Research & College Initiatives

The social work faculty are active on the research and publication fronts. The following is a selective list of recent faculty accomplishments. See their personal faculty pages for more complete listings.

Sophomore Year Expedition (S.Y.E.) 

Professor Suzanne Weaver co-academic leader of Sophomore Year Expedition 

This course is a guaranteed free study abroad experience for all students. This transformative program is funded entirely by the college and donor support. Goals of this course are for the students to develop global awareness; diverse perspective taking; create meaningful multiple world views with connection to other cultures; informed views on ethical, social, and environmental challenges; ability to analyze major global systems and application of knowledge and skills to address global problems. Professor Weaver annually offers a semester long course based on the destination country. In the Global Social Justice course students explore specific human right violations in the destination country. Students are guided through an academic and service-learning experience to broaden their world view, but also learn cultural skill sets. The practical application of knowledge in a real-world view, but also to learn cultural skill sets. The practical application of knowledge in a real-world setting adds a global sensibility of global social justice. Trips have been to Brazil, Greece, Costa Rica, London, Morocco, Rome, and in the future Ireland. Students taking the SYE Global Social Justice have participated in service-learning with refugees, at risk children, homeless and trafficked children.  

ACT 31 Trainer 

Dr. Kathleen Boland is an Act 31 trainer for Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training for mandated reporters.  This is a required training for all licensed professionals.

Selected Publications

Toth. C., Gage, A., Peck, M., & Murray, G. (2022). Research Beliefs and Barriers to Evidence Based Practice Among CF Social Workers. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 21 (S196). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1569-1993(22)01018-9 

Toth, C., LaBarre, H., & Murray, G. (2022). I Feel Robbed:  Students’ Response to Disruptions of Internship Placements Secondary to COVID-19. Journal of Trauma Studies in Education, 1(1), 69-85.  https://doi.org/10.32674/jtse.v1i1.3993

Boland, K. (2022). Practitioners and Safety in the Health Care Field. Approved 3 CEU's Last Minute CE credits. www.lastminuteceus.com  

Boland, K. (2022). Call Me By My Name: Ethics and Civility. NASW PA Monthly Newsletter  

Boland, K. (2021). Social Work and Touch. NASW-PA, Monthly Newsletter - April.  

Boland, K. (2021). Social Networks, Ethics and Boundaries. NASW-PA, Monthly NewsletterMay.  

Boland, K. (2021 ). Professional Boundaries and Gifts. NASW-PA, Monthly Newsletter - June.  

Boland, K. (2021 ). Boundaries for Health Care Professionals. Approved by CEU Credits Last Minute. CE credits. www.last minuteceus.com  

Boland, K. (2020) Ethics and Social Networking Last Minute CEU'S  

Boland, K. (2019) Boundaries for Health Care Providers - Part 1. OnlineCE.com  

Boland, K. (2019) Boundaries for Health Care Providers - Part 2. OnlineCE.com  

Murray, G., Hart, T., Doyle, A., Bohrman, C., & Toth, C. (2019). There is no cure for brain injury: Work-related stress in brain injury rehabilitation professionals. Brain Injury, 33(11), 1442-1448. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1644374. 

Conahan, J., Toth, C., & McKlveen, S. (2018) A community and university collaborative: Responding to the opioid crisis. Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal, 10(1). 

Boland, K. (2017) Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. PDH Academy. www.pdhacademy.com  

Boland, K. (2017) Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Last Minute CEU's. www.lastminuteceus.com 

Toth, C. (2017). “I Can Look So Normal”: Perceptions Among Young Adults Living With CF. Pediatric Pulmonology. Supplement: The 31th Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 2-4, 2017. 51:S47, 143-144.  

Weaver, S. (2017) The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, “Geriatric Community Care Teams: A Workforce Enhancement Partnership”, February 23-26, 2017 

Weaver, S. (2018) 17th International Conference on Ethics Across the Curriculum “Transnational Research Ethics: Imperative for Sustaining Cultural Competency and Global Citizenship”, Clemson University, October 9, 2018 

Weaver, S. (2018) Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference, “A Cross Cultural Analysis of Child Trafficking in Nepal, Liberia and Nicaragua”, Millersville University, Millersville, PA. June 10, 2018 

Selected Presentations

Boland, K (2019) Jewish Family Services - Boundaries and Professional Practice, Allentown, PA

Boland, K (2019) Jewish Family Services – Professional Boundaries and Ethics, Allentown, PA

Boland, K (2019) ACT 31 Mandated Reporter Training - Cedar Crest College

Boland, K (2019) ACT 31 Mandated Reporter Training - Berks County Funeral Homes, West Reading, PA

Boland, K (2019) ACT 31 Child Abuse Recognition-Cedar Crest College Continuing Education for licensed professionals

Boland, K. (2019) Intersection of Social Work and Clergy, Lutheran Pastors of Lehigh Valley, Schnecksville, PA

Boland, K. (2019) NASW Eastern Division CE Marathon – ACT 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting, Northampton County Community College, Bethlehem, PA

Toth, C. & LaBarre, H. (2019). Tales from the Test: Dialogue and Discussion for MSW Students Preparing for Licensure.

Toth, C. (2018) Psychosocial Research Showcase. Symposium Co-Chair. The 32nd Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Toth, C. (2018) Connecting the Dots: Bridging the Gap Between Isolation and Social Connection. CFRI’s 31st National Cystic Fibrosis Family Education Conference, Redwood City, California.

Toth, C., & LaBarre, H. (2018). Drills for Skills: Networking and Self-promotion for New Social Work Professionals.

Toth, C. & LaBarre, H. (2018). Tales from the Test: Dialogue and Discussion for MSW Students Preparing for Licensure.