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Explore Social Work
Do you want to work with adolescents?  Parents?  People struggling with addictions?  Children?  People living in poverty? Inmates?  People who are mentally ill?  Students?  People with disabilities?  Older adults?  At-Risk youth?
If you feel called to work with any of these groups, Social Work may be the field for you! 
Students who graduate with a degree in social work are able to work with a wide variety of people in many different job settings. If you are interested in learning more about social work call 330-471-8180 to schedule a meeting with a social work faculty member who has interests and experiences similar to your career interests.

 

Featured Student

Lisa Houk returned to school so she could make a difference in others' lives.

Featured Professor

Ken Stoltzfus, Ph.D., takes seriously his calling to live out the Good News.

Featured Alumnus

Aubrey Carpenter '07 believes her career knows no boundaries.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Malone University Social Work Program is to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes in diverse settings, both rural and urban, with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds, ages, and life experiences in the communities where they live. Within this context, Malone’s focus is on encouraging students to develop a worldview that integrates the values and ethics of the social work profession with personal faith. Generalist social work empowers individuals, families, groups, and communities to protect, promote, enhance, and create relationships that foster the profession’s six core values: competency, service, caring relationships, personal uniqueness and worth, social justice and integrity towards the goals of fostering people’s well-being and freedom of choice. (Definition adapted from: Hoffman & Sallee 1994; Reamer 1982.)

Social Work is a people-oriented helping profession dedicated to maximizing coping and minimizing suffering. The Malone University Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (baccalaureate level).

The primary purpose of the major is to prepare students for generalist practice. Upon graduation, students are employable in a wide range of fields of practice. A secondary purpose of the major is to prepare students for graduate education. Because the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, graduates often are placed in advance standing when applying to graduate school.

The State of Ohio requires that persons who provide social work services must be licensed. In order to take the test for Licensed Social Worker, one must have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program. The Malone University social work major meets all state licensing requirements.

  • Ken Stoltzfus
    Associate Professor and Department Chair, Social Work

    330.471.8206
    kstoltzfus@malone.edu
    Brehme Centennial Center 106-F
    • Education
      Ph. D., Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 2009
      • Dissertation title: Daily Hassles, Religious Coping, Depressive Symptomatology, and Alcohol Use in Students at a Religiously-Affiliated College

      M.S.W., Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2000

      B.S. in Secondary Education: Social Sciences, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven, PA, 1994
    • Experience
      2008-Present: Associate Professor of Social Work (with tenure) and Chair of Social Work Department, Malone University

      2003-2008: Assistant Professor of Social Work, Malone College

      2007-2009: Adjunct Instructor, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University

      2003-2005: Family Counseling Program Therapist (part-time), Trillium Family Solutions

      2002-2003: Program Director, Lancaster County Youth Advocate Program, Inc.

      2001-2002: Clinical/Operations Director and Therapist, Naaman Center

      1997-2000: Program Director and Counselor, Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

      1996-1997: Therapeutic Staff Support Worker, Philhaven Hospital

      1994-1996: Coordinator and Youth Worker, Water Street Rescue Mission
    • Philosophy
      My teaching philosophy is based on the work of Parker Palmer and Paulo Freire, both of whom emphasize that education is a communal endeavor in which all participants should have opportunities to teach, as well as to learn. In light of this, I try to facilitate the development of a learning community within the classes I teach. My goal in this endeavor is to create an environment in which my students and I learn together about the subjects that we study.
    • Recent Scholarly Work
      Hoyt-Oliver, J., & Stoltzfus, K. M. (2008, Winter). Current issues in rural social work practice: Concerns faced by baccalaureate programs. BPD Update Online.
      Available at http://bpdupdateonline.org/winter2008/id113.html

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2007). Spiritual Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 26(4), 49-69.

      Cecil, D., & Stoltzfus, K.M. (2007). Comparing Dimensions of Faith and Academic Life Integration at Public and Christian Universities. Social Work and Christianity, 34, 231-243.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2007, February). In the World, But Not of It: Exploring Areas of Tension for Christian Addiction Counselors. Invited presentation at Salvation Army Counselors Conference, Atlanta, GA.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2006). An Elephant in the Sanctuary: Denial and Resistance in Addicted Christians and Their Churches. Social Work and Christianity, 33, 141-163.

      Stoltzfus, K.M., Cecil, D., Chamiec-Case, R., & Steward, K. (2006, October). Faith Integration in Social Workers; Results of an Exploratory Study. Peer-reviewed presentation at North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2006, October). Spirituality and Addiction. Presentation at Stark County Faith Partnership Training Workshop, Canton, OH.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2005, October). The Use of Videoconferencing in Social Work Field Education. Peer-reviewed presentation at North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

      Cecil, D., & Stoltzfus, K.M. (2005, October). Comparing Dimensions of Faith and Academic Life Integration at Public and Christian Universities. Peer-reviewed presentation at North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual
      Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2005, March). Addressing Faith-Based Resistance in Addiction Treatment with Evangelical Christians. Presentation at Addiction and Spirituality: Scientific, Theological, and Clinical Perspectives, a conference sponsored by Indiana State University’s Center for the Study of Health, Religion
      and Spirituality, Terre Haute, IN.

      Stoltzfus, K.M. (2004, October). An Elephant in the Sanctuary: Denial and Resistance in Addicted Christians and Their Churches. Peer-reviewed presentation at North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Conference.
    • Awards
      Fulbright Senior Scholar Lecturing/Research Award, 2009

      Finalist, 2007 Malone College Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching

      J. F. Steinman Fellowship-1998 & 1999-awarded for graduate study in human services
    • Professional Service
      2008-Present: Consultant for Social Work Educators Member Interest Group, North American Association of Christians in Social Work

      2007-Present: Member, Stark County Faith Partners Committee

      2007: Presentation Peer Reviewer for North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Conference

      2004-Present: Board Member, Lighthouse Ministries (Board Chair, 2009).
    • Professional Memberships
      Council on Social Work Education
      National Association of Social Workers
      North American Association of Christians in Social Work
    • Teaching Assignment
      GEN 100: The College Experience
      SWK 345: Social Work Practice Skills I
      SWK 346: Social Work Practice Skills II
      SWK 372: Methods of Social Research
      SWK 440: Senior Field Practicum
      SWK 460: Senior Field Practicum Seminar

      Courses I have taught in the past:
      SWK 220: Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Social Work
      SWK 401: Professional Issues in Social Work
      SWK 103: Populations-At-Risk
    • Certification
      Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervisory Designation (LISW-S), Ohio
      Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC), Ohio
    • Expertise
      Substance Abuse/Addictions
      Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice
      At-risk Youth
      Mental Health
      Urban Poverty
      Criminal Justice

    • About Me
      I am originally from Pennsylvania but moved to Ohio in 2003 in order to teach at Malone. Prior to coming to Ohio, I was employed in administrative and direct practice positions in the fields of addiction treatment and mental health. I currently live in Canton with my wife, Amy, and our two children, Katie and Dylan. Our family attends First Mennonite Church, in Canton. My hobbies include running, camping, and reading.
  • Jane Hoyt-Oliver
    Professor of Social Work

    330-471-8185
    jhoytoliver@malone.edu
    Brehme Centennial Center 106
    • Education
      Pine Manor College, BA, MSW Syracuse University, Ph.D. Case Western Reserve University
    • Experience
      Social worker primarily in hospital, health care and hospice settings.
    • Philosophy
      For the social work, program, I teach the policy sequence for social work, supervise seniors in field placement. I assist students to understand the place of policy and advocacy in the profession. A variety of techniques are utilized to meet this objective including: lectures, small group discussion, policy debate, video, readings and the opportunity for hands- on advocacy on a local and state level.

      In addition, I created the Community Cross Cultural course for the General Education sequence which utilizes small group discussion, community placement and traditional lecture to assist students to broaden their understanding of community at the local level.
    • Recent Scholarly Work
      Publications:
      (in process) “Implementing the University Mission through Service–Learning” Chapter in Cooksey, M, Quick Hits for Service Learning” tentative publication date, fall, 2009
      (2008) Hoyt-Oliver, J. & Stoltzfus, K. “Current Issues in Rural Social Work Practice: Concerns Faced by Baccalaureate Programs” BPD Online Update, Assn. of Baccalaureate Program Directors, ( Winter, 2008)
      (2006) “Being Nice or Being His” in Knott, R. A. College Faith 3:150 Christian Leaders and Educators Share Faith Stories from Their Student Days. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
      (2005) “A Lesson Learned in My Journey of Faith” in Balash, A, (ed.) A Gathered Stillness: Devotional Thoughts from the Malone College Family.
      Presentations:
      9/15/09) “The Supervisor as Manager: Utilizing Ecosystems to Manage in a Bureaucratic World” Community Services of Stark County
      (6/18/09) “Ethics 202: Agency Culture and it’s impact on Practice” Wooster Hospital.
      (3/2/09) “Ethics 202: Agency Culture and it’s impact on Practice” with Stephanie Bradford, LISW, Akron, OH.
      10/ 31/2008: “Ethics 202: Agency Culture and its Impact on Practice” with Stephanie Bradford, LISW, This workshop has been selected by NASW –OHIO to be recorded for home CEU use throughout the state of Ohio.
      10/2007 “Creating and Maintaining an Ethical Agency Culture”: with Stephanie Bradford, LISW Canton, OH.
      5/2007 “Rural Poverty & Domestic Violence: Causes or Consequences?” with Rebecca Cline, ACSW, LISW, Avon Ohio
      10/2006: “Homeless Women in Rural Ohio: Understanding their Lives, Advocating for Social Change” OH- NASW Conference, Columbus, OH
      7/2005: “Homeless Mothers in Rural Ohio Communities: Investigating Issues of Child Custody, and Comparing Demographics to Previous Studies” National Rural Social Workers Annual Convention, Shepherdstown, WV.
      5/2005: “Ethics 101: Basics for Social Workers” with Stephanie Bradford, LISW, Stark State College
      1/2005: “Homeless in Ohio Rural Communities” Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
    • Awards
      2006: Awarded the Malone College Alumni Award for Service to the College and Community.
      2006: Awarded Sabbatical to write dissertation-related articles and to develop a qualitative study of the perception of cultural competence among Trans-racially adopting parents.
      2002: Malone Summer Faculty Development Grant to continue dissertation research.
      2002: Gund Foundation Grant to continue dissertation research.
      2001: Distinguished Faculty Award for Service, Malone College.
      2000: Social Worker of the Year: NASW-Ohio Chapter.
      2000: Social Worker of the Year: Ohio Chapter, Region 8.
      1995: Awarded a mentorship from Case Western Reserve Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences to work with Alice K. Johnson, Ph.D. to develop a course to integrate macro level (community organization, group work) skills into individual practice.
    • Professional Memberships
      NASW- Ohio
      Baccalaureate Program Directors
      North American Assn. of Christians in Social Work
    • Certification
      LISW-S, State of Ohio
    • Expertise
      Medical Social Work: Health Policy
      Transracial Adoption
      Social Work Ethics
      Rural Homelessness
      Rural Social Work
      Older Adults
    • About Me
      Married to Rev. Dr. David M. Oliver, one grown child.
  • Elizabeth Patterson
    Assistant Professor of Social Work, Field Coordinator

    330-471-8626
    epatterson@malone.edu
    Brehme Centennial Center 119
    • Education
      Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work with a minor in Missions, 1998
      Roberts Wesleyan College,; Masters of Social Work, 2001
      Currently Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada School of Social Work, Ph.D. student
    • Experience
      2007-present, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Malone University
      2008-present, Director of Field Education, Malone University
      2006-2008, U.S. liaison for the Veritas Romanian Studies Program
      2001- 2006, Social work educator, Romanian Studies Program
      2001-2006, Veritas Social Programs Director in Sighisoara, Romania
      1999, Social Work volunteer for Church of the Nazarene and Veritas in Sighisoara, Romania
    • Philosophy
      I believe that teaching is a calling, especially at a Christian university like Malone. I believe in facilitating learning in the classroom and outside the classroom in interactive ways, using personal knowledge, experience and wisdom, the scholarship of others along with applied learning and interactive discussion to help equip students as they develop professional and personal knowledge, values and skills to live out their personal calling.
    • Recent Scholarly Work
      Patterson, E. (2004, March). A social work perspective on working with children. Youth With a Mission- Children in Needs Training, Sighisoara, Romania.

      Patterson, E. and Tarrant, D. (2004, October). The challenge of Christian social work practice in developing nations. Workshop at NACSW, National Conference, Reston, VA.

      Tarrant, D. and Patterson, E. (2004, October). International practicum experiences: The Romanian studies program, A model. Workshop at NACSW, National Conference, Reston, VA.

      Patterson, E. (2004). Offering hope in Romania: Efforts to empower through cross-cultural social work: Social Work and Christianity, summer, Vol. 31, 2.

      Patterson, E (2004). Globalization and social work practice in Romania in Tan, Ngoh Tiong, Rolands and Allison (Eds.), Social Work around the World III: Globalization, Social Welfare and Social Work. (pp. 61-94), Aukland, Australia, International Federation of Social Workers.

      Lampen, M. and Patterson, E. (2005, October). A study of the effects of values and economics on the provision of faith based welfare services in post-communist Romania. Workshop at NACSW National Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

      Patterson, E. (2007, October). Offering hope in Romania: Efforts to empower through cross-cultural social work. OH NASW Annual Conference, Columbus, OH.

      Patterson, E. (2007, November) Offering hope in Romania: Efforts to empower through cross-cultural social work. AUDEM International Conference (Alliance of Universities for Democracy), Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

      Patterson, E. (2007, November).The Romanian studies program: Study abroad partnerships in a society in transition at AUDEM (Alliance of Universities for Democracy) International Conference, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

      Patterson, E. (2008, February). Sewing seeds of justice: Cultivating empowering international partnerships. Workshop at the NACSW National Conference, Orlando, FL.

      Patterson, E.(2008, July). International social work and social work education in Romania. Seminar at the NASW OH Summer Retreat, Mohigan Lodge, OH.
    • Professional Service
      International Service Committee, OH National Association of Social Workers
      Veritas Advisory Board
      U.S. Liasion to the Romanian Studies Program
    • Professional Memberships
      National Association of Social Workers
      North American Association of Christians in Social Work
      Council of Social Work Education
      International Federation of Social Workers
      Phi Alpha Honor Society
    • Teaching Assignment
      Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Social Work
      Human Behavior and the Social Environment
      Professional Issues
      Social Work Field Seminar
    • Certification
      LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor)
    • Expertise
      International Social Work
      International Field Education
      Community Organizing
      Church Social Work
    • About Me
      I thoroughly enjoy teaching and coordinating social work field experiences Malone. Before beginning my work at Malone in 2007, I spent several years living and working in Romania, coordinating social services for Veritas, a faith-based NGO and supervising student internships. Romania is still close to my heart and I stay involved as a Veritas advisory board member, by coordinating students’ involvement in the Romanian Studies Program and staying connected with close friends there. I enjoy outdoors activities, art and photography, spending time with friends and family and traveling when I am able. I am working on my PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, spending time there each summer for classes. My research interests are the outcomes of study abroad experiences and international social work and aid and development efforts.

Workshops/Conferences/Seminars:

SWK in the Real World: Monday, 2/22/09 Program Speaker, Lois Weigele, ACSW; Presentation on Drugs, Gambling and other Addictive Behaviors. Brehme Centennial Center Conference Room (BCC)  6:30 pm, 2 Social Work Clock Hours

Hope, Acceptance and Change: Healing in the Treatment of Eating and Anxiety Disorders
February 26, 2010, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Brehme Centennial Center Conference Room; 4 SWK Clock Hours

 Living with Grief Teleconference Cancer and End-of-Life CareWednesday, March 24, 2010, 1:30-4:30 PM, Brehme Centennial Center Conference Room. 3 Social Work Clock Hours

 Community Social Work Job Openings:
(Please click on link for .pdf file)

P.A.L. Mission: Contact at P.A.L. Mission: Jill Miller

Contact Career Development for an extensive list. 


March

24
HFA Teleconference
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Brehme Conference Center
Living with Grief Teleconference: Cancer and End-of-Life Care
3 Social Work Clock Hours

April

2
Easter Break

28
Social Work Senior Banquet
noon
Brehme Conference Center
Banquet for all Seniors and their Field Advisors. Juniors will also have an opportunity to learn about possible field placement opportunities.

May

7
Baccalaureate