Faculty

Patrick Meehan, MSW 2011, has over five year’s experience evaluating youth programs in Chicago and Detroit, including programs on early language acquisition, health and nutrition, and youth employment. His expertise centers primarily on conceptually mapping evaluation outcomes, developing instruments to test for desired outcomes, and managing and analyzing data.

Aimee Miller, MSW ‘03 is a bilingual licensed social worker with expertise in evaluating and treating a wide range of mental health issues in traditional and non-traditional social work settings. Miller has extensive experience working with survivors of domestic violence, veterans, geriatric and immigrant populations in both clinical and program development roles.

As a social work and health disparities researcher, Jamie Mitchell has extensive experience conducting research on health behaviors and healthcare communication strategies to optimize well-being and longevity for older African Americans, with an emphasis on older African American men. Her peer-reviewed research articles specifically center on older African American men’s preventive health behaviors, cancer and chronic disease communication, co-morbid mental and physical health, and psychosocial and physical well-being.

Meagan Mitchell, MSW ’12, is an experienced social worker and educator with over 13 years in the social work and education field, spanning both direct and indirect practice. Formerly a school social worker, Mitchell now focuses on private practice, specializing in supporting children, teens and young adults. As the founder of Agents of Change, a test preparation and continuing education company, Mitchell is committed to advancing social justice and driving societal change at the micro, mezzo and macro levels through clinical expertise, consultation and an anti-oppressive lens.

Sandra L. Momper has 20 years of mental health experience with American Indian and African American families as well as community organizing experience. Her research aimed to reduce health disparities, provide culturally appropriate interventions for AI/ANs and impact policy changes regarding funding opportunities for physical and mental health and substance abuse treatment for AI/AN youth and families. She was the 2015 recipient of the University of Michigan Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award.

Dr. Sadé Richardson, MSW ’18, is currently the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Public Health Practice at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where she orchestrates experiential learning opportunities and oversees the Public Health Action Support Team and the Future Public Health Leaders Program. She also develops and maintains relationships with community stakeholders domestically and internationally to support Public Health in Action courses.

Rachel Naasko joined the Office of Field Education as a field educator/lecturer/field liaison in March 2016. Naasko previously worked in the University of Michigan Dean of Students Office as the Director of the Blavin Scholars Program and the University’s Critical Incident Coordinator, a position she held since 2008. She was responsible for program development, financial management, donor relations and development, staff training and case management.

Maureen Okasinski, MSW'96, focuses on individual, group and family practice with youth and families, in addition to community organizing, evaluation and administration. Okasinski is currently consulting in program evaluation, program development, grant writing and leading a small nonprofit. She has worked in southeast Michigan with youth and adults for nearly 20 years.

Associate Professor Robert Ortega’s research interests are in the areas of relationship development, group work practice, treatment interventions and service utilization particularly in the areas of mental health and child welfare. Ortega has published on these topics with a special focus on child maltreatment prevention and intervention, child welfare assessment and treatment, diversity and social justice in research and group work practice.