Social Work Global Conference Report 2020

Speaker Biographies Dr. Wanja Ogongi, Ph.D Facilitating Difficult Social Justice Conversations: Adopting and Utilizing African Concepts of Restorative Dialogue Dr. Wanja Ogongi is an Assistant Professor at the Millersville University School of Social Work where she has taught since 2015. Dr. Ogongi teaches a variety of courses in the BSW and MSW programs. Her primary areas of teaching include HBSE, Social Work Macro Practice, and Social Work Field Education. Dr Ogongi has practiced social work in the areas of International Human Rights (focus on women and children), Child Welfare, Refugees and Unaccompanied Minors, and Medical Social Work. Her areas of interest for research include women empowerment, social and community development, International social work education and practice, and issues affecting the African Diaspora in the United States . Dr. Mary Gitau, Ph.D. Dr. Mary Gitau is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Clarke University, Dubuque, Iowa. Her educational preparation encompasses Education and Social Work. Her areas of teaching expertise include human diversity and cultural competences; social work research; human behavior; social work practice with communities and organizations, and global/ international social work; and social work with immigrant and refugees. Mary ’ s research interests include multicultural/diversity, cultural competencies, and educational access as strategy to eradicate poverty in developing countries. In addition to her teaching and research, Dr. Gitau has particular interest in advancing the practice of teaching, and community engagement and international social issues as they related to social work practice. Born and raised in Kenya, she earned a master ’ s degree in Social Work and a Ph.D. in Education both from the University of Wyoming, USA. Dr. Gitau ’ s passion involves advocating and empowering marginalized population. Dr. Evalyne Kerubo Orwenyo, Ph.D. Dr. Orwenyo is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the National Catholic School of Social Service, Washington, DC. Dr. Orwenyo has a multidiscipli- nary educational background. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education in French Linguistics and English Literature from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master of Arts in International Studies from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, a Master of Social Work from Howard University and a Ph.D. in Social Work at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Dr. Orwenyo has substantial practice experience in case management, program management, and research. She conducts cutting - edge empirical and participatory community research with minority communities. Dr. Orwenyo teaches courses on diversity, social policy and international development.