Dr. Fiona Sansone
Co-Chair, Department of Health Professions
Dr. Fiona Sansone
Health Professions Chair
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-5622
Email: fsansone@missouriwestern.edu
Zowie West
Administrative Assistant
Zowie West
Administrative Assistant
Office: Murphy Hall 207A
Office Phone: (816) 271-4402
Email: zwest@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Pam Clary
Professor
Social Work
Dr. Pam Clary
BSW Program Director
Professor of Social Work
A.A., Highland Community College
B.S.W./B.S., Kansas State University
M.S.W., University of Kansas
Ph.D., Kansas State University
Office: Murphy Hall 207E
Office Phone: (816) 271-4341
Email: pclary@missouriwestern.edu
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Clary use the following link: https://pamclary.youcanbook.me
Office Hours
Monday 11 – Noon, 1 – 3 p.m.
Thursday 9 – 11 a.m.
Dr. Pam Clary came to Missouri Western State University as the Acting Social Work Program Director, in August 2007. She remained in this position until August 2009, when she stepped into the Field Director’s position so she could return to school to complete her doctoral work. In August 2014, Dr. Clary resumed the leadership position of Program Director. Dr. Clary received her BSW (’87) from Kansas State University, MSW (’91) from the University of Kansas and her PhD (’14) from Kansas State University. She has over 17 years of direct clinical experience, over 15 years of teaching experience (BSW and MSW classes), along with several years of administrative experience. Dr. Clary’s social work experience includes working with children, youth and families with mental health issues, Parent/Child Sex Educator, licensed clinical social worker working with victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence and home health. She has provided numerous supervision placements for social work students and provided clinical supervision for social workers working on their licensure for the state of Missouri and/or Kansas. In addition, Dr. Clary has been and continues to be actively involved in the community. She sits on community boards, task forces, sub-committees and is involved in ongoing professional activities that promote diversity and social justice. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and is licensed in both Missouri and Kansas. While at Missouri Western State University, Dr. Clary has taught a variety of social work courses which include: Social Work Practice I, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I and II, Introduction to Social Work (face-to-face and online), Bridge to Practicum (a course she developed), Death and Dying and Practicum Seminar.
Dr. Grey Endres
Associate Professor
Social Work
Dr. Grey Endres
Associate Professor of Social Work
B.S.E. University of Kansas
M.S.W. University of Kansas
D.S.W. University of Southern California
Office: Murphy Hall 207D
Office Phone: (816) 271-5965
Email: rendres@missouriwestern.edu
To schedule an appointment with Grey Endres use the following link: https://greyendres.youcanbook.me
Jana Frye
Associate Professor
Social Work
Jana Frye
BSW Field Education Director
Assistant Professor of Social Work
M.S.W., University of Kansas
B.S, Criminal Justice, Truman State University
Office: Murphy Hall 207C
Office Phone: (816) 271-4350
Email: jfrye3@missouriwestern.edu
To schedule an appointment with Jana Frye use the following link: https://janafrye.youcanbook.me
Office Hours
Monday 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Dr. LeAnn Wittman
Assistant Professor
Social Work
LeAnn Wittman
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4352
Email: lwittman@missouriwestern.edu
Whitlea Castillo
Assistant Professor
Social Work
Witlea Castillo, LMSW
Assistant Professor
A.A., Highland Community College
B.S.W., Missouri Western State University
M.S.W., University of Kansas
Office: Murphy Hall 207C
Office Phone:
Email: wcastillo@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours:
Whitlea Castillo is a Missouri Western Alumni and an LMSW in the state of Kansas. She obtained an Associate of Arts from Highland Community College (2013), a BSW from Missouri Western (2015), and a Master’s in Social Work from KU (2018). Whitlea will begin pursuing her DSW from the University of Kentucky beginning in January 2025. The majority of Whitlea’s career has been spent working in rural communities with youth and families in child welfare and the public school setting. Whitlea also has experience working in home health & hospice.
Brandon Johnson
Assistant Professor
Social Work
Brandon Johnson
Assistant Professor
B.S.W. Missouri Western State University
B.S. Missouri Western State University
M.S.W. Washington University
M.B.A. Missouri Western State University
Office: Murphy Hall 206B
Office Phone: 816-271-4455
Email: bjohnson23@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours:
Brandon Johnson is a Missouri Western State University alumni and an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in the state of Missouri and LCSW-C in the state of Maryland. Brandon has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sociology (2012), Bachelor of Social Work (2012) and Master of Business Administration (2019) from Missouri Western State University. Brandon completed his Master of Social Work with emphasis on Social and Economic Development at Washington University in Saint Louis (2013).
Brandon’s past work includes serving as a Compliance Auditor with the Missouri Department of Mental Health; Institutional Chief of Mental Health in the Missouri Department of Corrections; and City of Saint Louis Missouri’s Commission on Children, Youth, and Families: Youth Violence Task Force. Brandon’s academic interests include transdisciplinary approaches to social innovation; policy analysis; social impact strategy; music-based approaches to improving mental health outcomes, public health outcomes, and building social cohesion; mental health assessment and diagnosis; and program development, implementation and evaluation.
Part-Time Faculty
Jessica Divine
Social Work
Jessica Divine
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
A.A., North Central Missouri College
B.S.W., Missouri Western State University
M.S.W., University of Missouri-Kansas City
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email:
Jessica Divine is a Missouri Western Alumni and received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jessica has received her graduate degree and worked with forensic mental health patients while pursuing clinical licensure. She received her LCSW credential in 2022 and has since worked in adult inpatient psychiatric and community mental health. She is currently employed as a therapist at Lyra Health providing EAP services for employers. Jessica believes in the importance of mental health care and advocating for marginalized populations.
Sally Frede
Social Work
Sally Frede
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
B.S. University of Missouri
M.S.W., University of Missouri
Post Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy, Wichita State University
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Email:
Sally joined Missouri Western as a MSW Field Liaison in Fall of 2023. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Science – Emphasis in Child Life in 2005 from the University of Missouri. She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri in 2007. While working as a child life specialist, Sally completed her play therapy training at Wichita State University. Sally has worked with children and families for her entire career in various capacities, including as a child life specialist and registered play therapist. Currently, Sally works at Embark Counseling Services. She works with children and teens as well as providing student and clinical supervision. In her spare time, Sally loves to travel with friends, do yoga, and spend time with her family.
Jennifer Kline
Social Work
Jennifer Kline
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
B.S.W. Missouri Western State University
M.S.W. University of Missouri
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email: jatkinson1@missouriwestern.edu
Courses:
SWK 250
Jennifer Kline is a Missouri Western Alumni and received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri. She began her career in the Juvenile Court system, working in juvenile delinquency, restorative justice programming, and with foster youth. Jennifer transitioned to employment in the adult Mental Health system after receiving her graduate degree and worked with forensic mental health patients while pursuing clinical licensure. She received her LCSW credential in 2010 and has since worked in acute inpatient psychiatric care, in an administrative capacity, and as a therapist, providing counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults. She is currently employed as a therapist at the Mosaic Outpatient Behavioral Health practice. Jennifer enjoys working in the mental health field, advocating for underserved populations, and mentoring social work students. She served as an Adjunct Professor at Missouri Western from 2010 to 2017 and resumed teaching part-time in 2022. She has supervised both BSW and MSW field practicum placements.
Harold McClellan
Social Work
Harold McClellan
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
B.S.W. Missouri Western State University
M.S.W. University of Missouri-Kansas City
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email: hmcclellan@missouriwestern.edu
Courses:
SWK 345
Harold McClellan is a Missouri Western Alumni and a graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Master of Social Work program. Harold has various substance use credentials from the Missouri Credentialing Board, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Missouri and a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) in Kansas. Harold has returned to MWSU to give back. Harold teaches the Substance Use and Disorders class. Harold says, “We all have perceptions, beliefs, and ideas about substance use that have been shaped and or influenced by our life experiences. I have met individuals from all walks of life, from all over the world through my work and life experiences. Most of the people that I have encountered (and their families) have been affected by substance use in one way or another. I enjoy using my knowledge and personal experience to help people understand substance use disorders and the people who have them.”
Ann McClintick
Social Work
Ann McClintick
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
B.S.W. Missouri Western State University
M.S.W. University of Missouri-Kansas City
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email: ajensen2@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours:
By Appointment Only
Courses:
SWK 260
Ann graduated from Missouri Western in 2001 with a Bachelor of Social Work. She received her Master of Social Work from UMKC in 2004. She has been a school social worker for the St. Joseph School District since 2016. Prior to working as a school social worker, Ann worked full-time as a medical social worker doing hospice care and grief support. Ann began teaching adjunct for MWSU in 2008. She has taught various classes including, Death and Dying, Introduction to Aging, Policy, Child and Family Welfare, and Practice I lab. Ann enjoys working with all ages, but is enjoying working with adolescents. She hopes to continue to work as a school social worker for the remainder of her career.
Danielle Nielson
Social Work
Danielle Nielson
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email: dnielson@missouriwestern.edu
Course: SWK-240 Social Work and Mental Health
Danielle Nielson joined Missouri Western State University as an adjunct professor in Spring of 2021. She completed her BSW at Missouri Western in May of 2013 and MSW at Park University in May of 2015. She also completed her LCSW in fall of 2020. She has professional experience working in foster care, domestic violence, school social work, and community/ outpatient mental health. Currently she works at Northwest Behavioral Health as an integrated therapist at the Mound City and Savannah Clinics. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two children, attending sporting events, and exploring new sites.
Joey Thompson
Social Work
Joey Thompson
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email: jthompson33@missouriwestern.edu
Course: SWK 425: Bridge to Practicum
Joey Thompson is a Missouri Western Alumni and a graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia Master of Social Work program. Joey joined Missouri Western as an adjunct instructor in 2012 until 2019. Joey has returned to Western as an adjunct instructor for the Fall session of 2023. Joey began her career working with foster youth in Missouri and Kansas in a program designed to prepare these young people to live independently. From 2001 to 2014 Joey worked for the State of Missouri Children’s Division. During her time with the Division, she worked child abuse and neglect investigations, worked to preserve in-tact families at risk of abuse and neglect, case management for children and families involved with the foster care system, working with relative, kinship, foster, and adoptive families. Joey served the Division in different capacities including supervisor, Circuit Manager for the 5th Circuit, and Field Support Manager. These positions provided opportunities for experience in serving on boards, task forces, interdisciplinary teams, policy development, training, and quality improvement. In 2014 Joey decided to pursue clinical licensure at Mosaic Life Care in Saint Joseph as a Behavioral Health Consultant for Primary Care medical practices. In 2016 she established two businesses providing mediation services for divorce and custody cases, and a private practice and consultation services. These roles included business ownership, management, contracting, training, mediating, and counseling. In 2017 Joey return to Mosaic Life Care in a leadership role full-time while continuing to work independently. In 2023 Joey returned to full-time social work. She currently works as an LCSW for Mosaic Life Care Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic and the Cancer Center. Her current practice includes people of all ages and stages.
Kayla Ueligger
Social Work
Kayla Ueligger
Part-Time Instructor of Social Work
B.A. Psychology
B.A. Spanish
M.S.W., University of Missouri-Kansas City
Office: Murphy Hall 207
Office Phone: (816) 271-4415
Email:
Course:
Kayla Ueligger is an alumna of Missouri Western State University with a BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish (May 2010) and alumna of University of Kansas-City, earning a Master’s degree in Social Work (May 2019). She earned her LMSW credentials in 2021. Kayla has over ten years in public child welfare and brings experience & training for practice, policy, and administration. In 2019, she earned a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and has spent several years working in project management, streamlining, and implementation efforts for macro system improvement for children and families involved in the abuse and neglect system. Kayla has spent her time as a social worker to improve the social work ethics and values presence in pubic child welfare by mentoring and supervising BSW and MSW students. In her free time, Kayla enjoys crafting, spending time with her children & family, and traveling with her children’s sports.