I have been teaching at Governors State
University since the Fall of 2005. I am currently a full-time senior lecturer in the Addictions Studies
program of the College
of Health and Human Services.
I originally joined Addictions Studies to assist in the development of
online courses for the Addictions Screening Assessment and Referral Certificate
program.
Since 2005, I have developed several online and hybrid courses for the
Masters of Health Science (MHS) in Addictions Studies program and MHS in Addictions
Studies Addictions Counseling Concentration. I am honored and grateful for the
opportunity to work with this esteemed faculty and to be part of an academic program
that is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of addiction.
What I enjoy about teaching at GSU is working with the
diverse population of students, especially the older adult learner. Being an
older adult student who earned one of my master’s degrees at the age of 62
gives me the opportunity to be a role model and mentor for the returning and
current older adult student. Another enjoyment
is bringing my clinical experience to the classroom, which I believe enhances
the student’s learning environment.
I am an elected board member for the Illinois Chapter (IAAP) of NAADAC, the National Association for Addiction Professionals. In 2016, I will be serving as President of
IAAP and look forward to advocating for changes in the addiction
field — whether it be for counselors, educators or clients. For the past five years, I have joined students from the Addictions Studies program for a day of advocacy in Springfield; we meet with our Illinois state law makers and advocate for laws that support the work being done by the professionals in our field.