Faculty
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.'"
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."
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."
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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."
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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."
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."
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!"