51AV

Nycole Brundidge

MSW

Clinical Assistant Professor

CW PREP Site Coordinator

MEP 241

859-572-7504

brundidgen@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW 2005; MSW 2016 NKU Alum.

Credentials: MSW

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: Child Welfare, Social work practice, Field Experience series.ÌýI enjoy teaching in person! I love having discussions about social work.Ìý

Year Started at NKU: Adjunct in 2018, Full Time in 2021

Fun Fact! I have seen the WEBN fireworks every year since 1980.Ìý

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Emilie Carter

MSW

Lecturer

MEP 222G

859-572-5547

cartere7@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW, University of Kentucky 2001; MSW, Spalding University 2006

Credentials: LCSW

Teaching Interests: Clinical Behavioral Health, Mental Health Diagnosis, Trauma-Informed Care

Practice Interests: I own my own practice serving adult women called Made for More Counseling. My areas of specialty include mood disorders, life transitions, codependency, and trauma. I hold Master Certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy and very much enjoy helping others overcome lasting effects of childhood and other trauma.Ìý

Year started: 2021

Fun fact: I love being creative and am always working on a project—more recent endeavors include building Legos, crochet, and refinishing furniture!

Deborah Henry

MSW

Lecturer

MEP 222

859-572-1383

henryde@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from 51AV; MSW from University of Kentucky 

Credentials: MSW, BSW 

Teaching: Social Work & the Community, Introduction to Social Justice, Social Work Ethics, Professional Social Work Communication

Practice Interest: Advocacy, Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Special Education, Social Justice 

Year Started at NKU:Ìý2000Ìý

Fun Fact: I have raised/raising three generations of children (2 birth children, 5 grandchildren, and currently 2 great grandchildren).Ìý  Preferred Pronouns:Ìý²õ³ó±ð/³ó±ð°ù/³ó±ð°ù²õ

Suk-hee Kim

PhD, COI, MSW

Associate Professor

MEP 239

859-572-6031

kims16@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: Joint PhD in Social Work from the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, an MSW from Boston University, and a B.A. in Social Welfare from Hanil University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Credentials: PhD, COI, MSW, BA

°Õ±ð²¹³¦³ó¾±²Ô²µÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Gerontology; Aging and Mental Health; Social Work Ethics

¸é±ð²õ±ð²¹°ù³¦³óÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Healthy Aging & Social Engagement; Opioid & Mental Health; Brain Function & Cognition; Social Work Education; Multiculturalism & Diversity; Community Empowerment & Advocacy; Human Trafficking; Primary Care & HIV/AIDS·

±Ê°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Active Professional Leadership; Community Engagement; Mentorship

Year Started at NKU: 2014

Fun Fact: I enjoy Family Travel; Kayaking; Gathering and Fellowship

Kevin Lotz

PhD, LISW (Ohio), LCSW (New York), LICDC, ICADC, ACSW

Assistant Professor

MEP 247

859-572-7750

lotzk1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: PhD from New York University- Silver School of Social Work, MSW from Washington University in St. Louis- The Brown School of Social Work and Public Health, & BSW from Missouri State University School of Social Work

Credentials: PhD, MSW, BSW, LISW (Ohio), LCSW (New York), LICDC, ICADC, ACSW

Teaching Interests: Student Centered Education; Social Work Practice; Evidence Based Practices; Trauma-Informed Practice; Adult Learning & Non-Traditional Students; Social Work Field Education; Social and Economic Justice; Multicultural Diversity & Oppression

Research Interests: African American Women's Health Issues; COVID-19; Health Disparities & Social Determinants of Health; Women Injection Drug Use; Heroin, Opioid, Substance Use & Abuse; Homelessness & Housing Insecurity

Practice Interests: Nonprofit Administration, Management and Supervision; Organization and Program Development; Program and Practice Evaluation; Mental Health; Trauma; Substance Abuse; Homelessness; Criminal Justice Involvement, Incarceration & Forensic Social Work; Health Disparities; Bereavement, Grief & Loss

Year Started at NKU: 2019

Fun Fact! As I was completing my MSW degree, I moved to New York City (Manhattan) to launch my professional social work career, where I would then spend the next 16 years managing two of the nation's largest drug/alcohol rehabs while also founding and directing a homeless youth shelter. Just before I left NYC to join NKU, I completed a 32-mile walk around the entire island of Manhattan! 

Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his

Reiko Ozaki

PhD, MSW, LISW-S

Associate Professor

MEP 222F

859-572-5167

ozakir1@nku.edu

±Ê¸é°¿¹ó±õ³¢·¡Ìý

Education: PhD from the University of Kentucky, & BSW and MSW from The Ohio State University

Credentials: PhD, MSW, LISW-S

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: My practice area has been gender-based violence (mainly intimate partner violence), mental health, anti-oppression, and refugee/immigrant communities.Ìý These practice interests touch all that I do in teaching and research.

Year Started at NKU: 2017

Fun Fact! I am good at cooking something GOOD out of nothing (e.g., leftover veggies, things about to expire, bare fridge).Ìý

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Steve Poulin

PhD, MSW

Lecturer

MEP 256

859-572-7554

poulins1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW and MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work; Ph.D., Columbia University School of Social Work

Teaching interests: Research and Social Policy

Research interests: After managing a shelter for homeless persons in Richmond, Virginia, I became interested in the historical and current role of shelters in addressing homelessness, and the potential of homelessness information system HMIS) data for shaping services.

Year started: 2022

Pronouns: He/him

Fun fact: I love science – I subscribe to Scientific American, religiously watch NOVA on PBS, and buy the paper copy of the New York Times every Tuesday for the Science Times section.

Holly Riffe

PhD, MSW

Professor

MEP 235

859-572-5609

riffeh@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: PhD., Ohio State University, MSW University of Kentucky, BS (Psychological Sciences) NKU

Teaching Interests: Social Justice Studies, Compassion, Empathy and Forgiveness, and Social Work Ethics

Research Interests: Impact of culture and belief systems on our lives

Year Started at NKU 2001

Fun Fact: I’ve traveled to about 30 different countries. My favorite thing is to share a cup of tea with just about anyone to hear their story.

Karen Tapp

DSW, JD, MSSW

Associate Professor

MEP 222E

859-572-5605

tappk@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from University of Kentucky, MSSW from University of Tennessee, and JD from NKU Chase College of Law

Credentials: BSW, MSSW, JD

Teaching, Research, and Practice Interests: Field Education, Service Learning, Duty to Protect, Ethics, Beyond Guilt Initiative

Year Started at NKU:Ìý2012

Fun Fact! I am an ardent supporter of .Ìý

Preferred Pronouns:Ìý²õ³ó±ð/³ó±ð°ù/³ó±ð°ù²õ

James Taylor

MSW

Senior Lecturer

MEP 245

859-572-5559

taylorj29@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: BSW from University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) & MSW from the University of Alabama

Credentials: MSW

Teaching Interests: I teach primarily SWK 303 Professional Interactional Skills, SWK 392 Research Methods, and SWK 407 Social Welfare Policy at the undergraduate level. However, I have also taught multiple other classes over the years at NKU (SWK 106, SWK 105, SWK 304, SWK 406, SWK 408, etc..). I have also taught several classes at the graduate level.

Year Started at NKU: 2012

Fun Fact! I am obsessed with music.

Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his

Jessica Averitt Taylor

PhD, MSW

Associate Professor

MEP 237

859-572-6511

taylorj28@nku.edu

profile

Education: PhD from the University of Alabama

Credentials: PhD, MSW

Teaching Interests: Research, social welfare policy, community organization, professional social work communication skills, BSW and MSW field experiences, social work and the community

¸é±ð²õ±ð²¹°ù³¦³óÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Food insecurity; poverty and social determinants of health; social supports; access and inclusion in higher education; pedagogy; leadership and mentorship

±Ê°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±õ²Ô³Ù±ð°ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ: Community organization and macro social work; reproductive health and social determinants of health; poverty and food insecurity; access and inclusion in higher education; leadership and mentorship

Year Started at NKU: 2012

Fun Fact! I am a major bookworm, and love to read across genres including social and cultural histories, public health, and fantasy (both high-fantasy and pure candy).

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers (for more information, please visit the )

David Wilkerson

MSW, LCSW-S (KY), LISW-S (OH)

Senior Lecturer

SBIRT Investigator

MEP 260

859-572-7841

wilkersond1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Education: MSW from the University of Cincinnati

Credentials: MSW, LCSW-S (KY), LISW-S (OH)

Teaching and Practice Interests: Psychotherapy, Group Treatment, Assessment/Diagnosis, Children/Families, Behavioral Health Techniques, Agency Administration, Substance Use Disorders

Research Interests: Opioid use disorder, Multi-system Service Issues, Program Development, Use of Self in Therapy, SBIRT

Year Started at NKU: 2008

Fun Fact! I was once the only passenger on a commercial flight and was out numbered 4:1 by the flight crew.

Preferred Pronouns: he/him/his

Emma Bernardi

Academic Advisor

859-572-1442

bernardie1@nku.edu

PROFILE

Title: Academic Advisor

Job Responsibilities: Advising undergraduate Students (30 credit hours or more) in Social Work major and Social Justice minor students and Master of Social Work (Standard Track only)

Year Started at NKU: 2023

Fun Fact! I have a minor in American Sign Language and I enjoy practicing ASL!

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Melanie Hall

Academic Coordinator

MEP 222B

859-572-5604

hallm10@nku.edu

PROFILE

Title: Academic Coordinator

Job Responsibilities: Budget, personnel, reporting, and course scheduling.

Year Started at NKU: 2013

Fun Fact! I have a polydactyl (or Hemingway) cat with extra toes.

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers

Heidi Waters

Graduate Coordinator

859-572-7892

watersh2@nku.edu

Profile

Title: MSW Graduate Coordinator, School of Social Work//CHHS and Counseling Graduate Coordinator, School of KCRS//CHHS

Job Responsibilities: As graduate coordinator I typically interact with students from inquiry through graduation and licensure.Ìý Admissions, curriculum, advising, registration, student advocacy, program certification for graduation, licensure forms, etc.  Involves being part of a dynamic team of administrators, program directors, faculty, staff, and students to make the transition into and progress through professional graduate degrees as meaningful and enlightening as possible.Ìý

Year Started at NKU: 2005

Fun Fact! I showed and trained jumpers for over 20 years and taught English Hunt Seat and Basic Dressage.

Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers