Faculty

Assistant Professor of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-6554
Email: acarlson@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Social work practice with youth and families, group facilitation, school social work, nonprofit program management and leadership Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Aurora University Favorite thing about AU: "I value the student-centered and innovative instructional approaches that enable transformative learning experiences for students."

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Coordinator of Addictions and Forensics Track 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." View LinkedIn Profile

Field and Administrative Coordinator Office Phone: 630-844-6893
Email: sperezavila@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Social work practice with youth and families, medical social work, child, adolescent, and adult mental health, and nonprofit mental health program management Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Aurora University Favorite thing about AU: "AU offers a diverse and inclusive community, which creates a welcoming atmosphere and enriches the learning experience for students."

Professor of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-4238
Email: dphelps@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Macro practice areas of human rights, social justice and social policy, group work, social policy and social work practice Education: PhD, Social Service Administration and Social Policy Analysis, University of Illinois
MSW, Youth and Family Counseling, Aurora University
BS, Sociology and Psychology, Northern Illinois University
LCSW, Doctorate Level, Illinois Department of Professional Regulation Favorite thing about AU: "Student-centered learning that moves students from passive receivers of information to active participants in their own discovery process." View LinkedIn Profile

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Chair of Undergraduate Social Work Office Phone: 630-947-8936
Email: aschuck@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Child and adolescent mental health, social policy, social work leadership, community/macro practice Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Evangel University Favorite thing about AU: "Our focus on quality: quality connections with our students, quality education, and quality programming to meet the emerging needs of the social work field."

Assistant Field Director for School of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-6147
Email: msuchomel@aurora.edu Education: MSW, Aurora University
BA, Communication and Spanish, University of Minnesota Duluth Favorite thing about AU: "I love the energy and passion at AU. There is a commitment to excellence and innovation that fosters a love for lifelong learning not only for students, but for faculty and staff as well."

Field Director Office Phone: 630-844-5262
Email: jvanlear@aurora.edu Education: MSW, Aurora University
BSW, Aurora University Favorite thing about AU: "The culture of mutual respect and appreciation that creates a place where one can thrive."

Senior Lecturer of Social Work Office Phone: 630-947-8900
Email: lvargas@aurora.edu Education: Type 73 School Social Work Certification, Aurora University
MSW (Specialization - Children and Families), University of Illinois
BS, Social Work, Sociology minor, Illinois State University Favorite thing about AU: "AU offers so many opportunities for lifelong learning and growth for students and faculty. The opportunities to learn something new every day are endless at AU. That is one of many things I love about AU!"

Lecturer of Social Work Office Phone: 630-844-5242
Email: gvisconti@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Advanced clinical social work; advanced clinical social work with children, youth and families; individual, group, and crisis counseling services for the adolescent/juvenile population; mentorship for first generation college students Education: DSW, Aurora University
LCSW, Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
MSW, ACSW, ACCYF, Aurora University
BA, Psychology, Benedictine University Favorite thing about AU: "AU truly provides a transformative experience through diverse learning opportunities, and through these opportunities, students can pursue their aspirations while becoming the best versions of themselves."