Ponsiano Ngondwe (Pons) is a social work doctoral student at the College of Social Work. Pons’ research interests focus on inclusive education for vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities, especially refugee children. Pons’ other interests include empowering vulnerable populations: refugees, street families, and women in informal settlements. Pons holds an MSW from Boston College and a Master of Arts in Migration Theology from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.

Dr. Gashaye Melaku Tefera is an assistant professor focusing on underserved populations, including women, immigrants, refugees, indigenous people and older adults. His research primarily focuses on healthcare access and disparities in disadvantaged communities and emphasizes decolonization, indigenization and culturally relevant practice. His international social work experiences and perspectives expand across three continents, Africa, Europe and North America. 

Beth Okantey is a doctoral student at Florida State University’s College of Social Work. She is a research assistant with the Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity. Beth has assisted in various projects on aging and cognitive decline in diverse populations. She assisted in survey collection and qualitative interviews focused on the safety risks of those aging with HIV and aging and cognitive decline among aging Latinos, Asians, and Black Americans. She also completed a systematic review of how students gain cultural awareness in social work education.

Tomi Gomory is an associate professor, social work clinician and co-author of “Mad Science: Psychiatric Coercion, Diagnosis, and Drugs,” (2013) a book that closely reviews psychiatry and critiques its efforts to address mental health using a medical model. His research examines the conventionally accepted use of coercion in social services, the impact of the use of force on users of social services and the ethical impacts on helping professions.

Jane Dwyer Lee is a teaching professor and licensed clinical social work teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in-person and online. Her background in clinical social work practice and teaching includes behavioral health, substance use, international social work, gender and women’s studies, cultural studies and criminal justice. 

Neil Abell is a professor and director of International Programs for the college since 2011. He facilitates experiences in international social work for students that include field placements, study abroad and exchange opportunities, and the Alternative Spring Break program. His research and teaching focus on international social work along with HIV/AIDs, social justice, human rights and mindfulness.