Maria V. Wathen, PhD
Associate Professor
Maria V. Wathen received her Joint PhD in Social Work & Sociology, Master of Social Work, and Master in Sociology degrees from the University of Michigan. She also holds an M.A. in English from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in Sociology from Wheaton College. Her research focuses on the emergence of grassroots NGOs and their effect on policy and service provision. In addition, she explores issues of poverty and resulting child and family outcomes, as well as public policy and its impact on both public and private programs. Maria has a range of experience in education, clinical social work practice, nonprofits, and business in both the United States and internationally. She lived in Russia for 11 years and has taught seminars in multiple countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
Research Interests
- How individual and community factors impact access to government programs and nonprofit services.
- How policy, economic, and/or political environments impact social service organizations.
- How agency personnel impact organizational responses to external change or challenges.
- How power, structure, and political context impact civic participation in the social service sphere.
- How systemic issues such as poverty and racism impact participant outcomes in social service programs.
Courses Taught
Undergraduate Courses
- SOWK 301 Social Work with Individuals and Families I
Graduate Courses
- SOWK 503 Social Work Practice Skills with Individuals and Families
- SOWK 650 Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations
- SOWK 652 Organizations, Program Development, and Evaluation
- SOWK 800 Statistics
- SOWK 803 Advanced Statistics