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
- BSW Walla Walla University, 1997
- MSW Walla Walla University, 2000
- DSW University of Southern California, 2020
- 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
Analizeth Pesqueira, M.S.W.
Field Education Director
Assistant Professor of Social Work and Sociology
(509) 527-2512
Education
- Master of Social Work, Walla Walla University
- Bachelor of Social Work, Walla Walla University
Teaching Areas
- BSW and MSW Field Education
Research/Interest
- Human Rights and Basic Needs
- Parent and Family Help and Support
- Child Advocacy and Family Justice Center
- Community Outreach and Change
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Inequality, Equality, Equity, and Social Justice
- Criminal Justice System and Restorative Justice
- Play Therapy
- Childhood Abuse and Neglect
- Trauma and Trauma Informed Practice
- School Social Work
- Medical Social Work
Other
- Professional Memberships/Affiliations
- Awards
- Service
- Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Board Member
- Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools (WWVAS) Board Member
- Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Volunteer
- Home Church Ministries
Education
- BA, Communication & Media
- MSW
- PhD, Organization and Management
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”
- M.S.W. 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
- M.S.W. Indiana University
- D.S.W. University of Southern California
- LICSW
- LCSW
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, UCLA, 2016
MA – Religion—Old Testament, Andrews University, 2010
MA – Religion—Religious Education, Andrews University, 2010
BA – Theology, Walla Walla University, 2005
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.
Janet Ockerman, Ph.D., M.A.W., B.A.
Professor Emeritus of Social Work
and Sociology
(509) 527-2447
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
Education
- BS Central Philippine Adventist College; Accountancy
Experience
- 2009-2014: Volunteer ESL teacher for Yap SDA School
- 2015-2017: Teaching middle and high school buisness subjects at Ebeye SDA School
Research/Interests
- Animal rescues
- Different art mediums and techniques
- Volunteer opportunities in the community and church ministries
Hobbies
Arts and crafts, hiking, being out in nature, trying out new foods and recipes, quiet time at home connecting with family and friends.
Education
- BS Physical Education, Union College 2013
Experience
- Mount Ellis Academy: Athletic Director/Physical Education Teacher (2016-2021)
- Various roles within various Walla Walla public schools (2021-2023)
Hobbies
Spending time with family, sports, and spending time in nature.