FA C U LT Y & S TA F F U P D AT E S
NEW FACULTY
“It is my hope that social work will become the global platform for universal change.”
“As the need for social work continues to grow, the use of technology in social work expands our reach. What an exciting time to be a part of a meaningful career!”
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SOCIALWORK.UTAH.EDU
In January 2021, Leroy “Curtis” Johnson joined the College of Social Work (CSW) as a practicum coordinator and assistant professor (clinical). Prof. Johnson brings over 37 years of social services experience to the College, spanning from criminal justice to child welfare, and mental health. He earned his MSW from Howard University, and put his education into practice as a child protection services social worker in California and as a faculty member at Touro University Worldwide’s Edith Neumann School of Health and Human Services Social Work Program. Prof. Johnson is passionate about advancing practicum techniques to better prepare students for their future in social work. MSW graduate Susiane Manning returned to the College in January as an assistant professor (clinical) and practicum coordinator. Prof. Manning joins the College from an executive leadership role in a mental health agency, where she directed clinical operations, supervised interns, and maintained her client caseload. She also has experience working for a digital health company and providing online mental health services, which she mastered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the world of virtual healthcare. She looks forward to using her background to continually improve the experience for students in their field education.
Assistant Professor (Lecturer) Frank McAlpin joined the CSW in January. He earned his MSW from Fordham University, followed by his DSW from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. McAlpin has spent years working in community-based agencies around the country, including his role as the senior housing manager at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he developed residential and clinical programming. He also taught classes about family resilience and health disparities as an adjunct professor at California State University while in Los Angeles. Dr. McAlpin is passionate about many social work-related issues, including trauma-informed care, ending youth homelessness, LGBT rights, and social justice. In May, alumna Allison O’Connor took on a new role as an assistant professor (lecturer) in the College, building upon her previous experience as an instructor of applied statistics and a field education coordinator. Working in research and administrative roles, she has established evaluation collaborations with state and national partners, and has worked to provide mental health services to individuals, families, and groups. She is passionate about the intersection of social work research and practice, and supports students in connecting micro, mezzo, and macro levels to integrate materials.
“I hope that the field of social work continues to address social injustices by prioritizing human connection, empowerment, solidarity, and liberation.”
“As we look to increasingly complex futures, social work students give me hope and inspire me to challenge my own understandings.”
