Faculty & Staff
Faculty
JOHN HALLORAN, PH.D., J.D.
Associate Professorjhalloran2@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5009 | BE-198 Education:
Ph.D. in Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
M.A. in Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
J.D. in Law, Loyola University
B.A. in Biological Sciences, Northwestern University
Courses/Focus Areas:
Children and Families
Policy
Research
Theory
Professional Background:
John Halloran is an associate professor in the social work department. He began his career as an attorney representing children in abuse and neglect court in Illinois. He holds a Ph.D. and MSW from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, and JD from Loyola University. Inspired by his experience as a GAL, John now researches the intersection of law and social work in child welfare courts. John teaches primarily in the bachelor of social work program, with courses focusing on children and families, policy, research, and theory.
MICHAEL LLOYD, PH.D., LCSW, CADC
Associate Professorlloydmi@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5256 | BE-166 Education:
Ph.D. in Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
Master of Social Work (MSW), Loyola University Chicago
Certificate, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling, Loyola University Chicago
Courses/Focus Areas:
Human Behavior
Practice
Substance Use
Professional Background:
Michael Lloyd is an assistant professor. Dr. Lloyd completed his Master’s Degree in Social Work and Certification for Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC) as well as his Ph.D. in Social Work at the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. Dr Lloyd’s current areas of interest, research and scholarship include substance use disorders, LGBTQ issues, and co-occurring disorders. Dr. Lloyd teaches human behavior, practice and substance use treatment courses.
JENNIFER LUBINSKI, MSW, LCSW
Field Director, Assistant Professor of Social Work
jlubinski@lewisu.edu | (815)836-5149 | BE-182
Degrees:
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Illinois Chicago
B.A. in Psychology, Benedictine University
Courses/Focus Areas:
Field Seminar
Intro to Social Work
Medical Social Work
Hospice
Gerontology
Oncology
Professional Background:
Jen Lubinski joined the Â鶹´«Ã½ Social Work Department in July of 2023. She is the Field Director for both the Undergraduate and Graduate programs. She is also an Assistant Professor. For over 20 years Jen worked as a Medical Social Worker. Her main focus for the last 13 years has been with Hospice patients and their families. Through her work with Hospice, Jen has also developed a great interest in Gerontology and Oncology Social Work. Jen is currently pursuing a Bioethics Scholar’s recognition through Northwestern University.
LORRI McMEEL, PH.D., LCSW
Chair, Associate Professor, BSW Program Directorlmcmeel@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5090 | BE-167
Degrees:
Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Georgia
B.A. in Psychology, Georgia State University
Courses/Focus Areas:
Field Seminar
Human Behavior
Research
Crisis Intervention
Psychopathology
Professional Background:
Dr. McMeel joined the Social Work faculty at Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2017. She has been involved in higher education for over a decade. Dr. McMeel has experience in numerous mental health, health, and crisis settings. She specializes in working with children and adolescents. Dr. McMeel’s areas of interest and research include suicidology, mental health, at-risk youth, program evaluation, and social work pedagogy.
DR. EMILY SHAYMAN, PH.D., LSW
Assistant Professoreshayman@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5382 | BE-195
Education:
Ph.D. in Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
Master of Social Work (MSW), Loyola University Chicago
B.A. in Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Courses/Focus Areas:
Social Emotional Learning
School Social Work
Culturally Responsive Practices
Interdisciplinary Practices
Professional Background:
Dr. Shayman joined the Department of Social Work at Â鶹´«Ã½ in Fall 2019. Prior to this position, she worked as a school social worker in P-12 public schools in Illinois. Dr. Shayman’s dissertation research focused on the ways in which personal and professional identity influences professional decision-making of school-based social workers. Currently, Dr. Shayman works with schools and communities to increase equitable policies and practices that lead to social emotional wellbeing. As Director/P.I. of a ‘Full-Service Community Schools’ grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Shayman directs the Â鶹´«Ã½ Community Schools Consortium (LUCSC), where she partners with schools to implement the ‘community schools’ strategy, bringing together community and university resources in strategic and innovative ways. Dr. Shayman also Co-Directs the ‘Joliet-Lewis Partnership for School Mental Health’ (JolLe), an initiative via the U.S. Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program.
ELLEN THURSBY, PH.D., LICSW
Professorthursbel@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5497 | BE-168
Education:
Ph.D. in Social Work, The Catholic University of America
Master of Social Work (MSW), The Catholic University of America
B.A. in Economics and Political Science, Denison University
Courses/Focus Areas:
Theory
Practice
Research
Professional Background:
Dr. Thursby joined the Department of Social Work Faculty at Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2016. She has more than 30 years of experience working with young children, children with disabilities and their families, and adolescent parents. Dr. Thursby’s dissertation research featured a narrative analysis of the decision making process involved in becoming a teenage parent. Her research interest include pedagogy, field education, immigration, and poverty.
RACHEL WELLS, PH.D.
Assistant Professor, MSW Program Director
rwells2@lewisu.edu | (815) 836-5383 | BE-196
Education:
Ph.D. in Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Master of Urban Planning (MUP), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B.A. Environmental Science, Washington University, St. Louis MO
Professional Background:
Dr. Rachel Wells joined the Social Work department at Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2021. Her research examines assumptions about poverty that shape social services and the role of community-based organizations in low-income neighborhoods. Through her research, she has worked with grassroots organizations and housing justice efforts. Prior to her doctoral program, she worked as a social worker and with community organizing efforts in Detroit. These experiences with case management, human services program design, and grassroots community efforts have influenced her interests in both social work teaching and research.
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