Alumni Spotlights
Your 2019-2020 Alumni Committee
"Working to create and promote opportunities for professional development and support, reconnecting social work alumni by developing pathways for engagement such as networking and encouraging participation in charitable events"
Top l-r: Dominique Salido, BSW '15, MSW ' 21, Martha Ekblad, department program coordinator, Cynthia McKinnon, MSW '13, Mary Rawlings, Chair, Department of Social Work, Kaoma Garcia, MSW ' 20, Kim Recinos, MSW '20, Tristan Randall, MSW '18, Patty Floyd, BSW '20, Georgina Pinto, MSW '14, Susie Baker, BSW '13, Guest
Not shown: Katie (Bumstead) Ceron, BSW '12
Dominique Salido, BSW '15 MSW '21
"My Journey to Financial Freedom"
In 2015, I graduated from APU with my Bachelor of Social Work degree. In the years proceeding my graduation, I worked in a variety of social work and non-social work-related settings. I always had an interest in traveling and experiencing cultures outside of my own; however, I was aware I had student loan debt. In the spring of 2017, I yearned to be in control of my finances. I thought, how could I travel when I’m in debt? Who would pay my bills while I traveled? How will I reach my life goals while in debt? These questions led me to feel stagnant and angry, enough so that I began researching how to get out of debt. I watched countless YouTube videos and eventually stumbled across an inspiring pre-recorded speech by Dave Ramsey. I took notes and soon found myself reading one of his books, “The Total Money Makeover” which further inspired me to believe my goal was attainable. In July 2017, my debt journey began when I decided my goal was to be debt-free. Read more.
Julia Thacker, BSW '20
Update from an e-mail to
Professor Amy Tauati, MSW, BSW Program Director
I was hired two months ago as a social worker for the North Texas State Hospital, on the neuro-psychiatric recovery program. I was told I scored higher on the questions they asked than anyone else, and I think because of the education provided by you and the other BSW professors. I have one year to study and pass the test to be a LBSW so I am working on that now.
I am so very thankful for all that you and the other professors did to help me be ready for this job. I currently have a caseload of 15 patients and I have to write notes for about 10-11 of them each week as I do not see them all on a weekly basis. In the two months I have been here, I have had to do three initial notes, social assessments and safety plans! I also meet with the treatment team every day. It makes me appreciate all those group projects you made us do! :) Thank you for your hard work and support that made me ready for this job.
Kim Recinos, MSW '19
Kim is with the Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, working with children and adolescents, who have thoughts of wanting to die, or who have attempted suicide. One day/week in her schedule, she conducts risk assessments for suicide and for homicide, and assists with mental health linkage. She also has a small caseload of clients who have significant mental health and resource needs. These clients are often also involved with other institutions, for example probation or child welfare. Kim works to address the entire client system, helping them integrate into their community, where they can gain support to overcome suicide being their only option.
Sanchez Tith currently works at Seneca Family of Agencies in our Todo Por Mi Familia program. In 2018, she had the opportunity to write a clinical assessment in an ICE detention facility in Adelanto, CA. She used her clinical and assessment writing skills, learned in Human Behavior and Social Environment class to advocate for this client to receive mental health services. This clinical assessment helped support a larger lawsuit that eventually led to awarding their agency a $14.5 million contract by the government to begin providing free mental health services to the families who experienced separation. She transitioned from my clinician role to a program supervisor where she had the opportunity to lean into more macro work. They essentially developed a program that serves about 2,500 families across the nation.
Olsen (left) obtained an internship with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) during his last year at Azusa. He went on to work for Los Angeles County for the next four and a half years before his family and him relocated to Northern California. His experience in child welfare strengthened his client-centered approach, assessment skills but, most of it all, his eyes were opened to a world he never knew existed. A lot of the individuals they end up working with are viewed by their families, society and even themselves, at times, as “the least of these.” The longer he did the work, the more he came to realize we are all a few steps away from tragedy and the importance of healthy coping.
When Randall Trice began the assignment in his MSW class, Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Fiscal Decision Making, taught by Professor Donna Gallup, he was motivated to encourage and lift children in the foster system to become more than they think possible. The assignment…create a non-profit agency from scratch. And now Shoes4Grades has launched….His own journey in the foster care system was the motivation.
Cora Jessup, BSW '16
Cora Jessup (left) is currently a Crisis Co-Responder Clinician who is based out of the local police department in Greeley, CO. The collaboration between North Range Behavioral Health, the police department, and other community agencies is looking toward a different approach to community policing by acknowledging that the majority of emergencies/911 calls have a mental health component. She and a co-worker are embedded within the police department and respond with law enforcement to mental health related calls. This ranges from suicide attempts, folks who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or psychosis, folks with substance abuse diagnoses and other co-occurring medical diagnoses. They help de-escalate folks on scene and assess for appropriate intervention/placement. Often this means accompanying folks to their 24/7 walk-in crisis center instead of the emergency room, where they can assess for placement as needed.
Tania Cendejas, MSW '16
(As a student, recipient of L.A. DCFS Internship Stipend)
Four years since graduating, Tania Cendejas is now employed with DCFS and responding to allegations of child abuse or neglect received by the Child Protection Hotline. A challenging assignment on the best of days, the work is now increasingly delicate with coronavirus concerns and public health guidelines informing every step. But Tania is unshakeable and, in the midst of a global pandemic, she and others have leveled up. Her work is featured in a recent DCFS newsletter.
Tiffany Saucer, MSW ‘13
Tiffany has been hired at the Achievable Foundation in Culver City, where she is heading their mental health department with a specific focus on individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental/behavioral health concerns. The intersection between IDD/MI was the topic of her doctoral dissertation. She received her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at USC last spring.
"Recently, I have been in some work-related surreal opportunities where I’ve jokingly asked myself, 'who am I?' Of course it’s not that I don’t know who I am, but I find it somewhat funny that just one year after graduating… I am sharing my knowledge with more than 250+ professionals and organizations on the topic of delivering a relationship curriculum to the Hispanic community."
Students/Alumni/Faculty gathered for a free networking dinner.
Men’s Networking Dinner, January 2020
Alumnae met to network and hear leadership tips from Yvette Willock, LCSW, Discipline Chief of Social Services, Los Angeles County of Mental Health.
Alumnae in Leadership Luncheon, February 2020
I received four rejection letters when I applied for college. But there was one acceptance letter. To Azusa Pacific University. My safety school. The last on my list. Too close to home, too religious, too 'not prestigious enough.' But I went." Ten years after entering APU, Alyssa reflects on the power of those rejections. As Executive Director of a Colorado non-profit agency, overseeing 13 offices, she is acutely aware that her role has reach and potential impact on the entire state of Colorado.
"As a double minority, an African American woman, I have experienced many of the challenges of trying to establish connections, network with other professionals in the healthcare sector, and
frustrations with being overlooked for training and leadership opportunities.”
Cherie was chosen to participate in Changemakers of Color (COC) in The Network for Social Work Management. The NSWM Changemakers of Color program is a one-year training program that provides one-on-one mentoring, coaching and formal management training for emerging leaders of color in the healthcare field. Cherie reflects on her experience of this past year."
As a supervisor in LA County Department of Children and Family Services, Loceitia shares her passion:
"Being a Supervising Children’s Social Worker at the LA County Department of Children and Family Services is more than just a job. It is my life goal. The Department of Children and Family Services is truly a dfference maker. I want to spend every moment that I am able with my workers."
Denver and Indianapolis Alumni met up with faculty attending the
CSWE and NACSW National Conferences.
Ashley Greenway - MSW '18
Ashley Greenway, MSW ‘18, was hired by Jungle Kids for Christ as the school social worker for Antioch Christian Academy in Misahuallí, Ecuador. She will mainly be working as a school counselor, providing therapy and crisis intervention for the students, performing home visits, and providing psycho-education to students and their families. She will depart for Ecuador sometime in late June, and spend six months in Quito learning Spanish, then move out to the jungle for her two-year commitment to the school. Ashley was a member of the Ecuador International Social Work team, June 2018. Connect with Ashley on her Facebook page.
Men's Networking Event (students and alumni) January 2019
Alumnae in Leadership Luncheon February 2019
I have been in the trauma field since my BSW internship...I’ve fallen in love with it ever since! I am a trauma psychotherapist and have worked with survivors of almost every kind of trauma there is. (Read more)
Photo: Janette with son, Andrew
Janette writes about her journey into the foster care system - twice!
From the Alumni Committee Chair, Helen Nazarian, BSW '09
We had such an amazing time during the 2017 APU Social Work Alumni Reunion. I walked away feeling so honored to be part of the social work profession, and working alongside other alumni who redefine the true meaning of Difference Maker. It was an emotional and reflective night hearing from Matt Touhey, the social worker who started APU Social Work. When I heard the history of the department and its humble beginnings, it inspired the social worker in me in building my own legacy. And I hope those of you who attended the event also felt the same.
My heart for the Social Work Alumni Chapter is to create community, network and opportunities for the our alumni. It was a pure blessing to watch that sense of community being cultivated and a new passion for the profession of social work being ignited. I am hoping to continue building this community through the Chapter. Thank you to the Alumni Committee for working tirelessly, planning this event. Thank you to the speakers who gladly volunteered to share their stories. Special thank you to Matt Touhey for your passion and compassion, and for allowing God to use you and your story. Lastly, thank you for those of you who attended and for being part of this special event.
Note: Helen welcomes alumni to contact her at hnazarian@apu.edu
Photo, l - r, Tanya Cendejas, MSW '16, Matt Touhey, Founder, APU Social Work, Mary Rawlings, Chair, APU Social Work, Helen Nazarian, BSW '09, Chair Alumni Committee
Editor’s note: Rebecca is currently an educationally related mental health therapist for the Azusa Unified School District. She writes below about her first position after graduating from the APU MSW program.
My first position after graduating, I served as Director of Programs for MYTHIRDPLACE, a for-purpose mentorship and discipleship organization for teens in Azusa...
Photo, l-r, Bryan and Aurelio with fellow veteran, Naomi Gomez, MSW 2017 and Dr. Robert Welsh, Dean, APU School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences
An update on three Veteran alumni..
Alumni featured in previous newsletters - 2013-2016
It has been almost two years since I graduated from APU. I remember having all types of mixed feelings. I was happy because I was finally graduating with my MSW. I was scared because I was not sure if I was going to be able to find a job.
Well, here I am! I was formally offered a macro position at Hurtt Family Health Clinic and am the new clinic office manager for our soon-to-be Santa Ana regional location. My capstone project literally became part of my job description and I am able to use all of my acquired social work skills every day in the workplace.
The summer after my freshman year at APU, I found myself sitting on a plane with a fellow APU freshman, headed to Ghana. We thought our APU mission trip had been cancelled, but two days prior, we received a call from the Office of World Missions, asking if we were still interested in going to Ghana.
Shared with permission from a note written to APU social work faculty
Photo, l-r, Alise and friends
After graduation, I commissioned in May of 2013, as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. I joined the Medical Services Corps and did a few months of training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas before going to my first duty station in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
My name is Krystal Settlemoir and I recently earned my MSW degree in social work at Azusa Pacific University. Being a recent grad has its challenges, but I believe my experience at APU is helping me overcome these challenges.
Last summer, I ended my employment with an excellent non-profit agency called Family Care Network, where I was working as an In-Home Counselor, doing behavioral therapy. It was very rewarding to be able to work with high-needs children and their families, and you can rest assured that my BSW degree was definitely being put to work!
I just wanted to provide you with a quick update on my transition into my new position as an inpatient medical hospital social worker. I accepted a job offer as a relief social worker from Stanford University Hospital and moved back to the Bay Area this summer.
Helping people has always been the lens that I have seen the world through. I was that fourth grader who saved her pennies to give to the local homeless shelter.