Alumni Council

Tawanda L. Hubbard, DSW, MSW, LCSW, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Bloomfield College and her MSW and DSW from the Rutgers School of Social Work (RSSW). She is a Ph.D. candidate in Family Science and Human Development at Montclair State University and an Associate Professor of Professional Practice on faculty at RSSW.

Dr. Hubbard has experience in child welfare, mental and behavioral health, case management, advocacy, and clinical practice and supervision with a small private practice and consulting firm. She is trained in family therapy (Ackerman, Bowen, and Multicultural Intergenerational approaches) and EMDR and is certified in REBT and child sexual abuse therapy. She holds a postmasters in clinical practice with adolescents and social work and spirituality from NYU. Dr. Hubbard was honored in 2023 and 2022 with the Outstanding Clinical Specialization Professor Award at RSSW and the NationalTeaching Leadership Award in Higher Education by JV Educational Consultants in 2021. She is a former president of the NASW-NJ Chapter, CSWE-MFP Doctoral Fellow Alumna, and Family Process Institute New Writers Program Fellow Alumna. Dr. Hubbard is currently serving as a member of the CSWE Minority Fellowship Doctoral Advisory Council, Group for The Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work Advisory Board (GADE), NJ 988 Crisis Line Stakeholder Coalition, NJ Rural Health Advisory Committee, NJ Behavioral Health Integration Advisory Hub, and an active member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

Dr. Hubbard’s scholarship interests and research agenda focus on Black women and families’ mental and relational health and well-being; young Black women aging out of foster care and transitioning successfully into adulthood; dismantling structural inequities and promoting inclusive and transformative leadership and practices in human service organizations; critical, inclusive, transformative, and humanizing pedagogy; and oppositionality and relational neglect in adolescence. She develops curriculum, publishes, and creates and delivers keynotes, webinars, and workshops connected to her scholarship interests and research agenda statewide and nationally. 

Tiffany received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Seton Hall University and her MSW from the Rutgers School of Social Work.  She currently serves as the Senior Department Administrator Supervisor at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.  Additionally, Tiffany is a part-time therapist where she specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. 

Tiffany has worked in the fields of social work and government for over 15 years in a number of roles through the NJ Department of Children & Families, Children’s System of Care, and other departments.  Her passion for being an advocate for children and families affected by mental illness has led to her current involvement with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-NJ) as the Central Jersey Regional Coordinator, and additional volunteer board positions with the Middlesex County Mental Health Board, the Family Support Organization of Union County, and an Ethics Committee member with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NJ).  

Joshua Collins (MSW '18), LCSW, LCADC, CCS, EMDR Certified is a proud Rutgers graduate working as a clinical social worker. He received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rutgers. 

Josh has focused on substance use, mental health, and the treatment of trauma in general. He is passionate not only about learning and helping the people he serves but also about providing support for other social workers in the field. He also actively participates in organizations that provide support to community members affected by addiction and has served as a co-chair on a local NASW unit. Currently, he is employed as a senior primary therapist at an addiction and mental health treatment center. He draws upon over a decade and a half of mediation practice.

Outside of his professional life, he recently became a father. Josh has an enduring love for manga, anime, sci-fi, fantasy, and spending time outdoors. 

Sheri is a warm, attentive, astute, and intuitive licensed psychotherapist with over five years of experience in the mental health arena. As a Brown Latina woman from a South American immigrant family, she is deeply committed to providing psychotherapy in both English and Spanish. Her expertise extends to working with multiple marginalized populations, including those within the Latiné, Asian, and African diasporas. Sheri holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW), both from Rutgers University. She is also a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and holds a NJ Permanent School Social Worker certificate. Currently, Sheri is a Social Worker with the Newark Board of Education, where she collaborates with educators to develop strategies that enhance student success while actively participating in Child Study Team meetings to support special education needs. Her professional journey has included roles such as Associate Director at a shelter for runaway and homeless youth in North Jersey, where she has demonstrated leadership in fostering supportive and inclusive environments. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct lecturer and student field liaison at Rutgers University’s School of Social Work, where she plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding future social workers. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to making her clients feel valued and supported, ensuring that they know she is there to navigate all sacred spaces with them, offering a compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to mental health care.

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 assistant professor and director of the department of sociology and social work 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).  

Erin Capone is the assistant dean of development for NYU Silver School of Social Work, where she is leveraging over 15 years of fundraising experience to increase philanthropic revenue, engage stakeholders, and advance the School's priorities. Erin also serves as a lecturer with Rutgers School of Social Work, teaching Fundraising & Marketing in the MSW program. 

Erin began her career as a children’s social worker after graduating with an MSW from NYU and a BA in Social Work from Rutgers University, and she previously served as director of development for Rutgers School of Social Work, The Andrew Goodman Foundation, and executive director of Overcoming Obstacles. She speaks nationally on the topic of social and emotional learning with youth, with past media appearances on NBC, FOX, and the Solutions Webcast hosted by Clemson University. She is passionate about the intersection of social justice and philanthropy and the important role social workers play within it, which is the focus of her research in the DSW program.

Frank Greenagel, MPAP, LCSW, LCADC, ICADC, CASAC, ACSW, CJC, CCS, is a clinical social worker who specializes in addiction & recovery treatment, PTSD, grief, and finding direction. He is licensed in NJ, NY, and PA.

He is the Director of Clinical Supervision at Prevention Links and oversees the first NJ Recovery High School. He also established and runs the Internship Program at Prevention Links.

Frank has been an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work since 2011. He drives up to Albany, NY, a few times a month in order to serve as the Head Therapist for the NY State Troopers Employee Assistance Program.

Frank ran the Recovery House at both Rutgers New Brunswick and Newark for five years.

Frank served the NJ Governor’s Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse (GCADA) from 2011  to 2022 and was the Chairman of the NJ Heroin & Other Opiates Task Force. He served on the Board of Directors for Hazelden-Betty Ford from 2014 to 2017. He served on the NASW-NJ Board from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, the President of the NJ State Senate appointed Frank to NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council.

His use of profanity, love of sports, occasional frustration with humanity and background as a borderline juvenile delinquent usually make him a hit with our crowd.

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 developing, supporting and retaining resource (foster & adoptive) homes. She is also a Field Instructor for the Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program (BCWEP). Daveen has served a Shop Steward with the Communication Workers of America Local 1037 for over ten years.  

Outside of her professional life, Daveen loves to volunteer and serves in the R.E.A.C.H. ministry and Women's Council at the Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ. 

Issata Oluwadare is a dynamic leader with ten 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.

"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, 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 the state of New Jersey and works in private practice. She has experience working with children, teens, and adults. Shelby also works extensively with both LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse identifying populations. Shelby has recently begun working for Rutgers School of Social Work as a Practicum Liaison.

Shelby is a self-described “geeky therapist” that utilizes pop culture, games, and fandoms within her therapeutic approach. She has spoken at several conventions within the field as well as more general anime conventions where she has highlighted 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 Collection Trauma discussing the use of table-top role-playing games in therapeutic settings. 

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.