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One focus of our MSW program is relationship-building. This begins with the application process and extends through graduation. For more information on UW-Green Bay’s Master of Social Work program, how to get started, or any other needs, please contact us.
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
They're not only dedicated teachers but also award-wining internationally noted researchers.
Dr. Akakpo's teaching experience varies from teaching undergraduate courses in public relations and business ethics to master's level social work courses in settings from a small, private university to a large, public university. He is well-versed, with a full range of educational courses in public and social welfare policy as well as social work practice. His work experience is in the... Read more »
Dr. Baerwolf joined the social work faculty in fall 2023. Dr. Baerwolf completed their doctorate in social work (DSW) at the University of St. Thomas in spring 2023.Their dissertation is titled LGBTQ Youth Experiences of Home Confinement During the COVID-19 Pandemic. For two years, Angela was a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. Angela has... Read more »
Sara Greenwood
MSW Program Field Coordinator & Teaching Assistant ProfessorRH320F
(920) 465-2395
greenwos@uwgb.edu
Sara Greenwood joined the UW-Green Bay social work faculty in summer 2020 as Lecturer and MSW Field Coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a BA in psychology and earned her MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work with concentrations in interpersonal practice and management of human services. Sara currently holds a LMSW- Clinical and Macro practice... Read more »
Joan Groessl
Professor & Director, Social Work Professional ProgramsRH 320N
(920) 465-5011
groesslj@uwgb.edu
Dr. Groessl serves students primarily in the graduate social work program. Her social work practice experience included twenty years in county mental health services, supervision, and administration. She has serves as consultant and provides a range of trainings for human services professionals.
Joan currently serves as chair of the Continuing Education Committee and is a former... Read more »
Dr. Higgins is an Associate Professor of Social Work at UW-Green Bay. She received a PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Kansas, an MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BSW from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Dr. Higgins’ retired from the Social Work Department in 2020 and was granted emeritus status the following year. She continues... Read more »
Emily Jahnke joined the UW Green Bay Social Work faculty in August of 2022. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay with a BSW in 2008, and is beyond excited to be back working in the program that made her into the professional she is today. She went on to get her MSW from UW Milwaukee, and graduated in 2011. There she took the specialized School Social Work track and has been... Read more »
Heather Lawrence
Child Welfare Coordinator & Teaching Assistant ProfessorRH 320F
(920) 465-2346
lawrench@uwgb.edu
Heather Lawrence joined the UW-Green Bay social work faculty in summer 2019 as a Lecturer and Child Welfare Coordinator. Heather is a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay alumni, earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Social Work Professional Programs.
Previously, Heather worked in public child welfare, holding positions in both... Read more »
Stephanie Rhee is assistant professor of Social Work and teaches graduate social work courses. Her research interests include gerontology, immigrant acculturation on Korean immigrant elders, and social work education. She completed her Ph. D. in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky in 2013. Her dissertation title is... Read more »Read more »
Jennifer Schanen-Materi
BSW Field Coordinator & Teaching Associate ProfessorRH 320
(920) 465-2867
schanenj@uwgb.edu
Jen Schanen joined the social work faculty in the fall of 2015 as BSW field coordinator and lecturer. Jen is an APSW (Advanced Practice Social Worker-Wisconsin), and received both her Masters and Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Previously, Jen worked at a grassroots nonprofit, serving primarily Native American children and families.... Read more »
Justine Terzinski is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience in both case management and clinical mental health therapy. She also has a strong professional background in substance use treatment as well as working closely with community resources and grant funded opportunities. She began her journey with UWGB as an Assistant Teaching Professor during the summer of 2022 and will be... Read more »
Gail has over twenty years of direct practice experience in various medical social work settings including public health, long term care, acute care crisis intervention, and hospice. Gail's background includes direct practice, administration, and supervision in each of those settings. Gail's areas of expertise include older adults, end-of-life, grief and loss, ethics and boundaries, and... Read more »