Meet our Ph.D. candidates
The next generation of social work research scholars, educators and leaders.
The VCU School of Social Work is proud to present our seven Ph.D. candidates who are on the job market this year, seeking positions for the 2023-24 academic year.
My professional goals in the near future are to continue to acquire knowledge and skills to advance my research with older adults and to develop in my role as an effective social work educator.”
Sunghwan Cho, M.S.W. (chos11@vcu.edu)
I am excited to combine my experiences as a social work practitioner and scholar to continue research that addresses the ongoing disparities in health care and community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope to capitalize on the increased attention to health inequities in research and policy to generate changes at the local, state and federal levels.”
Sarah Lineberry, M.S.W., LCSW (lineberrys2@vcu.edu)
I plan to further explore and examine mental health services in the school setting by developing partnerships with schools, school mental health professionals and other researchers. I will seek external funding toward continued professional and research development to support my research to inform school policies and mental health interventions for adolescents. I also intend to expand upon my dissertation research to examine challenges to mental health service access following the COVIID-19 pandemic.”
Jennifer Murphy, M.S., M.S.W. (murphyjl4@vcu.edu)
In five years, I hope to continue strengthening my expertise as a social work educator, develop and enhance B.S.W. and M.S.W. courses, and serve in an active role within my department and the Council on Social Work Education. Ideally, the institution I work at will also have opportunities for online and hybrid learning. ”
Britney E. Pitts, M.S.W., LCSW (pittsb@vcu.edu)
My professional focus is on the effects of institutions on youth with specific attention given to alternative education models for diverse communities..”
Hilary Stim, M.S.W. (stimht@vcu.edu)
Looking ahead, I plan to establish partnerships with community agencies, other researchers and individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system. I also hope to obtain funding to support ongoing collaborations, student training opportunities and rigorous research that can inform interventions and policies to improve mental health outcomes of youth involved in the child welfare system. .”
Camie Tomlinson, M.S.W. (tomlinsonc2@vcu.edu)
I hope that my research serves to inform clinical practice with individuals and families. I would like to continue publishing in the areas of stigma, sexual offending and the experiences of Latinx individuals and families. I hope to collaborate with like-minded scholars to improve supportive services for marginalized communities. ”
Mauricio Yabar, M.S.W., M.Ed., LCSW, CST (yabarm@vcu.edu)
Dissertation
Acculturative stress and quality of life among older Korean immigrants: Do religiosity and resilience matter?
Research interests
- Aging
- Health and Well-being
- Religiosity
- Racial Health Disparities
- Acculturation
- Technology
Statement
The goal of Sung’s research is to promote health and mental health equity in later life. His research focuses on how social networks and religious beliefs and behaviors influence the physical and mental health of older adults, particularly members of immigrant and racial/ethnic minority groups. Sung has developed expertise in a range of quantitative methods to address issues, including smartphone / internet use to reduce social isolation, sex differences in psychological sense of community in the aftermath of a natural disaster, and religiosity as a resource for coping with acculturative stress.
Highlighted publications
- Son, Cho, H. J., Cho, S., Ryu, J., & Kim, S. (2022). The Moderating Effect of Social Support between Loneliness and Depression: Differences between the Young-Old and the Old-Old. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2322.
- Kim, K., Buckley, T., Burnette, D., Kim, S., & Cho, S. (2021). Measurement Indicators of Age-Friendly Communities: Findings from the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey. The Gerontologist.
- Kim, K., Burnette. D., Sok, A., & Minhong, L., & Cho, S. (2020). Geographic Proximity to Neighborhood Resources and Psychological Distress among Older adults in South Korea. Aging & Mental Health, 1-7.
→ Learn more about Sunghwan Cho: Full profile | CV | Contact: chos11@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Impact of COVID-19 on adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States
Research interests
- Intellectual and Developmental Disability
- Health Equity
- Community Living
- Social Policy
Teaching interests
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Research Methods
- Social Policy
Statement
Lineberry is committed to policy and research that promote equity and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lineberry has also worked with the local health department at testing and vaccination events, gaining valuable experience that has informed her research on advancing access to quality healthcare and health outcomes for people with IDD. Lineberry has developed expertise in quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research and is engaged with independent and collaborative research on quality of life outcomes, civic participation and access to support services for people with IDD.
Highlighted publications
- Lineberry, S., Bogenschutz, M. (in press). Voting and Disenfranchisement among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. Preprint available:
- Bogenschutz, M., Dinora, P., Lineberry, S., Prohn, S., Broda, M., & West, A. (2022). Promising Practices in the Frontiers of Quality Outcomes Measurement for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences: Disability, Rehabilitation, and Inclusion, e871178.
- Broda, M., Bogenschutz, M., Dinora, P., Prohn, S., Lineberry, S. & Ross, E. (2021). Using Machine Learning to Predict Patterns of Employment and Day Program Participation. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 126(6), 477-491).
Selected honors & awards
- Champion of Accessibility, VCU Transforming Accessibility Initiative
- Hans S. Falck Scholarship (doctoral), VCU School of Social Work
→ Learn more about Sarah Lineberry: Full profile | CV | Contact: lineberrys2@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Adolescent school mental health service utilization
Paper 1: Predictors of school mental health service utilization among middle and high school students
Paper 2: Examining longitudinal, reciprocal relations between mental health service settings and mental health symptoms
Paper 3: A qualitative study of school social workers’ perceptions and challenges of school mental health service utilization
Research interests
- Youth and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- School Mental Health Services
- School Social Work
- Childhood Adversity
Teaching interests
- Social Work Practice in the School Setting
- Research Methods and Quantitative/Qualitative Data Analysis
- Social Welfare Policy
Statement
Jennifer is passionate about promoting positive mental health outcomes and school success for adolescents through research that informs school interventions and policies. Her research focuses on identifying predictors and barriers to accessing school mental health services and the role of school social workers in promoting school mental health service utilization.
Her dissertation examines individual and school level factors of school mental health service utilization in adolescence, the longitudinal impact of school service on mental health symptoms and service utilization in adulthood, and explores school social workers’ role in school mental health.
Highlighted publications
- Murphy, J. L., & Kim, Y. (under review). The Utilization Profiles of School Mental Health Services among Adolescents. Journal of School Health.
- Kim, Y., & Murphy, J. L. (in press). Mental Health, Food Insecurity, and Economic Hardship among College Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Social Work Research.
- Murphy, J. L., Van Voorhees, E., O’Connor, K. E., Tomlinson, C. A., Matijczak, A., Applebaum, J. W., Ascione, F. R., Williams, J. H., & McDonald, S. E. (2021). Positive Engagement with Pets Buffers the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Callous-Unemotional Traits in Children. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1-22.
Selected honors & awards
- Hans S. Falck Scholarship (doctoral), VCU School of Social Work
- Radical Alliance for Anti-Racism, Change, and Equity (RAACE) Student Fellowship, 2020-2022
- VCU School of Social Work Service and Leadership Award, 2022
→ Learn more about Jennifer Murphy: Full profile | CV | Contact: murphyjl4@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Wrestling with the one drop rule: Exploring understandings of multiraciality in social work education
Research interests
- Social Work Education
- Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
- Multiracial Identity and Experiences
- Aesthetic Liberation for Black Individuals
- Culturally Responsive Research Methods
Teaching interests
- Critical and Transformational Pedagogy
- Online and Technology-enhanced Learning
- Human Behavior, Social Justice & Research Courses
Statement
Pitts’ teaching and research interests are motivated by her commitment to multicultural understanding and safety in social work. Her methods challenge dominant narratives while uplifting the authentic stories of underrepresented populations. As such, Pitts has developed expertise in qualitative research methods. Her three-paper dissertation includes a case study that explores social work students’ knowledge, attitudes and anticipated professional behavior with multiracial individuals and an autoethnography of her own experiences as a biracial student and researcher. The final paper provides recommendations to the CSWE EPAS to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within social work curricula.
Highlighted publications
- Corley, N. A., Pitts, B.E., Kirby, A. (2022). Black M/otherhood: A Content Analysis Exploring How Black Mothers are Represented in Social Work Literature. Affilia. Advance online publication.
- Pitts, B.E. (2021). Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears a CROWN: A Critical Race Analysis of Black Hair and Legal Discrimination. Journal of Black Studies. Advance online publication.
Selected honors & awards
- Robin M. McKinney Dissertation Honor Fund Endowment (Spring 2022)
- VCU SSW Service and Leadership Award (May 2021)
- VCU SSW Social Justice Award (April 2020)
- VCU SSW Black History in the Making Award (January 2020)
→ Learn more about Britney E. Pitts: Full profile | CV | Contact: pittsb@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Exploring the experience of refugee youth in public schools: An ethical phenomenological inquiry
Research interests
- Education Reform
- Participatory Parity
- Youth Engagement
- Immigrant and Refugee Youth
Teaching interests
- Education Policy
- Immigrant and Refugee Youth: U.S and Global Policy
Statement
Stim’s research focuses on the intersection between refugee youth and public schools. Currently, Stim works at New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), where she oversees youth-based congregate care settings and clinical interventions. Previously, she acted as the program director of Asian Family Support Services of Austin, Texas, an agency that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She gained teaching and program experience working in schools in both Virginia and Texas. Presently she is in the dissertation phase of her Ph.D.
Highlighted publications
- Wike, T. L., Grady, M. D., Massey, M., Bledsoe S. E., Bellamy, J. L., Stim, H., & Putzu, C. (2019) Newly Educated MSW Social Workers’ Use of Evidence-Based Practice and Evidence-Supported Interventions: Results from an Online Survey. Journal of Social Work Education.
- McDonald, S. E., Cody, A.M., Collins, E., Stim, H., Nicotera, N., Ascione, F. R., & Williams, J.H. (2018). Concomitant Exposure to Animal Abuse and Socioemotional Adjustment among Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11(3), 353-365.
- Wike, T. L., Grady, M. D., Stim, H., Massey, M., Bledsoe, S. E., Bellamy, J. L., & Putzu, C. (2018). Factors Influencing the Use of the EBP Process among Newly Licensed Social Work Practitioners. Journal of Social Work Education.
→ Learn more about Hilary Stim: Full profile | CV | Contact: stimht@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Comparing theoretical models of childhood adversity to understand psychological adjustment of child welfare-involved adolescents
Research interests
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Childhood Adversity
- Child Welfare
- Health Disparities
- Mental Health
Statement
Camie’s research focuses on identifying risk and protective factors and the developmental mechanisms through which childhood adversity shapes mental health outcomes among youth involved in the child welfare system. Additionally, she focuses on addressing health disparities and improving outcomes for marginalized youth within the child welfare system, including racial/ethnic minoritized youth and sexual and gender minority youth. Her three-paper dissertation involves a systematic review and longitudinal analyses of the National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II). The dissertation is funded by the APA Section on Child Maltreatment dissertation award.
Highlighted publications
- Shin, S., Choi, C., Jiskrova, G. K., Tomlinson, C., & Kimbrough, T. (accepted). Understanding the Intergenerational Cycle of Trauma and Violence: Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parent-to-Child Aggression Risk. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
- Tomlinson, C. A., Pittman, S. K., Murphy, J. L., Matijczak, A., & McDonald, S. E. (2022). Psychometric Evaluation of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample. Anthrozoös, 35(1), 143-163.
- Tomlinson, C. A., Murphy, J. L., Williams, J. M., Hawkins, R. D., Matijczak, A., Applebaum, J. W., & McDonald, S. E. (in press). Testing the Moderating Role of Victimization and Microaggressions on the Relationship between Human-Animal Interaction and Psychological Adjustment among LGBTQ+ Emerging Adults. Human Animal Interaction Bulletin.
Selected honors & awards
- 2022 – American Psychological Association Division 37, Section on Child Maltreatment Dissertation Award
- 2021 – ResilienceCon Life Paths Promising Scholar Award
→ Learn more about Camie Tomlinson: Full profile | CV | Contact: tomlinsonc2@vcu.edu
Dissertation
Horizontes extraños: A phenomenological investigation on the lived experiences of Latina mothers in the aftermath of youth sexual offending
Research interests
- Challenges and Collateral Consequences Facing Mothers of Youth Who Have Sexually Offended
- Latina Transnational Motherhood
- The Effects of Shame and Stigma on Identity Development
- Latino Queer Men with Childhood Histories of Homophobic Bullying
- Psychosocial Experiences of Latino Queer Men
- Critical Approaches in Qualitative Research
Teaching interests
- Culturally-Inclusive Narrative Pedagogy
- Fostering Healing through Social Work Education
- Clinical Social Work Theory and Practice
Statement
Yabar draws on social constructionism and narrative theory to inform his teaching, research and clinical practice. He is interested in applying qualitative research methods to explore the lived experiences of stigmatized, and largely understudied, populations. This work aims to disrupt dominant narratives that contribute to stigma while highlighting alternative interpretations of phenomena. His dissertation focuses on gaining an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences of Latina mothers of youth who have committed a sexual offense. It uses phenomenology and Latina feminism to explore the specific sociocultural conditions that shape these mothers’ experiences as they navigate various collateral consequences associated with youth sexual offending. Through this work, Yabar hopes to make recommendations for the development of culturally inclusive, offense-specific services for Latinx youth and their families, and to help inform juvenile sex offending policy by adding a needed cultural perspective.
Highlighted publications
- Yabar, M. P. (2021). Narratives in Sex Offender Management Laws: How Stories about a Label Shape Policymaking. The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 48(1), 33-56.
- Wike, T. L., Bouchard, L. M., Kemmerer, A., & Yabar, M. P. (2021). Victimization and Resilience: Experiences of Rural LGBTQ+ Youth Across Multiple Contexts. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1-28.
- Yabar, M. P. (2021). [Review of the book The Feminist and the sex offender: Confronting sexual harm, ending state violence, by J. Levine & E. R. Meiners]. Criminal Justice Review.
Selected honors & awards
- Service and Leadership Award 2020 - 2021, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Social Work
- Teaching Excellence Award 2018 - 2019, University of Denver, School of Social Work
- Academic Achievement Award, State of New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
→ Learn more about Mauricio Yabar: Full profile | CV | Contact: yabarm@vcu.edu