Faculty

Lisa Wexler is a professor of social work and a research professor in the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Institute of Social Research at the University of Michigan. She received her doctoral education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and did her critical ethnographic dissertation while working full time as a tribal community organizer for suicide prevention. There, she developed insights and practical ideas in partnership with Indigenous Elders, community members (including young people) and service providers.

Steve is a licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW), Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), currently serving as the Director of the University of Michigan's online Addictions Certificate Program, in addition to other teaching, training, consultation and private practice endeavors.

Amber Williams, MA, MSW '16, is a doctoral student in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education in the U-M School of Education. Williams' previous work focuses on social justice education through dialogic facilitation, in addition to student leadership development through campus activism, multicultural affairs and service learning. Her most recent work explores innovative academic and co-curricular initiatives that foster student engagement in community organizing and social justice.

Jewel Woods (MA, MSW, LISW-S) serves as the founder and clinical director of Male Behavioral Health & the Center For Men & Boys. A licensed independent social worker with training supervision designation, Woods boasts over two decades of advocacy experience, working with and on behalf of diverse individuals and communities. Noteworthy achievements include his selection as a Ford Foundation New Voices Fellow, participation in the University of Chicago Minority Scholar Program and membership in the Fragile Families Study at Columbia University.

Dr. Xiang’s research is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of older adults, aiming for a state of complete physical, mental and social wellness. Her work spans two primary areas: fundamental social science research and applied intervention research.

Dr. Laura Yakas completed her PhD in anthropology and social work here at the University of Michigan in 2018. Her passion is disability justice and healing-centered pedagogy, and she loves writing articles and book chapters and teaching transformative social work courses. She also enjoys writing and performing musical comedy – because making fun of the world is another way to transform it!

Nari Yoo, PhD, is an assistant professor at the School of Social Work and a scholar in the NIH-funded Michigan Program for Advancing Cultural Transformation (M-PACT). She studies well-being and service use among immigrant and refugee, racial and ethnic minority, and linguistic minority populations, and how digital technology is reshaping access, delivery and implementation of care for these groups.

Professor Yoshihama's research interests are violence against women, immigrants, mental health, and community organizing. Combining research and social action at local, state, national, and international levels over the last 25 years, Dr. Yoshihama focuses on the prevention of gender-based violence and promotion of the safety and wellbeing of marginalized populations and communities. Dr. Yoshihama’s research in both the U.S.

Dr. Brad Zebrack's research and teaching interests are in the areas of health, psychosocial oncology, medical social work and health service delivery. His research on quality of life and cancer survivorship over the past 25 years has been supported by the National Cancer Institute (K07, R03, R01), the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and HopeLab Inc.