DSW Student Profiles

Eileen Brito is a bilingual Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Eileen earned her graduate degree in Clinical Social Work in 2000 from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the City College of New York in 1998.

Christine Chapais is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Certified School Social Worker in New Jersey.  Christine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance with a concentration in Classical Voice.  She received her Masters in Social Work from Kean University. Christine’s professional areas of interest include the effects and ethical implications of paternalism in psychiatric hospital settings.

Khalid Godfrey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2012 from Rutgers University, and his Masters in Social Work from Seton Hall University in 2019.  Khalid has worked with at risk teens and youth since graduating in 2012. Khalid has worked in residential setting, partial hospital program, crisis outreach response teams as well as psychiatric community home setting.

Agyaaku Kyei is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey and Ohio. He earned both his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology in 2012 and his Master of Social Work in 2015 from Rutgers University. Agyaaku has extensive experience working with socially and culturally diverse populations in various school, hospital, and outpatient settings with a focus on but not limited to,  trauma, psychotherapy, advocacy, and crisis intervention.

Rachael Miller is a licensed clinical social worker and certified mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) facilitator. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice. Rachael works as a Research Social Worker at the Department of Veteran Affairs, NJ Health Care System. In this role, she develops and delivers targeted, evidence-based treatment programs via telehealth to Veterans throughout the United States.

Dominique is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey. She earned her both her BSW and MSW at Rutgers University—New Brunswick with a certificate in Violence Against Women and Children. During her undergraduate and graduate experiences, Dominique immersed herself in the community, forming valuable connections with her peers/colleagues, bringing awareness to, and supporting vital social justice issues.

Michael A. Pino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction & Drug Counselor (LCADC) in New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College and a Master’s of Social Work from the Rutgers School of Social Work. He also has a Gambling Counselor Training certificate and is working on the Certified Tobacco treatment specialist certification. 

Mayte Garcia was born in Guatemala. Mayte currently serves as a Behavioral Health Officer with the rank of Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard. Mayte is a doctoral student in the DSW program at Rutgers University. Her research is focused on Opioid Use disorders. Mayte is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish, dual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC).

Venessa Samuel-Steinmetz, LCSW is a graduate of Fordham University Graduate School of Social work, where she received her Master of Social work with a clinical concentration. She currently works as a clinical director for a behavioral health agency. Venessa specializes in the treatment of complex trauma and problem sexual behavior in school age children. 

Hema Shamnarine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New York. Hema has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Human Services from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration and emphasis in children, youth, and families from Rutgers University School of Social Work. 

Rachael Shuster is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Social Work in 2011 and Master of Social Work in 2012 from Monmouth University. She has extensive experience providing social support and services in a variety of settings, though is most passionate about medical social work. 

Simone Snyder is a Senior Program Coordinator at the Rutgers School of Social Work’s Center for Research on Ending Violence. In this position she manages the “Enhancing Victim Services Throughout Rutgers University” project. Simone is also a Part-Time Lecturer, Doula and Homebirth Midwifery Assistant. Simone began her journey to social work as a dating violence prevention educator and has also worked as a hospital domestic violence response team coordinator. 

Margarita Baldeo, LCSW is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides therapeutic services in English and Spanish. Margarita graduated from Rutgers University, Livingston campus, in 2005 with a B.A. in Social Work. She continued her education at Rutgers University’s School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ. By acquiring a DSW, Margarita hopes to further her knowledge and contribution to the field of clinical social work. Margarita is excited about joining the DSW class of 2026.

Jeremy Brinsdon, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey. He completed his MSW at Hunter College, where his education centered on clinical practice with a focus on health and mental health. He has attended post-graduate studies at New York University, with certifications in Clinical Approaches to the Addictions, Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice.

Kristin Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Kristin received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Pennsylvania in 2000, and received her Masters in Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California at Berkeley in 2004. Kristin started as a Readjustment Counselor at the Ventnor Vet Center in August 2010 and was promoted to Director in August 2015.

Katherine Epps, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the state of Virginia. She is currently nearing the end of her supervision and is on track to test for her clinical licensure. Katherine earned her MSW at Rutgers University and earned her BA in Communications through the University of Maryland Global Campus

AJ Fresco (they/them) is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. They earned Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and English Literature at Binghamton University, and they are a graduate of the Rutgers - New Brunswick MSW program, where they completed the certificate program in Child and Adolescent Well-Being, and an Area of Emphasis in Gender and Sexuality. AJ is a certified school social worker, and a former high school teacher.

Kayla Hanley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor of Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Saint Peter’s University and her Master of Social Work from Fordham University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. 

Bing Ji is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey and New York. She earned her MSW from Fordham University. Bing started her career as a program coordinator and a psychotherapist, then carried different roles, exploring multiple aspects supporting aging in place. Currently, Bing is a senior director at a community-based organization in Lower Manhattan in New York City, overseeing the agency’s aging portfolio.

Jillian Kane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in gender studies from Mount Holyoke College and obtained her Master of Social Work from Fordham University. She has also received training in dialectical behavior therapy through Behavioral Tech.

Victoria Miller-Butcher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and currently works at Rutgers University as an Assistant Dean of Students. In this role, Victoria works with students, faculty, and campus partners to support students in addressing numerous psychosocial barriers that impacts students’ academic and personal success.

Patricia Palmer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree as a double major in Psychology & Family Science from the University of Maryland in College Park. Patricia then earned her Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Children and Families from Rutgers University.

Dai Phan is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers College and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work. She has worked in the mental health and co-occurring field for over twenty years in various contexts such as victim services, partial care, assertive community treatment, outpatient services and quality improvement.

Simaza Sadek, MSW, LSW (she/her/hers) is a licensed social worker in New Jersey. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s & Gender Studies with a minor in Social Justice from William Paterson University and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University.

Kelly Ann Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Applied Psychology from NYU Steinhardt School and earned two Masters Degrees from Monmouth University, one in Social Work and one in Public Policy.

Lauren Abdill, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey and New York. She is the owner of Daylight Counseling Services, a private practice where she supports women and birthing people through perinatal grief and trauma. She practices from a feminist theoretical orientation and primarily utilizes EMDR in her clinical work with clients.

Rachel Dietrich is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia, Colorado, and Virginia. She currently serves as the Embedded Clinician at the American University Washington College of Law, where she provides consultation, short-term individual therapy, and group therapy for law students. Rachel has several years of experience as an individual and group therapist in a variety of outpatient treatment settings including private clinics, community clinics, and college health centers.

Shannon Hughes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. After studying abroad, Shannon returned home to New Jersey and completed a B.A in Psychology and a B.S.W at Kean University. She then went on to earn her M.S.W at Fordham University. Shannon has worked with mental health and co-occurring populations since graduating. When she is not working with clients or supervisees, Shannon enjoys going to concerts, spending time with her dogs and walking on the boardwalk with her partner, Sean.

Lauren Jefferson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey. Lauren earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in English from Rutgers University. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work from Fordham University with a clinical concentration. Lauren currently has a private practice in Princeton, NJ and owns, L Consultancy LLC. 

Angela Konin is a New Jersey Licensed Social Worker who received her MSW from Rutgers University in 2022. She works as an associate clinician and ASD evaluator at the Princeton Center for MindBody Healing, where she also completed her advanced-level field practicum. Angela’s first Master’s degree is in Museum Education and she has significant experience working with people of all ages as an educator in museums and other non-school settings.

Brittany Rahn is a dual-licensed clinician in the state of New Jersey, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She began her career in the field of non-profit substance abuse, working with marginalized populations involved in the criminal justice system. She gained extensive experience in facilitating groups while working towards fulfilling her clinical hours.

Nyla Rock-Vanloo, LCSW is a trauma-informed psychotherapist and Organizational Development leader working within the New York non-profit sector and in private practice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College of CUNY. 

Kaleena Rogers is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in New Jersey with a B.A. in Social Work from the Rutgers School of Arts & Sciences Newark Department of Social Work and an MSW from the Rutgers School of Social Work, specializing in mental health. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Practicum Education at the Rutgers School of Arts & Sciences Newark Department of Social Work, where she expertly bridges social work theory with practical application for students.

Nicole Terry is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey. She received her MSW from Seton Hall University. Her clinical experience encompasses both inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient care. Nicole’s experience spans from engaging with populations from clients struggling with addictions to high-risk acuity. Presently she divides her time between outpatient private practice as well as a partial hospital health care system.

Alexandra Vineque is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of New Jersey. She has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Master's in Social Work with a clinical concentration from Fordham University. Alexandra currently works as an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Counselor at Rutgers University's School of Arts and Sciences. In this capacity, Alexandra provides personal, career, and financial advice to EOF students from financially and educationally disadvantaged communities.

Erin is a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with minors in History and Elementary Education from West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Policy and Management from Rutgers University. Erin currently works as a Senior Program Coordinator for the College Support Program (CSP) at the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services supporting Rutgers students with autism.