Director
Marsiglia’s research on cultural diversity and youth substance use is highly influential in the prevention field, and credited with a measurable reduction in drug use and other high-risk behaviors by youth.
Williams' research focuses on K-12 academic performance, youth violence, delinquency prevention, adolescent substance use, race and gender differences, and mental health service needs in urban schools.
Dean Lietz conducts research that informs strengths-based practice with youth and their families. She has also served in a variety of college administrative roles, most recently as interim dean of Watts College.
Ashford directs the Office of Offender Diversion and Sentencing Solutions and the Office of Forensic Social Work Research and Training.
Ferguson's research focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of vocational interventions for homeless and disconnected youth that integrate employment and clinical services.
Hodge is an internationally recognized scholar on the topic of spirituality, religion and culture.
LeCroy's areas of expertise include home visitation, evaluation of social work interventions, and child and adolescent treatment.
Lightfoot focuses her research in the area of disability policy and services and the intersections of disability with child welfare, aging, abuse and health.
Martinez-Brawley areas of interest: rural communities and rural services, research paradigms, social work education, innovative models of service delivery in public organizations and diversity issues in service delivery.
Messing's interest areas are intimate partner violence, risk assessment, domestic homicide and femicide, criminal justice-social service collaborations and evidence-based practice.