Faculty
Mark Abelson, MFA, MSW
Lecturer, Department of Social Work
Lecturer, Department of Sociology
SWRK 525: Social Welfare Policy and Services
SWRK 621: Advance Social Work Practice in Urban Communities
Abelson earned his Master of Fine Arts and Master of Social Work from UCLA and has extensive experience in policy and practice in the field. He is a human relations consultant specializing in designing, implementing and evaluating programs related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Before CSUN, he worked for the Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) as training director. GLASS provided long-term residential treatment, case management, family reunification and emancipation services to self-identified LGBTQ+ youth. He also worked at United Way of Los Angeles addressing the issues and needs of children, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and people affected by HIV/AIDS; and as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In addition, he served as the coordinator of a legal advocacy effort for General Relief recipients in Los Angeles County. Community volunteerism is extremely important to him. His involvement includes the County of Los Angeles LGBT Child Abuse Prevention Council, Los Angeles Police Department Professional Advisory Committee, and LAUSD Human Relations, Diversity & Equity Commission.
Understanding policy is extremely important for social workers since policy informs, guides and even mandates the practice with clients, communities and the system involved with by social workers. Policies created – most often through political systems – impact clients on a daily basis and often create challenges/obstacles that social workers must help clients manage/navigate. In order to promote and advocate for social justice on behalf of clients, social workers must be aware of the macro policies that oppress, marginalize and harm those whom social workers help.
Jodi Constantine Brown, Ph.D., MSW
Professor, Department of Social Work
SWRK 535: Social Work Research Methods I
SWRK 635: Social Work Research Methods II
SWRK 698: Capstone Project
Constantine Brown has extensive education and experience in social work, particularly in research methods. In addition to her Ph.D. in social work earned at Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, she completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in mental health economics at the Department of Healthcare Policy, Harvard Medical School. She has presented locally, nationally and internationally on research and other social work topics, including mindfulness, compassion fatigue, program evaluation and alcoholism. Her teaching and research include program evaluation, pedagogy, integrative medicine, mental health care policy, organizational networks and access to care. She also has published articles in journals on a variety of social work topics. She joined the CSUN faculty in 2011 and believes understanding research is critical to support and advocate for individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Moshoula Capous-Desyllas, Ph.D., MSW
Professor, Department of Sociology
SWRK 520: Social Work Practice in Multicultural Contexts
Capous-Desyllas focuses on arts-based research methodologies to highlight the voices and needs of marginalized individuals, groups and communities. She earned a Ph.D. in social work and social research from Portland State University, and has she taught at CSUN since 2011. Capous-Desyllas brings interdisciplinary perspectives to the class, including social work, gender and sexuality studies, sociology related to critical feminist pedagogies, transnational issues, empowerment approaches, anti-oppressive and de-colonizing research and practice methods, critical feminist and queer theory, visual and public sociology, community engagement and social activism through the arts. She has engaged in numerous community-based, photovoice projects with marginalized populations, including collaboration with individuals working in sex trades, LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ former foster youth, and grandparents as unexpected caregivers. Her passion lies in utilizing the arts as a form of activism for social justice and change. She applies her expertise and experience with diverse groups to this course.
Maria Clemens, LCSW
Practicum Education Liaison
SWRK 522: Foundations of Practicum Education and Placement I
SWRK 523: Foundations of Practicum Education and Placement II
Email: maria.clemens@csun.edu
Maria Clemens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and proud two-time CSUN alumna. She currently serves as a Practicum Education Liaison in the MSW program, supporting student success in foundational field placements. Clemens holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CSUN, along with an Associate of Arts in Child Development from Moorpark College.
She has over 10 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations across various settings. Clemens is highly experienced in program development, grant writing, and bilingual (English/Spanish) service delivery in micro, mezzo, and macro-level roles. Her deep commitment to community-based social work and culturally responsive practice informs her approach to field education.
Clemens is passionate about mentoring students and helping them build confidence and competence in real-world practice environments.
Mercedes Frierson, LCSW
Practicum Education Liaison
SWRK 522/522P & 523/523P: Foundations of Practicum Education and Placement I & II
SWRK 622/622P & 623/623P: Advanced Practicum with Urban Families I & II
Email: mercedes.frierson@csun.edu
Mercedes Frierson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Practicum Education Liaison at CSUN’s Master of Social Work program. She brings extensive experience in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI). Frierson is the founder of ACTION to Healing, LLC, a consulting practice dedicated to cultivating culturally humble, trauma-informed, and inclusive work environments through training and coaching.
She has worked extensively in the Los Angeles homeless services sector and is a passionate advocate for healing-centered engagement. Frierson’s educational background includes a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from DePaul University’s Theatre School. She uses this unique combination to connect meaningfully with students and clients, guiding them through personal and professional transformation.
At CSUN, she supports MSW students in navigating their practicum experiences while fostering cultural awareness and professional resilience. Her work exemplifies her dedication to empowering the next generation of social workers.
Julie Gould, MSW, LCSW
SWRK 630: Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief
Gould earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and joined the CSUN faculty in 2008. She serves as CalSWEC (California Social Work Education Center) project coordinator for the Department of Social Work. CalSWEC is a partnership of the Department of Social Work, public human services agencies and professional organizations that promotes effective, culturally competent service delivery to the people of California. She has more than 15 years of experience providing mental health services to children and families who experienced trauma. She also has extensive involvement with the public child welfare and mental health systems. Much of social work involves working with clients and communities who have experienced trauma. Gaining an understanding of the impact of trauma on the trajectory of these individuals and communities is essential to effective social work practice. Gould’s education and experience focus on this aspect of social work, and she conveys to her students the importance of this field.
Allen E. Lipscomb, Psy.D., LCSW
Professor, Department of Social Work
Director, Online and Offsite Master of Social Work Programs
SWRK 501: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
SWRK 503: Psychosocial Assessment and Diagnostic Formulation
SWRK 510: Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice
SWRK 535: Social Work Research Methods I
SWRK 601: Advanced Social Work Practice with Urban Families I
SWRK 630: Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief
SWRK 635: Advanced Skills in Program Evaluation and Research with Urban Families
SWRK 650C: Mental Health Recovery and Wellness
SWRK 698: Graduate Research Project
Email: allen.lipscomb@csun.edu
Dr. Allen E. Lipscomb is Professor of Social Work and Director of CSUN’s MSW Online and Offsite Programs. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and clinical psychologist with expertise in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed mental health services for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Lipscomb earned his Psy.D. from Ryokan College and MSW from the University of Southern California, along with certifications in DEI, executive public leadership, and community-based research from Cornell, Harvard, and the University of Michigan.
He leads several initiatives at CSUN including the Minority Male Mentoring (M3) and Student Success Allies (SSA) programs. His scholarship focuses on race-based trauma, Black male grief, and culturally responsive therapeutic practices. He is the author of several books, including Black Male Grief Reaction to Trauma and the BRuH Approach to Therapy, as well as numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Lipscomb is a respected national speaker, consultant, and educator who champions clinical excellence grounded in cultural humility and equity.
Susan Love, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW
Professor, Department of Social Work
SWRK 501: Human Behavior and Social Environment
SWRK 502: Human Behavior and Social Environment II
SWRK 503: Psychosocial Assessment and Diagnostic Formulation
SWRK 510: Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice
SWRK 535: Social Work Research Methods I
SWRK 601: Advanced Social Work Practice with Urban Families I
SWRK 602: Advanced Social Work Practice with Urban Families II
SWRK 630: Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief
SWRK 635: Social Work Research Methods II
SWRK 698: Capstone Project
Love has designed curriculum and taught social work classes for this program since it launched. She earned her Ph.D. in social welfare and Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. In addition to her academic background, she has widespread experience in the field. She practiced in community mental health, hospital and hospice social work, and independently in community practice for nearly 30 years. She developed a social media website, ShrinksOnline, for practitioners to share experiences and keep current in the field. She has taught at the university level since 1999 and developed and tested a program for young mothers emancipating from child welfare or juvenile justice systems. She also innovated how social work students are educated in child welfare practice. She served as principal investigator for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant with an international team of scientists who develop and tested a social media platform for an evidence-based practice to reach and engage highly vulnerable parents. She has published extensively about the field. The social work courses intersect and build on each other to promote a professional social worker in a complex and changing society. Love brings her experience, knowledge and initiative to all her classes.
Katie Mortimer, MSW, LCSW
Faculty, Department of Social Work
Program Director of MSW
SWRK 510: Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice
SWRK 520 – Social Work Practice in Multicultural Contexts
SWRK 602 – Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals in Urban Communities
Email: katie.mortimer@csun.edu
Katie Mortimer has more than 30 years of experience in social work, with deep roots in community mental health, family services, and clinical supervision. She has served on the CSUN Social Work faculty since 2006 and currently teaches across foundational and advanced practice courses, including multicultural and urban community-based social work.
Mortimer earned her MSW from the University of Southern California and her BA in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. She has served in various leadership roles including Program Director of Outpatient Services and Therapeutic Behavioral Services in the San Fernando Valley. She is a contributor to scholarship on mentoring and anti-oppressive social work education, and she brings a practitioner’s lens to her teaching.
Her commitment to student development and inclusive pedagogy shapes her classroom and field mentorship.
José Miguel Paez, MSW, LCSW
Lecturer, Department of Social Work
SWRK 520: Social Work Practice in Multicultural Contexts
SWRK 521: Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice II
SWRK 525: Social Welfare Policy and Services
SWRK 630: Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief
Paez received his MSW in 2001, with an emphasis on families and children. His background, education and array of activities give him broad expertise in social work practice, policy and services. Paez joined the CSUN faculty in 2009 and teaches clinical and macro practice courses. His theoretical and research interests include decolonization, anti-colonial practice, critical race theory, feminism, intersectionality, liberation and transformative based-healing, historical trauma and healing-centered engagement. In addition to his academic experience, he serves on the planning committee of the We Are Power: Community in Action Conference, an annual event organized by the Department of Social Work.
Paez also organizes the Department of Social Work’s Docs & Talks, bringing attention to important social issue affecting social workers; organizes the Department of Social Work’s Writing Mentors program; and facilitates Social Justice Dialogues for MSW alumni. His campus activities also involve collaboration with programs that include MOSAIC (Mentoring to Overcome Struggles and Inspire Courage), BUILD PODER (Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research), the DREAM Center, Office of Student Success Innovations, and the Institute for Transformative Teaching and Learning. He provides ongoing consultation, mentoring, trainings, workshops and clinical supervision in the community. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Education and Leadership at CSUN.
Hyun-Sun Park, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Social Work
SWRK 501: Human Behavior and Social Environment I
SWRK 502: Human Behavior and Social Environment II
SWRK 535: Social Work Research Methods I
SWRK 635: Social Work Research Methods II
SWRK 698: Graduate Project
Park earned her Ph.D. in social work and her Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. Her areas of interest and research focus on psychological well-being among immigrants and the elderly population. Students will learn about human behavior in the social environment, how to conduct research independently, and how to evaluate their own practice. She has been published in journals and presented at competitive national conferences, including CSWE (Council on Social Work Education), SSWR (Society for Social Work and Research), and APA (American Psychological Association). Her education, experience and research benefit social work students studying behavior and research.
Jolene Swain, MSW
Director of Practicum Education and Lecturer
SWRK 521: Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice II
SWRK 650C: Mental Health Recovery and Wellness
Email: jolene.swain@csun.edu
Jolene Swain joined the full-time CSUN faculty in 2015 as Director of Practicum Education in the Department of Social Work. She holds a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach and a BSW from Loyola University of Chicago. Before CSUN, she served as a Clinical Professor of Field Education at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work for two decades. Swain brings more than 20 years of experience developing field curriculum, coordinating stipend programs, and supporting student success through evidence-based and community-centered models.
Swain is currently Co-Principal Investigator of CSUN’s Minority Male Mentoring Program (M3), and her research focuses on supporting African American males and their mothers, aiming to close the opportunity gap. She also has experience in program development, grant writing, legislative advocacy, and mental health systems. Swain previously led programs for high-risk adolescents at the Los Angeles Free Clinic and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she helped shape California policy for runaway and homeless youth.
Her publications address culturally responsive field education, racial equity, and the lived experiences of Black students in higher education. Her teaching and leadership reflect a deep commitment to advancing social justice through education, practice, and community engagement.
Victoria Terrill, LCSW
Practicum Education Liaison
SWRK 522/523: Foundations of Practicum Education I & Placement
SWRK 622/623: Advanced Practicum with Urban Families & Placement
Email: victoria.terrill@csun.edu
Professor Victoria Terrill brings more than 25 years of professional experience to her role as Practicum Education Liaison at CSUN. Her social work background spans corrections, nonprofit services, healthcare, education, and the courts. In addition to her work at CSUN, she maintains a private practice serving children, adults, and families impacted by divorce and legal system involvement.
Terrill has supported CSUN MSW students for over a decade, helping them process practicum challenges, reflect on their growth, and bridge theory to practice. She emphasizes the importance of critical conversations in field education and supports students in building their professional identities. She earned her MSW from CSU Long Beach and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2009.
Darlene Woo, MSW
Assistant Director of Practicum Education, Lecturer
SWRK 522: Foundations of Practicum Education and Placement I
SWRK 523: Foundations of Practicum Education and Placement II
SWRK 622: Advanced Practicum with Urban Families I
SWRK 623: Advanced Practicum with Urban Families II
Email: darlene.woo@csun.edu
Darlene Woo is Assistant Director of Practicum Education for CSUN’s Online and Off-Campus MSW programs. She joined CSUN in 2019 and brings over two decades of experience as a practicum education instructor and liaison. Woo earned both her Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern California. She oversees practicum curriculum design, site development, instructor training, and student internship placements across program modalities.
Woo co-developed multiple specialized practicum projects including the Mentored Internship Project and the Housing Instability Project, both of which support high-need student populations and advance student readiness for clinical practice. Her teaching background includes courses on social work theory, urban policy, and community practice.
She has collaborated on interdisciplinary research addressing homelessness, AI in HIV prevention, and health disparities. Woo is also affiliated with CSUN’s Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society and has presented at national conferences such as CSWE. Her work reflects a strong commitment to inclusive, innovative field education that prepares students to serve diverse urban communities.
