Director, Region IV
Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW
Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW, is a tenured full professor at the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She earned her PhD in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington, a master’s degree in social work with specialization in psychiatry and social medicine and an undergraduate degree in psychology from India. She did her schooling in Sikkim, a small state sandwiched between Tibet and Nepal in the northeastern states of India. Sharma has worked in various national and international organizations in parts of India and Nepal.
Her scholarship involves engagement with the global-local and global communities. She predominantly works in domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, international social work, and human trafficking. She is a recognized local, national, and international scholar. She has published several articles in reputable refereed journals; presented papers at local, state, national, and international conferences; and conducted several workshops on domestic violence. Sharma was awarded state grants for implementing research projects related to domestic violence. She has served as an external research examiner for post-doctoral candidate in India. Sharma has chaired several DSW dissertations, serves on DSW dissertation committees and is an editorial board member of the refereed journal.
Sharma is a board member and Kutztown University Campus representative for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Women's Consortium. She serves as Chair of the Kutztown University Commission on Status of Women. Under her leadership, the committee implemented the Elderly Care workshop and Take your Child to Work Day program. She also serves as treasurer of the Kutztown University-APSCUF International Faculty Caucus and is actively involved with Kutztown University -APSCUF Social Justice Committee. She was appointed to serve on the Kutztown University Commission on Status of Minorities: Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee to help develop a strategic plan to incorporate and bring greater understanding of the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative across the campus community.
Sharma serves as board officer for the Domestic Violence Center for Chester County (DVCCC), chairing the Strategic Planning Committee, and helping DVCCC reaccreditation with the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Organizations. She served on NASW-PA and held the Conference Planning Committee Chair position for several years.
Director, Region IX
Leticia Villarreal Sosa, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Leticia Villarreal Sosa, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at UTRGV. She received her BSW from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her AM and PhD from SSA (now the Crown School) at the University of Chicago. She has her Professional Educator license and fourteen years’ experience as a school social work practitioner. She is also a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. She also serves as a Mental Health Expansion Consultant at Arab American Family Services in Worth, IL. Her research includes Photovoice with the Muslim/Arab and Latinx communities in Chicagoland as a tool for advocacy, and a Spencer funded immigrant student equity project. Her most recent book focuses on the testimonios of Latinas in Chicago who significantly transformed health, education, and social services. She was awarded a grant from New York Life Foundation to develop a culturally informed response to grief and loss certificate for school-based professional. She has received several honors including book of the year award for her book, School Social Work: National Perspectives on Practice in the Schools, the best conceptual article published in 2021 in the International Journal of Social Work Education for her de-colonizing approach to study abroad; the Davlin Diversity Leadership Award in 2022; and the Gary Lee Shaffer award in 2023 for significant contributions to the field of school social work.
Director, Region XII
Michelle Pliske, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S
Michelle Pliske is assistant professor of social work at Pacific University and director of field education for the BSW program. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Washington, MSW from Portland State University, and DSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a licensed clinical social worker and registered Play Therapy supervisor. Pliske provides clinical supervision to post-graduate mental health professionals and counseling to children and families impacted by trauma and adversity. She has served on the NASW Oregon Chapter board as regional representative, vice president, and president. Pliske is a member of BPD, CSWE, NASW, APT, WPATH, and ISTSS. She has earned post-graduate certifications in animal assisted human health, trauma-informed care, EMDR, and play therapy. Pliske engages in research and scholarship focused on social work leadership, pedagogical practices, and pediatric mental health.
Director-at-Large
Sylvester “Jim” Bowie, EdD, MSW
Sylvester “Jim” Bowie, Professor Emeritus, earned his BSW and MSW degrees from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco. His social work experiences include private and public agencies; emergency response, reunification and adoptions. He worked for the Federal Title IV-E Stipend Program at CSUS, as a liaison and coordinator. He joined the CSUS faculty in 2001 and served in many capacities including vice chair and chair of the Faculty Senate, director of the BSW program, and chair of the Faculty Council in the Division of Social Work. He has served as chair and board member of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) on the CSUS campus. Bowie retired from CSUS in 2021. He has served NASW California Chapter as 1st Vice President and President of the board, and on various sub-committees including CalPace. Bowie serves on the National Audit Committee.