Faculty

Katrina R. Ellis is an associate professor at the School of Social Work. Her research interests include family health interventions, cancer survivorship, racial and ethnic disparities in health, and family management of chronic health conditions. An overarching goal of her research is to support the health of families facing multiple, coexisting illnesses, with a specific focus on African Americans. Dr. Ellis employs a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in her work with families, clinicians and community groups.

Marion Elizabeth Blue Endowed Professor Emerita of Children and Families in the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan; Director, Family Assessment Clinic

Dr. Lisa Fedina (she/her) is an associate professor at the School of Social Work. Her research investigates the connections between forms of violence across the lifespan (e.g., child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, sexual assault), health and mental health outcomes. Her current studies examine risk and protective factors for campus sexual assault and profiles of victimization and suicide risk among emerging adults.

Beth earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and is an alumna of the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where she serves as the Assistant Director of Student Services and a LEO Lecturer. A resourceful and organized Licensed Social Worker, she brings extensive experience in student support, administrative leadership, and social work pedagogy. In addition to her roles at Michigan, she teaches at Washtenaw Community College, empowering students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers.

Phillip Fellin joined the Michigan faculty as associate professor and director of the Office of Field Eduation in 1965. Six years later he was appointed dean of the school, serving in this position from 1971 to 1981. After his deanship, Fellin continued on the faculty as professor of social work until his retirement in 1999, when he was named professor emeritus and dean emeritus.

Daniel Fischer is a Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of Social Work, and served as the Assistant Dean and Director of Field Education at the University of Michigan School of Social Work between 2017 and 2023. He also held an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Dan completed his BA is psychology in 1983 and his MSW in 1984 both at the University of Michigan. He began at the University of Michigan in 1989, working as a clinical social worker, researcher, teacher and healthcare administrator.

Dr. John Freer is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the STEP Lab at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. In this role, he leads research focused on advancing disability justice, accessibility,and inclusion for employees (including faculty and staff) across U-M. His work employs participatory and community-engaged approaches that center the expertise and lived experiences of individuals with disabilities throughout the campus community.

Dr. Terri Friedline writes, organizes, and teaches about racial capitalism, technology and the financial system. She is a professor of social work at the University of Michigan and is the author of “Banking on a Revolution: Why Financial Technology Won’t Save a Broken System” (Oxford University Press). Friedline’s writing draws on critical theories and is inspired by abolitionist politics. Her recent writings focus on debt as racialized and gendered violence, credit scoring as a carceral practice and financial technology (“fintech”) as invasive infrastructure.