructional approaches that enable transformative learning experiences for students."

Laura Donavon, LCSW
Laura Donavon, LCSW

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coordinator of Addictions and Forensics Track Office Phone: 630-947-8943
Email: ldonavon@aurora.edu Education: MSW, George Williams College, Aurora University
BSW, George Williams College, Aurora University
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)
Clinically Certified Juvenile Treatment Specialist (CCJTS)
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professional Board Registration (CODP I) Favorite thing about AU: "Transforming the lives of those who will, in turn, transform others' lives." View LinkedIn Profile

Don Phelps, PhD, LCSW
Don Phelps, PhD, LCSW

Professor of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-4238
Email: dphelps@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Macro practice areas of human rights, social justice and social policy, group work, social policy and social work practice Education: PhD, Social Service Administration and Social Policy Analysis, University of Illinois
MSW, Youth and Family Counseling, Aurora University
BS, Sociology and Psychology, Northern Illinois University
LCSW, Doctorate Level, Illinois Department of Professional Regulation Favorite thing about AU: "Student-centered learning that moves students from passive receivers of information to active participants in their own discovery process." View LinkedIn Profile

Allison Schuck, MSW, LSW
Allison Schuck, MSW, LSW

BSW Program Chair, Leadership and Administration Track Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Social Work Office Phone: 630-947-8936
Email: aschuck@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Child and adolescent mental health, social policy, social work leadership, community/macro practice Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Evangel University Favorite thing about AU: "Our focus on quality: quality connections with our students, quality education, and quality programming to meet the emerging needs of the social work field."

Joanna VanLear, LCSW
Joanna VanLear, LCSW

Field Director Office Phone: 630-844-5262
Email: jvanlear@aurora.edu Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Aurora University Favorite thing about AU: "The culture of mutual respect and appreciation that creates a place where one can thrive."

Laura Vargas, MSW, LCSW, CWEL
Laura Vargas, MSW, LCSW, CWEL

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coordinator of Child Welfare Track Office Phone: 630-947-8900
Email: lvargas@aurora.edu Education: Type 73 School Social Work Certification, Aurora University
MSW (Specialization - Children and Families), University of Illinois
BS, Social Work, Sociology minor, Illinois State University Favorite thing about AU: "AU offers so many opportunities for lifelong learning and growth for students and faculty. The opportunities to learn something new every day are endless at AU. That is one of many things I love about AU!"