Faculty for Social Work Degree

Annemarie Conlon

Biography

Dr. Annemarie Conlon teaches social work foundation courses. She is a licensed clinical therapist specializing in anxiety-related disorders. Her experience includes working at MD Anderson Cancer Center, providing family-centered counseling to people diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. She has also spent one year as a pre-dissertation intern with Dr. Jimmie Holland at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Annemarie received the American Cancer Society Grant in Clinical Oncology Social Work as a doctoral student and was a Hartford Pre-dissertation Awardee, Cohort III. Before coming to Vermont, she was the social work lead on three federal and foundation grants centering on the interprofessional education of students, faculty, and health care providers who attend to the health care needs of older adults. Annemarie got her start in health care as a graduate intern at Legacy Community Health in Houston, Texas, where she worked with people diagnosed with HIV.

Before entering the health field, Annemarie spent over a decade at American Express in New York City, where she held positions of increasing responsibility. These included the titles of pricing analyst, financial analyst, sr. financial analyst, financial systems lead, and manager of international business development. She worked with a multi-disciplinary team in that position to develop the American Express Card as a franchise in emerging overseas markets.

Distinctions & Awards

Francine Page Excellence in Teaching Award (2023)

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Tarn Foerg

Biography

Tarn Foerg’s identity is as a Social Worker. She holds a BSW, MSW, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Tarn is the Social Work Program Director and Director of Applied Sustainability at Champlain College. This is her 15th year at Champlain College. Her professional practice experience spanned 12 years prior to teaching. Tarn’s clinical practice experience included extensive case-management and clinical support for children, youth and families as a direct service clinician in school social work with The Baird Center for Children and Families.

In addition to her active memberships in BPDonline, CSWE and NASW-VT. Tarn has provided many years of volunteer service including as a Executive Board member of the National Association of Social Workers-VT Chapter, the Nominations Committee of the Baccalaureate Program Directors, as a crisis volunteer for the Women’s Rape Crisis Center, fundraising efforts for the Committee on Temporary Shelter, and as an event coordinator for Lake Champlain Waldorf School. She was a Board president and volunteer for the Women’s Rape Crisis Center, served the older adult population at the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, as community outreach educator regarding access to benefits and services, was co-director of a state-wide Senior Help-line and a quarterly columnist for local papers regarding issues for seniors and those who qualify for disability benefits. She has supervised MSW level interns as a field instructor for the University of Vermont and was a supervisor of School Social Work clinicians working in the largest mental health agency in Vermont. Tarn co-developed the Trauma Response Protocol for children and families to be implemented in crisis events in the largest county in Vermont and was a consultant to a local school district regarding anti-bullying and pro-social skills development for elementary aged children and held teacher in-services regarding implementation. Tarn has served as a Research Fellow for the Center for Community and Social Justice at Champlain College in 2021 exploring Emergency Response Systems for those in mental health crisis. In 2023, she led Research Assistants in her Fellowship focused on Banned Knowledge and Low Barrier Access to Content in Vermont schools.

She has taught Ethics in Human Services, Practicum I and II and the accompanying seminars, Crisis Intervention, Survey of Community Agency, Community Experience, Social Welfare Policy, Sexuality and Human Development. In her service to the college she has held roles in the creation of the College’s Women and Gender Center, on the Student Conduct Review Board, Curriculum Committee, Library and Academic Resources Committee, United Way Fundraising Committee, Service Learning Planning Committee, Learn2Listen/Listen2Learn, Faculty Club advisor for YarnForGood, the Social Work Phi Alpha Honor Society and DREAM. Tarn is also engaged in collaborative work with co-conspirators of NEW (Naming Educational Whiteness a group of colleagues whose guiding philosophy centers our work toward more equitable systems within education broadly, and within our individual disciplines more specifically.

Publications & Abstracts

Exploration of an alternative emergency response system: Vermont

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

Check out the various Social Work Associations to learn more about social work:

• IFSW
• NASW
• NABSW
• Demystifying Social Work: Dr. Geetanjali Ted Talk
• The Danger of A Single Story-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk, Listen to this TedTalk to inspire you too think more deeply about how you see, truly see others as whole beings and how you to want to be seen.
• (divorcing) White Supremacy Culture-Coming Home to Who We Really Are by Tema Okun, Understanding the pervasive systemic behaviors, policies and practices that are imbedded in our institutional settings provides insights to disrupt and make necessary changes to achieve justice.

Favorite Quote

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”

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Sarah George

Biography

Sarah George is the Chittenden County State’s Attorney. She has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Connecticut, a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology from Castleton State College, and a Law Degree from Vermont Law School. For over six years, Sarah was a Deputy State’s Attorney in the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office, and in January 2017, Sarah became the Chittenden County State’s Attorney. Chittenden County houses nearly one third of Vermont’s population, is the most diverse county in the State, and prides themselves on their progressive approach to public safety efforts. Since being State’s Attorney, Sarah has focused on ways to overhaul the criminal legal system by finding innovative ways to serve her community. From significantly reducing the number of cases charged and increasing diversion eligibility, to eliminating cash bail and decreasing supervision and incarcerative sentences, Sarah is dedicated to providing opportunity, intervention and wholistic support to victims, families and folks who commit crimes; holding individuals accountable, and implementing smart strategies and innovations that promote safe, healthy, and strong communities.

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Latoya Hogg

Biography

Latoya S. Hogg holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from Howard University. Her research focuses on the Impostor Phenomenon in Black social work doctoral students attending historically Black colleges and universities. Dr. Hogg received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Tyler and her Master of Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has had accepted presentations at the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Program Meeting, the National Association of Social Worker’s National Conference, the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, and the Network for Social Work and Management Annual Management Conference. Dr. Hogg works as a full-time Analyst at the United States Government Accountability Office. In addition, she also virtually mentors emerging social work undergraduate and graduate students across the country and hosts virtual accountability spaces for doctoral students on the weekend. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member in social work at Howard University and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Distinctions & Awards

Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Inductee, 2023

Favorite Quote

Veni, vidi, vici.

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Sarah Jerger

Biography

Sarah Jerger is a Faculty Instructor of Human-Centered Design and Communication and has been at Champlain College since 2008. To her classroom teaching, she brings a career of hands-on experiential education forging over 100 project-based collaborations between students and industry partners in a studio environment. Jerger is passionate about empowering students to design solutions for positive social impact through “real-world” experiences.

Jerger holds a Master’s degree from Champlain College in Emergent Media. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and two Associate’s degrees in Multimedia & Graphic Design and Public Relations & Media Communications.

Jerger’s previous experience includes communications, operations, graphic design, and media-buying in the advertising, beverage, and real estate industries. She is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for analog making and craft which she explores intertwining with digital means of expression. Her work spans (for now) textile art, digital storytelling, mixed-media collage, video, and wearable electronics. She also operates and curates a Free Little Art Gallery, a community-driven project to make art more accessible and nurture creativity.

What are your hobbies?

Mixed media art, hiking, nature, cooking, taking classes & learning new things, procrastinating folding laundry

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Devil Takes a Holiday, Kate’s Food Truck, Jericho Cafe & Tavern, Spot on the Dock // Palmer Lane Maple for creemees, hikes around Indian Brook Reservoir, South End Art Hop in September, shows at the Monkey House, Vermont Comedy Club, concerts at Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero

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Jennifer Jorgenson

Biography

Jennifer Jorgenson is the Director of the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VT-CWTP). In her role, she serves on statewide workgroups and leadership teams, providing input and recommendations for practice and policy change across the greater child welfare system. In 2017, she was one of the co-developers of the iTIPS curriculum and more recently was an integral part of the final revision of the NCTSN (BPC) Breakthrough Parenting Curriculum: Navigating Trauma Across Generations; in collaboration with both the Vermont team and the Chadwick Center for Children and Families.

Previously, she served as the Co-PD for the treatment and services strand on the ACF Placement Stability Project grant, rolling out screening, assessment, progress monitoring, treatments and services for youth in custody impacted by trauma. In this role, she led the statewide roll out of the RPC+TIPS for caregivers. Prior to her current role, Jennifer served as Director of Treatment Services for a child abuse prevention and treatment agency, an outpatient therapist, a therapeutic residential center therapist and Membership Director for the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence where she oversaw the provision of evidence-based trauma treatments in Kentucky and Ohio. A Licensed Independent and Clinical Social Worker, Jennifer obtained her BSW at Ball State University and her MSW at Indiana University. She is a Certified Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapist and Level 1 trainer, and Certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) therapist and trained in CARE.

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April Mentzer

Biography

April holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2024. She is the Visiting Professor in Social Work at Champlain College. Prior to accepting this position, April worked in the Champlain College Counseling Center providing a variety of services for students including individual therapy, group therapy, health promotion, and assisting with campus wide wellbeing initiatives. April serves as the Clinical Supervisor for PEARLS, a program to reduce depression symptoms in older adults. Before coming to work at Champlain College, April served older adults through her work with the state wide SASH Program (Support and Services at Home), people in Recovery at Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic, and served on various employee wellness committees.

Throughout her social work career, April has explored what people need to be well, bringing a Bio, Psycho, Social, Spiritual lens to her work. April is also a certified yoga instructor and has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than half her life. When April is not working she enjoys walking with friends, traveling, and spending time with her family and their beloved pet chickens.

What are your hobbies?

Walking, spending time with family and friends.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Spending time outside.

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Robin Perlah

Biography

Robin Perlah currently serves as Dean of the Core Division, Creative Studio and School of Social Innovation at Champlain College, where she is also an Associate Professor. In this role, she provides academic leadership across the humanities, social sciences, and creative arts and design disciplines.

During her time at Champlain, Perlah has held several leadership positions, including Chair of the Creative Studio, Program Director for several programs including Graphic Design (BFA), Interaction Design (BS) and Emergent Media (MFA and MS), Academic Director for the Emergent Media Center, and Assistant Dean for the Division of Communications and Creative Media. She has taught a range of courses in the areas of photography, graphic design, design history, image-making, visual design, interaction design, and media theory, serving both undergraduate and graduate students.

Perlah’s art practice is based on a persistent interest in the photographic image, both still and moving, as it is transformed by digitality. Her work deals with the ambiguity of memory, the intersection between image capture (both analog and digital) and the methods of processing and presenting images, and how generative art and data mutations can reveal layers of complexity.

Before working at Champlain College, Robin taught and ran programs in art, design and creative media in K-12 education, and developed several community art programs to support young people through art-mentoring relationships and other activities. She also served as co-director for the Technology & Design Institute at Governor’s Institutes of Vermont. Prior to her work in education, she had a long career as a professional photographer and photo editor, specializing in commercial, portrait, and event photography as well as fine-art printing.

Robin is a site evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), is part of the volunteer board for PechaKucha Night (PKN) Burlington, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Vermont Arts Council board of trustees, which she rejoined in fall 2024. Robin earned a master of fine arts in emergent media from Champlain College, a bachelor of science in art education from the University of Vermont, and studied commercial and fine art photography at the New England School of Photography.

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Kristine Reynolds

Biography

Kristine (Kris) Reynolds (She/Her/Hers) is the Director and Founder of the Vermont Center for Resiliency. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from Colorado State University and has been working in the mental health field for over 18 years.

She has experience in EMDR, CBT, and mindfulness. It was while working with Veterans in Colorado that Kris found her niche working with individuals who had experienced major stressors and trauma. In addition to specialization in working with individuals who have experienced complex trauma, Kris specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders, relationship conflicts, and serves children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

In addition to individual psychotherapy, she facilitates group, couples, family therapy, and provides supervision to clinicians working towards licensure. Kris teaches courses as an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Social Innovation at Champlain College.

Kris is an avid runner and enjoys all things outdoors, and spending time with her family which includes the furry and feathered variety as well as the human.

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

National Association of Social Workers

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Faith Yacubian

Biography

Faith Yacubian, Ed.D. earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2020. She is an Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and teaches in both the SoSI and Core Divisions. She is also the Program Coordinator for the Signature Course Program in SoSI. She is avid scholar of Post-Colonial Theory, Feminist Theories, Queer Theory, and Critical Whiteness Studies. As a academic-activist, she filters her scholarly queries through the insights and stories provided by community-activists and advocacy organizations in Burlington and Winooski.

Distinctions & Awards

Outstanding Dissertation Award ”  University of Vermont, VT 2021

Service-Learning Faculty Award ”  Champlain College, VT 2021

INCLUDE Faculty/Staff Award ”  Champlain College, VT 2018

SGA’s Leadership in Excellence Award ”  Champlain College, VT. 2018

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Administrator Award ”  Champlain College, VT 2009

Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion Ally Award ”  Champlain College, VT 2008

Publications & Abstracts

A Critical Discourse Analysis Of The Professoriate And The Embodiment Of Epistemic Coloniality/whiteness: A Call For A Contemplative Approach To Academic Freedom

Favorite Quote

“If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

—Aboriginal activists group Queensland, 1970s

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