Faculty

Associate Professor of Social Work, Director of Graduate Studies
Office Phone: 630-844-5793
Email: aarendt@aurora.edu
Areas of expertise: Clinical social work, adult mental health, LGBT+ community needs
Education:
MSW, Aurora University
BA, Northern Illinois University
Favorite thing about AU: "The student-centered atmosphere. On all campuses, in all departments, we are dedicated to creating the best student centered experiences."

Dean of the School of Social Work and Education
Office Phone: 630-947-8933
Email: bbarnwell@aurora.edu
Education:
DSW, Aurora University
MSW, Aurora University
BA, North Central College
AA, Rock Valley College
CADC, Waubonsee Community College
Favorite thing about AU: "I value the diversity of our learners, environments, opinions, experiences, faculty and expressions."
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Associate Professor of Social Work
Office Phone: 630-947-8934
Email: kbrendel@aurora.edu
Education:
PhD, Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
MSW, Aurora University
BA, Psychology, Benedictine University
Favorite thing about AU: "Hearing back from students post-graduation that they have not only met but have exceeded their own expectations."
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Associate Professor of Social Work/Co-Director of Assessment
Office Phone: 630-947-8915
Email: cbruhn@aurora.edu
Education:
PhD, Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
MSW, Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
BA, Biology, Kenyon College
Favorite thing about AU: "The sense of community here and the clear commitment of all members of the community to work together to advance student learning."

MSW Graduate Advisor and Registration Coordinator
Office Phone: 630-844-8931
Email: lcarlson@aurora.edu
Education:
BA, Lewis University
Favorite thing about AU: "The tremendous support from the staff and faculty to students and to each other."
Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coordinator of Addictions and Forensics Specializations
Office Phone: 630-947-8943
Email: ldonavon@aurora.edu
Education:
MSW, George Williams College, Aurora University
BSW, George Williams College, Aurora University
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)
Clinically Certified Juvenile Treatment Specialist (CCJTS)
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professional Board Registration (CODP I)
Favorite thing about AU: "Transforming the lives of those who will in turn transform others' lives."
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Assistant Professor of Social Work/Coordinator Advanced Clinical Social Work
Office Phone: 630-947-8926
Email: cgorman@aurora.edu
Education:
DSW, Aurora University
MSW, Aurora University
BA, History, Northern Illinois University
Favorite thing about AU: "The students! Especially those students who ask lots and lots of questions."

Assistant Professor of Social Work/Coordinator of MSW Health Care and Gerontology Specializations
Office Phone: 630-947-8932
Email: mhapp@aurora.edu
Education:
DSW, Aurora University
Type 73 SSW certification, Aurora University
MSW, Aurora University
BS, Family Services and Child Development, NIU
Favorite thing about AU: "The commitment to excellence, dedication to students, and outreach to the community."
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Assistant Professor of Social Work
Office Phone: 630-947-8902
Email: mjarpe@aurora.edu
Areas of expertise: Human Services Organizations and Management, Youth Homelessness, Child Welfare, Social Policy, Research Methods
Education:
PhD, University of Chicago
MSW, University of Pittsburgh
BA, University of Michigan

School Social Work Coordinator and Licensure Officer
Office Phone: 630-947-8935
Email: ekath@aurora.edu
Areas of expertise: School social work, medical social work
Education:
MSW, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
MAEL, Governors State University
BSW, Western Illinois University

MSW Online Field Coordinator
Office Phone: 630-947-8911
Email: rwiermanski@aurora.edu
Areas of expertise: Substance use disorders, anger management, working with the adolescent population
Education:
MSW, St. Ambrose University
BA in Psychology with a Social Work minor, University of Iowa
LCSW
CADC