College Place Faculty
Our faculty of primarily full-time professors along with supporting adjunct teachers is large enough to offer experience in a diverse range of areas, but small enough to allow students to get to know each faculty member. We strive to offer a quality program for our majors, including a wide range of class options and small class sizes.
Deisy Haid, D.S.W., M.S.W., LCSW
Dean of Social Work and Sociology
Associate Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2472
Education
- Doctor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Master of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Bachelor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- LCSW
Teaching Areas
- Field education
- Clinical Practice with Individual Groups
- Clinical Practice Crisis Intervention
Research/Interests
Latinas in Not-for-Profit Leadership
Other
- Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers, February 2019
- Council for Social Work Education, 2019
- Oregon Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW), April 2017
- Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society, June 2009
- Awards
- Social Work Educator of the Year Award, National Association of National Social Workers - WA, 2022
- Sherwood Trust Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship, Sherwood Trust, 2019
- Community Partner of the Month Award, Clackamas County Behavioral Health Division, 2016
- Clinician of the Month Award, Clackamas County Behavioral Health Division, 2012
- Service
- Walla Walla Community Court Workgroup
- Founder and board member , Blue Mountain Health Cooperative
- Volunteer Soccer Coach, Walla Walla Parks and Recreation
- Walla Walla University Church Vacation Bible School
- Eastern WA Regional Representative, National Association of Social Workers
- Court Appointed Special Advocate, Walla Walla / Columbia County
- Youth Leader, Mosaic Adventist Church Youth Ministry
Jeremy A. Springer, D.S.W., M.S.W., LICSW
M.S.W. Program Director
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2359
Education
- Doctor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Master of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Bachelor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- LCSW, LICSW
Teaching Areas
- Advanced Clinical practice with individuals and groups
- Cognitive behavior and solution-focused therapies
- Evaluation of clinical practice
- Social Welfare Policy
Research/Interests
- Burnout in the community mental health workforce
- Suicide prevention and awareness
- Reducing the lifespan disparity for the severely mentally ill
Other
- Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society- Pi Xi Chapter, 2009
- National Association of Social Workers
- Awards
- Excellence in Practicum Award, 2008
- Outstanding Student Scholar Award, 2005
- Service
- Clinical service for low income high needs population
- Complex consulting case
Emily Tillotson, D.S.W., M.S.W., LCSW
B.S.W. Program Director
Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2705
Education
- Doctor of Social Work, University of Southern California
- Master of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Bachelor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- LICSW
Teaching Areas
Inequality, race and gender, criminal justice and social work practice
Research/Interests
Race and ethnicity, families and parenting and mental health
Hobbies
Gardening, cooking, tennis
Other
Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- NASW
- CSWE
Faculty Awards
- 2015 Walla Walla University Community Service Award
Service
- President NASW-Washington Chapter
- Walla Walla Housing Authority Commissioner
Jim Boyd, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2367
Education
- Doctor of Organization and Management
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Communication & Media
Teaching Areas
- Practice with Individuals
- Advanced Practice with Groups
- Social Work, Religion and Spirituality
- Attachment Theory
- Marriage and Family Life
Research/Interests
- Attachment and Leadership
- Pedagogy of Social Work, Religion and Spirituality
Marriage, Family, Men’s Mental Health, Horses, Sheep and “Squirrels”
Other
Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- Council on Social Work Education
Service
- Church Music Ministry
- Home Church Ministry
- Men’s Ministry
Cheris Current, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.A.
D.S.W. Program Director
Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2903
Education
- Ph.D. Washington State University “Expanding the ‘Exile Model’: Race, Gender, Resettlement, and Cuban-American Identity, 1959-1979”
- Master of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- M.A. Washington State University
- B.A. Southern Adventist University
Research/Interests
- Race
- Class
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Identity
Service
- 2011-Present Blue Mountain Action Council
- 2020-Present Director of the Donald Blake Center
- 2016-2020 Blake Center Associate Director
- 2018-2021 Chair, Faculty Development Committee
Faculty Awards
- 2019 C. Michael and DeLona Lang Bell Outstanding Teaching Award
- 2017 WWU Community Service Award
- 2016 Excellence in Academic Advisement Award
Idah Taruwinga, D.S.W., M.S.W., LICSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2410
Education
- Doctor of Social Work, University of Southern California
- Master of Social Work, Indiana University
- LCSW, LICSW
Research/Interest
- Domestic violence
- Women and health
- Mental health
Teaching Area
- Direct social work practice
Hobbies
- Gardening and traveling
Other
Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
Jody Washburn, Ph.D., M.A.R., B.A.
Associate Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2479
Education
- PhD – Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of California Los Angeles
- MA – Religion—Old Testament, Andrews University
- MA – Religion—Religious Education, Andrews University
- BA – Theology, Walla Walla University
Research/Interests
- Interdisciplinary study of ancient tombs and inscriptions
- Intersections between psychological science and theology, particularly in the area of compassion and spirituality
- Creative pedagogy, particularly in the areas of Bible and archaeology
- Metaphor in the Hebrew Bible
Hobbies
Camping, hiking, playing ragtime on the piano, reading, and going out with friends.
Kristen Coffeen-Smith, D.S.W., M.S.W., LICSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2389
Staff
Jed Lorraine Watson
Office Manager and Recruitment Coordinator
(509) 527-2763