I am currently enrolled in Temple University Harrisburg’s MSW program with an expected graduation date of May 2012.  I have chosen the Management and Planning track as my advanced year concentration, and am currently a Graduate Fellow at Temple University Nonprofit Evaluation Services and Training Center (NEST).  My attraction to Temple NEST is rooted in the belief that research and evaluation lends both credibility and validity to the field of Social Work.  My primary interest of study is the investigation of the human-animal bond with the hope of applying the knowledge I continue to acquire in the areas of addiction, criminal reentry, domestic violence and social network analysis.  

I made the decision to enroll in the School of Social Work at Temple University with a plan to obtain my MSW and immediately begin counseling individuals with addictions.  In my first semester I studied Social Policy under Ronald Costen, Ph.D., Esq., and all of the positive experiences from my undergraduate years obtaining my Bachelor's degree in Political Science flooded my memory.  I quickly realized that I could be more effective in combating social injustices if I focused my attention on the macro level.  In my second year, I was fortunate enough to take Research Methods with David Zanis, Ph.D.  Dr. Zanis awakened a love of research in me that I never knew existed.  It was under his instruction that I recognized quality research is the key to transforming Social Work as a profession.  It is tragic that Dr. Zanis left this Earth much too abruptly.  Last year, during my internship with Temple's Institute on Older Adult Protective Services, Professor Chris Dubble, MSW, ABD helped me to sharpen my articulation skills.  He encouraged me to ask questions, challenged me when I expressed my beliefs, and ensured that I maintained an unbiased and unprejudiced perspective. Now, in my final year at Temple, Barry Nazar, DPA has graciously awarded me the opportunity to work at NEST.  Dr. Nazar continues to keep me focused by patiently entertaining my ideas without extinguishing my underlying passion.              
    
Prior to enrolling with Temple, I built a diverse career in the private sector, which included experience in international logistics, management, manufacturing and the staffing industry.  I am an absolute hockey fanatic, and my NHL team of choice is the Pittsburgh Penguins.  I bleed black and gold.  Another one of my creative outlets is cooking, and I have been known to invite complete strangers and their families to my annual Thanksgiving celebration.    

In the future, I aspire to couple the lessons that I have learned in my employment, with the formal education I am attaining.  My goal is to create my own nonprofit organization geared toward building relationships between humans and animals in such a way that both species will benefit.       

Go to sub page on Human-Animal Bond

Visit my sub page displaying my recent works and projects