MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) — ONLINE
At Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, we are committed to providing you with an academic community of instructors and fellow students who enrich your learning experience with learnings from their own practitioner background. Our faculty members will help promote your personal and professional growth so you can achieve your goals both academically and in your career.
Faculty devote themselves to help develop ethical, empathetic leaders for clinical practice. They're here to support you through email, as well as virtual office hours through Zoom and more. Meet your MSW faculty below.
- Program Director
Dr. Knipe began her career in social work as a child protective services worker, practicing in both Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Within the CPS system, she has engaged in investigations, ongoing permanency work, and prevention services.
- Faculty Member
Sylvester Amara Lamin is a graduate from The Ohio State University College of Social Work, in Columbus Ohio, where he earned his Ph.D., MSW, and a Certificate in AIDS education.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
Dr. Jennifer Gervais developed a passion for working in the field of mental health in her undergraduate social work internship at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
- Faculty Member
Shelly Statz is the Field Education Director and a Core Faculty member of the Master of Social Work program. Shelly has been practicing clinical social work for over 20 years.
- Adjunct Instructor
Lisa began her career in the human services field as a two year member of Americorps working with youth and families in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- Adjunct Instructor
Beth Johnson is originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota, she has called Minnesota home for 15 years now and quite enjoys the wide array of culture, outdoor activities and diverse experiences the Twin Cities has to offer.
- Associate Professor
Michaela Rinkel is an Associate Professor and Core Faculty Member in the Master of Social Work program. Dr. Rinkel earned her Bachelor’s degree of Social Work from the College of St. Catherine, her Master of Social Work and Ph.D.
- Adjunct Associate Professor
Julie Franks, DSW, LCSW, MTS is both a licensed clinical social worker and social work educator. Dr. Franks came to social work after earning her B.A.
- Core Faculty - Assistant Professor
Dr. Maima Fant, DSW, LICSW is a core faculty member of the Master of Social Work program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
- Adjunct Associate Professor
Dessalegn N. Guyo (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He is an adjunct professor at Bowie State University College of Professional Studies (August 2017- Present).
- Adjunct Associate Professor
Kelly Harding (she/her), MSW, LISW, has worked for over 15 years in the nonprofit sector and for 7 years as a licensed social worker. She received her BA from the University of St.
- Adjunct Instructor
Sheri Hixon, MSW, LGSW has worked in Human Services for over 30 years. Hixon has dedicated her career towards listening to, supporting, working with, uplifting and empowering diverse and marginalized communities.
- Adjunct Instructor
Emily Johnson, holds her Masters of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Emily holds her Social Work License with Minnesota.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
Cary is a licensed social worker currently living in Chicago, IL.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor
April Mallory, LCSW, MAC, is a clinician and social work educator. She is part of a team that evaluates physicians and other professionals for fitness for duty at the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Assessment Program.
- Adjunct Instructor
Robin Ostermann-Raj has worked for the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services for 30 years.
- Adjunct Associate Professor
Dr. Consoler Teboh, is an adjunct Associate Professor of Social Work at Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota. Both his Master’s and Doctoral were earned from the University of Texas at Arlington in the field of Social Work. He also holds a B.Sc.
- Adjunct Instructor
Marit Appeldoorn is a social worker, supervisor, and trainer who has been in practice for 25 years. She received her B.A.
- Adjunct Associate Professor
BA, Psychology, DePaul University
MS, Counselor Education, UW-Madison
PhD, Institute for Clinical Social Work, Child-Adolescent Specialization