Director, Region III
Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW
Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW, is a Doctoral Lecturer at Lehman College, Department of Social Work, City University of New York. She obtained her PhD and MPhil from the Urban Education program at the City University of New York, Graduate Center, her MSW from University at Albany, State University of New York, and her BSW from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
With over 20 years of social work experience in early intervention, child welfare, public schools, higher education and work within nonprofit and corporate entities, Bautista-Thomas has provided training and workshop facilitation through her company Velocity Visions, Inc., in the areas of toxic stress, leadership development, effective communication, burn out prevention, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, self-care, mental health, incorporating mindfulness and contemplative practices.
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 V
Alice Kay Locklear, PhD, MSW, ACSW
Alice Kay Locklear, PhD, MSW, ACSW, is Professor and Assistant Chair of the Social Work Department at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is the first Native American female in the Department to hold a PhD and is dedicated to the ethical practice of the social work profession. Locklear is a member of the Council on Social Work Education and several other professional organizations. She is enthusiastic about working with diverse populations. The meaning of oppression, minority, and social injustice are reality topics in her work addressing multifaceted social disparities and inequalities. She values social work knowledge and skills coupled with being a Keeper of the Land, as expressed through her commitment and honor to the profession.
Locklear is experienced in clinical practices in mental health and substance use, agency consultation and collaboration, community education and trainer. She considers it a privilege to serve as an advocate in areas such as cultural competence, integration of circular interventions, social belonging practices, and Indigenous Knowledge for the purpose of health and well-being of all. She is active in social work curricula instrumentation and scholarly works, while serving on local, national, and international committees, her most recent appointment being NASW’s National Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity
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.