Alumni Council

Tawanda L. Hubbard, PhD, DSW, MSW, LCSW, our current School of Social Work Alumni Council President, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Bloomfield College, her MSW and DSW from the Rutgers School of Social Work (SSW), and her Ph.D. in Family Science and Human Development at Montclair State University.

Dr. Tawanda Hubbard is a critical social work practitioner-scholar and educator. She is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Rutgers School of Social Work and a New Jersey licensed clinical social worker, with over 20 years of experience in child welfare, mental and behavioral health, clinical practice, advocacy, and teaching, which informs her scholarship. She is trained in family therapy and EMDR and is certified in REBT, child sexual abuse therapy, and clinical social work supervision. She holds a postmasters in clinical practice with adolescents, social work, and spirituality. Dr. Hubbard owns a private practice and consulting firm. She was honored in 2025 with the Rutgers SSW Outstanding Professor of Excellence in IIDEA Teaching award and the NABSW NJ chapter Excellence in Social Work Education Award. She serves on various national and statewide councils, committees, and boards. She is a past president of the National Association of Social Workers, NJ Chapter. Dr. Hubbard is also the co-chair of the Society for the Study of Human Development Diversity Science Initiatives committee.

As a critical social work practitioner-scholar, Dr. Hubbard has three primary areas of scholarship: liberatory pedagogy; adolescence and developmental justice, with a particular focus on oppositionality in adolescence and young Black women transitioning into adulthood in foster care; and trauma and violence-informed family and child welfare practice. Her scholarship is disseminated through teaching, presentations, publications, and clinical practice.

Dr. Hubbard brings a liberatory, trauma- and violence-informed clinical perspective to her work at the intersection of family science, child welfare, and social work education and practice. Centering dignity, belonging, culture, and healing for families and communities impacted by structural trauma, she challenges deficit narratives through a developmental and social justice lens. By bridging research, teaching, and practice through a social justice and culturally affirming lens, she prepares social workers and allied professionals to move from awareness to accountable, humanizing action; engage individuals and communities with compassion, critical consciousness, and courage; and practice and lead ethically and critically within complex systems.

In her free time, she enjoys walking outdoors, spending time in nature, stargazing, reading, journaling, spending time with family and friends, spending time with her dogs, Nala and Aria, traveling, catching up on her favorite TV shows, and resting and relaxing.

dr.tawandahubbard@gmail.com or thubbard@ssw.rutgers.edu

Tiffany L. Mayers, DSW, MSW, LCSW earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Seton Hall University, her MSW from the Rutgers School of Social Work, and her DSW from the University of Kentucky. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters. Additionally, Dr. Mayers is a part-time mental health clinician with expertise in child welfare and behavioral and mental health services, specializing in clinical work with children, adolescents, and young adults.

Dr. Mayers has more than twenty years of experience in the fields of psychology, social work, and government, in addition to over ten years of experience in higher education administration. Her passion for advocating for children and families affected by mental illness has guided her research, which focuses on ending mental health stigma, addressing systemic barriers that have historically prevented Black communities from seeking mental health services, and developing empowering, feminist-based programs that increase the utilization of mental health services for children and families within Black and Latino communities.

Dr. Mayers has been an active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI NJ) since 2008 and recently concluded her role as the AACT NOW Central Regional Coordinator. She has also served in volunteer leadership positions with the Middlesex County Mental Health Board and as both an Ethics Committee member and former Secretary for NASW NJ. She currently serves as Vice President of the Family Support Organization of Union County and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

clinicaltiffany@gmail.com

Joshua Collins (MSW '18), LCSW, LCADC, CCS, EMDR Certified is a proud Rutgers graduate working as a clinical social worker. He is passionate about learning and helping the people he serves. His “origin story” was deeply shaped by his own lived experience of intergenerational addiction, experiencing the shame of stigma, and being a caretaker for his grandma for the rest of her life following the death of his mother. Following a decade of being a barista at Starbucks and delving into meditation at silent retreats, he was able to get past his fear and return to school. Currently, he is in private practice while working part-time at a Buddhist-inspired recovery center in Princeton. He recently became a father. He has a love of comics, animation, fandom, and spending time outdoors.

joshcollinsnj@gmail.com

Sheribel (Sheri) Aguilar is a proud alumna of Rutgers University, holding both a Master of Social Work (2020) and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (2013). As a bilingual licensed social worker and certified school social worker, Sheri has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive learning environments and advancing cultural competence in educational and social work settings.

Currently, Sheri serves as a social worker for a public school district, where she collaborates with educators and families to support students' academic and social-emotional growth through individualized education programs. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the Rutgers School of Social Work, where she mentors undergraduate students and teaches courses that emphasize social justice and culturally informed practices.

Sheri’s leadership experience includes her role as Associate Director at a shelter for homeless youth, where she developed parenting education and life skills programs for schools and communities while advocating for staff well-being through innovative policy changes. Her work at Rutgers as an Academic Coordinator further highlights her expertise in academic program management, faculty support, and online learning systems.

Passionate about community engagement, Sheri is an active member of the Rutgers School of Social Work Alumni Council and has previously contributed as a field liaison, ensuring meaningful practicum experiences for social work students. Her professional journey reflects her commitment to social justice, equity, and the empowerment of individuals and communities.

In her spare time, Sheri enjoys reading books, watching anime, listening to music, and practicing self-care.

saguilarmsw@gmail.com

After receiving a Bachelor's in Psychology from Bucknell University, Dawn began at Rutgers first as an MSW and later as a Ph.D. candidate.

Today, Dawn is an associate professor and BSW program director in the Department of Social Work and Public Administration at Seton Hall University.

Prior to her work at SHU, Dawn served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services in September 2010. This Department has more than one-third of the State workforce with 15,000 employees and a budget of more than $11 billion. In this role, she oversaw the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), and the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH).

dawn.apgar@gmail.com

Erin Capone makes chaos understandable, translating complex social issues into actionable philanthropic priorities. She is the senior executive director of development for health sciences and public service at New York University. Erin is also a published researcher who applies justice theory to frontline fundraising while humbly documenting the relationship between communities and philanthropists. 

With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, Erin is passionate about philanthropy as a driver of social justice and speaks nationally on this topic and serves as a lecturer with Rutgers School of Social Work, teaching Fundraising & Marketing in the MSW program. 

Erin earned her MSW from NYU and her BASW and DSW from Rutgers University. She previously served as director of development for Rutgers School of Social Work, The Andrew Goodman Foundation, and executive director of Overcoming Obstacles. 

capone.erin@gmail.com

Frank Greenagel, MPAP, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, is a clinical social worker and Rutgers alumnus specializing in addiction, trauma, suicide and recovery. He is licensed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

He is the Clinical Director of Tidal Shift, an outpatient treatment program in New Jersey, and serves as a consulting therapist for the New York State Troopers Employee Assistance Program. His work includes high-stakes mental health and substance use evaluations for courts, attorneys and public-safety agencies.

Frank has been an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work since 2011, where he was named Most Outstanding Lecturer in 2024. Teaching is the central through-line of his work and informs his clinical practice, supervision and training.

He holds a Master’s in Public Affairs and Politics and has been active in policy and advisory roles across New Jersey. He served for over a decade on the Governor’s Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and chaired the Heroin and Other Opiates Task Force. He currently serves on the Rutgers Alumni Association Board and the School of Social Work Alumni Council.

Frank previously led recovery housing initiatives at Rutgers and held senior leadership roles at Prevention Links. He also served in the United States Army, working with service members experiencing trauma and substance misuse.

flg2@aol.com

Daveen received her Bachelor's in Sociology from Livingston College and her MSW in 2009. She was invited to be a part of a first cohort of the Public Child Welfare Intensive Weekend program that was established in 2006. This was a new collaboration between the Department of Children and Families and Rutgers University designed to enable public child welfare professionals to pursue their MSW while continuing to work. 

Currently, Daveen is a Supervisor at the Division of Child Protection and Permanency and supervises an unit charged with assuring the protection of vulnerable children and families from abuse and neglect, provides guidance to staff to strengthen, stabilize, and preserve families and identify appropriate intervention and/ or services to meet the needs of the family  with a focus on ensuring the safety, well-being, permanency and stability for each child.   She is also a Field Instructor for the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program (BCWEP). Daveen serves as a Shop Steward and Executive Board Member  with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1037. 

Outside of her professional life, Daveen loves to volunteer and travel. She is a Girlz vs. World volunteer through a community based non-profit, Sharpened Mindz LLC. Daveen is also a founding Board member of the Imperfectly Perfect Homes LLC. She serves in the R.E.A.C.H. ministry and Women's Council (J.U.G.) at the Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ.

Daveen.Mann@dcf.nj.gov

Issata Oluwadare is a dynamic leader with over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education. She is also a content creator, bestselling author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, certified life coach, minister, and consultant for women in leadership and business. She has a passion for mobilizing historically marginalized communities through speaking engagements, leadership workshops, professional development opportunities, and conferences.

As a wife and mother of two, Issata writes about infant loss and special needs parenting, supporting local organizations through her family’s organization, Manny’s Village. She uses her family's journey to encourage others to hope through a children's book named "Mighty Manny," which debuted at number #1 and made the bestsellers list on Amazon. The book has been featured on Yahoo, Blacknews.com, Fox, and CBS.
 
Issata believes in role modeling imperfect, authentic leadership. As the founder of The EZ Breezy Life, she supports a network of women spanning 50+ countries. She is also the host of "The EZ Breezy Life with Issata O." a Goodpods “Top 100” podcast in Christianity and spirituality, dedicated to highlighting the experiences of everyday women striving for healthy, well-balanced lives and relationships.
 
As the Principal of Issata O. Inc., Issata provides consulting and coaching to support nonprofit leaders and business owners through speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, and brand consultation. Since its inception in 2019, Issata O. Inc. has engaged in over 40 invited presentations focused on leadership, business basics, and women's issues. They have hosted over 50 women empowerment and development events, engaging over 4500+ participants worldwide through their Small Business Saturday series and reaching women in over 80 institutions of higher education. She has supported high-powered clients in launching their business ideas, books, and brands.
 
Issata is pursuing her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, holds a certificate in Women's Leadership from Yale School of Management, and a certificate in Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Northwestern University. When she is not working, Issata enjoys a quiet and peaceful life with her partner, two children, and a large extended family.

issata.oluwadare@gmail.com

"Smiddie" has worked as an attorney at the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) since 2011. He holds a J.D. and Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University. In his work, he enforces the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

One focus of this work has been on the use of solitary confinement in jails and prisons, especially as it relates to prisoners with mental illness. Another focus has been ensuring that persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are getting the services they need in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. He currently leads two Consent Decrees – one with the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth, Va and one with the Commonwealth of Virginia focusing on persons with developmental disabilities. He is also the lead attorney investigating the Massachusetts Department of Corrections’ use of solitary confinement. 

Before joining the Civil Rights Division, he worked on issues regarding prisoner re-entry, affordable housing, adequate education, and foster children.  He was raised on a 40-acre farm in rural Ohio.  

Shelby Somers (MSW’21), LCSW, received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Georgia Southern University and her master’s in social work from Rutgers University. Shelby is a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey who works in a private practice. She has experience working with children, teens, and adults. Shelby also works extensively with both LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse identifying populations. Shelby has also recently begun working for the Rutgers School of Social Work as a Practicum Liaison.

Shelby is a self-described “geeky therapist” who utilizes pop culture, games, and fandoms within her therapeutic approach. She has spoken at several conventions within the field and at more general anime conventions, highlighting the connections between fandoms, identity, and their use in therapeutic settings. Shelby has also co-authored a chapter in Trauma Impacts: The Repercussions of Individual and Collective Trauma, which discusses the use of table-top role-playing games in therapeutic settings.

In her free time, Shelby can often be found reading, playing video games, or catching up on her latest anime obsession.

Shelbysomers1@gmail.com

Susan is the President of Susan Van Vleet Consultants® Inc and V Squared Consulting. She has created and led training programs with multinational companies in 19 countries spanning 4 continents. Her company has 30+ copyrighted courses and 2 Trademarks. 

Susan began her career in Social Work as a caseworker for the Division of Youth and Family Services for the State of NJ. After graduating from Rutgers with her MSW in Administration she became the Director of Government Relations for Effectiveness Training , Inc an International Educational Corporation. She has served as an adjunct Professor at The University of Phoenix and developed a Grant Writing Curriculum for University of the Redlands in California. 

She is the author of 2 books and numerous articles on diversity and change management. She is married to John Van Vleet who is a VP at her company. They have 2 grown sons and 2 Grandchildren.