Dr. Leonora Foels

Dr. Leonora Foels is the Coordinator of the Bachelors of Arts in Social Work (BASW) Online Degree Completion and Home and School Visitor (HSV) Certificate programs at Millersville University where she is an Associate Professor of Social Work. Dr. Foels teaches online, blended, and face to face classes across the BSW, MSW, and DSW programs. She teaches in the practice sequence (micro and mezzo) for BASW program along with other courses including diversity, family violence, and global well-being. In the joint MSW program, Dr. Foels teaches micro practice, school social work, and children and youth at risk. For the DSW program, Dr. Foels provides instruction in the teaching sequence of the program and serves as a dissertation chair and/or committee member. 

Dr. Foels received her PhD from Barry University School of Social Work in 2007 and MSW from Simmons College School of Social Work in 1993. Dr. Foels is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW in Florida and Pennsylvania) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW in Massachusetts). In the State of Florida, Dr. Foels is recognized as a qualified supervisor in Florida for Clinical Social Worker (CSW) and Mental Health Counselor (MHC). Dr. Foels’ clinical social work practice experience involves working with diverse populations in the community mental health, behavioral health, and child services. She provided a multitude of social work services as a practitioner to children, adolescents, adults, and families in a range of practice settings. 

The focal point of Dr. Foels research agenda revolves around diversity, social justice and change, civil discourse, social work education issues, using technology in social work education, school social work practice issues, and social work with groups. During her time at Millersville University, she frequently explores many avenues for publications in these areas and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborative community engaged research and service learning projects both domestically and internationally. Additionally, Dr. Foels presents at international, national, regional, state and local conferences and symposia.

Dr. Foels holds memberships in the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), International Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups (IAASWG), North American Association for Christians in Social Work (NACSW), and Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel (PASSWP).

Publications

Micsky, T. & Foels, L. (2019).  Community of Inquiry (CoI): A Framework for Social Work Distance Educators, Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 39(4-5) 293-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2019.1642976

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (2016). Revitalizing Social Work Education Using the Arts, Social Work with Groups, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2016.1258621

Rice. K., Girvin. H., Frank, J., & Foels, L. (2016). The Learning Institute: Promoting Social Justice Advocacy Within a Continuing Education Program, Journal of Teaching in Social Work, DOI: 10.1080/08841233.2016.1200704

Bethel, J., Foels, L, Frank, J., Walsh, K, & Rice, K. (Spring 2016) Creativity as a Vehicle for Transformation and Social Change. Journal of Scholastic Inquiry: Behavioral Sciences, 5(1), 9-31.

Book Chapters

Micsky, T. & Foels, L. (2020). Community of Inquiry (CoI): A Framework for Social Work Distance Educators. In P.A. Kurman & M. B. Littlefield Online and Distance Social Work Education: Current Practice and Future Trends (pp. 21-35). New York: Routledge.

Foels, L, Hill, S., & Rice, K. (2015) Bullying: Understanding, preventing, and assessing. In

1. Rice, & M. Felizzi (Eds.), Global youth:  Understanding challenges, identifying solutions, offering hope (pp. 34-48). United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Reports/Proposals/Resources

Walsh, K., Foels, L. & Rice, K. (August 2020). Millersville University BASW Handbook.

Rice, K., Foels, L., Whitlow, J. (December 2017). Multiversity and Intergroup Trainings for RAs and OLs. Final report prepared for University Administration.

Callaway, K., Foels, L., & Rice, K. (June 2016). Promoting Intercultural Competence through Photo Elicitation. Final report prepared for President’s Commission on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion.

Refereed Presentations

International Conferences and Symposia

Bethel, J. & Foels, L. (November 7-10, 2019) Stories that Bring Change, Workshop presented at The North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW): Empowering People, Healing Communities: Working Toward Renewal and Restoration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bethel, J. & Foels, L., Frank, J. DeJesus, B., & Dinse, L. (October 25-28, 2018) Conversation Peace: Nurturing Relationships through Intentional Dialogue, Workshop presented at The North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW): Called to Serve Faithfully in a Rapidly Changing World: Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves, Hartford, Connecticut.

Bethel, J., & Foels, L., Redcay, A & Frank, J. (October 25-28, 2018) Living Room Conversations in the Classroom: Evaluating Transformation, Workshop presented at The North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW): Called to Serve Faithfully in a Rapidly Changing World: Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves, Hartford, Connecticut.

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (October 25-28, 2018) Roundtable Discussions as Strategy: Intergroup Learning, Workshop presented at The North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW): Called to Serve Faithfully in a Rapidly Changing World: Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves, Hartford, Connecticut.

Bethel, J. & Foels, L. (November 2-5, 2017) Transformative Narratives: Using the Expressive Arts, Workshop presented at The North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW): Advocating for Peace, Justice & Reconciliation in Communities, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (June 15-18, 2016).  Transformative Group Work: Creativity as a Vehicle for Social Change.  Workshop for presentation held at the 2016 International Association for Social Work Groups (IASWG): Group Work Across the Globe: Building Transformative Connections, New York.

Foels, L. (June 15-18, 2016).  Group work in an online environment: Building communities.  Workshop for presentation held at the 2016 International Association for Social Work Groups (IASWG): Group Work Across the Globe: Building Transformative Connections, New York.

Rice, K. & Foels, L. (June 4-7, 2015).  Global Citizenship: Collective Voices through Expressive Arts. Experiential presentation held at the International Association for Social Work Groups (IASWG) XXXVII Annual Symposium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Walsh, K., Foels, L. & Clements, J. (June 4-7, 2015).  Surviving the Slippery Slope: Negotiating Ethics in Group Work Practice. Workshop for presentation held at the International Association for Social Work Groups (IASWG) XXXVII Annual Symposium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

National Conferences and Symposia

Micsky, T. & Foels, L. (March 13-17, 2019).  The Community of Inquiry Framework and Social Work Distance Education. Workshop for presentation at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) 2019 Annual Conference: Embracing the Contemporary Call for Social Justice, Tallahassee, Florida.

Bethel, J. & Foels, L. (January 28-30, 2019). Stories that bring change: Compassion, resistance, and competency in leadership. Workshop presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Grand Challenges of Social Work, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Micsky, T. & Foels, L. (April 11-13, 2018).  Utilizing the Community of Inquiry Framework to Inform Distance Education in Social Work. Workshop for presentation at the 4^th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: Advancing Social and Economic Justice Through Innovation. Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas.

Saldana DeJesus, B. & Foels, L. (April 11-13, 2018).  A Model for Delivering Field Education Orientation and Training Online. Workshop for presentation at the 4^th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference: Advancing Social and Economic Justice Through Innovation. Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas

Ogongi, W., Foels, L., & Bethel, J. (March 14-18, 2018).  Uncovering and Owning Unconscious Bias and Prejudice: Now what? Workshop for presentation at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) 2018 Annual Conference: The Grand Challenges of Political Change, Atlanta, Georgia.

Bethel, J., & Foels, L. (January 17-19, 2018). Stories that bring change: Compassion, resistance, and competency in leadership. Workshop presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Advancing School Social Work Practice National Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Foels, L. (March 1-5, 2017).  Let’s Talk About It: A Dialogue Toward Structuring Online Discussions. Workshop presented at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) 2017 Annual Conference: BPD for the Future: Social Work Educators, Allied Professionals and Students, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bethel, J., & Foels, L. (January 30-February 1, 2017). Human diversity and diversity: Building bridges and transforming lives. Workshop presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Advancing School Social Work Practice National Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (January 30-February 1, 2017). Creativity and storytelling: Becoming a change agent. Workshop presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Advancing School Social Work Practice National Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Firestone, M. & Foels, L. (September 30- October 2, 2016).  The Journey to Effective Online Teaching: Plans, Partnerships, and Pit Stops. Workshop for presentation held at The Teaching Professor Technology Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.

Foels, L. & Rice, K., Felizzi, M. (March 4-8, 2015). Building Bridges: Education for Global Citizenship. Workshop for presentation at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) 2015 Annual Conference: Social Work: Educating the Masses Kansas City, Missouri.

Local, Regional, and State Conferences and Symposia

Saldana DeJesus, B. & Foels, L. (September 12-18, 2018).  A Model for Delivering Field Education Orientation and Training Online. Workshop for presentation at the National Association of Social Workers- Pennsylvania Chapter (NASW-PA) Conference 2018. Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.

Micsky, T. & Foels, L. (September 12-18, 2018).  Utilizing the Community of Inquiry Framework to Inform Distance Education in Social Work. Workshop for presentation at the National Association of Social Workers- Pennsylvania Chapter (NASW-PA) Conference 2018. Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania.

Rice, K., Foels, L., & Witlow, J.  (January 20 & 21, 2018). Multiversity & Intergroup Dialogue. Training provided to faculty, and staff sponsored by Office of Diversity & Social Justice, Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Bethel, J., Foels, L., Frank, J., & Redcay, A.  (November 16-17, 2017). Civil Discourse and Intergroup Dialogues: Promoting Diversity and Social Justice. Sixty-minute panel presentation at 10th Annual State System Summit on Inclusive Excellence and International Education: Intersectionality: Moving Beyond the Margins, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L., Smith Wade-El, R., Witmer, M & Bechtel J.  (November 16-17, 2017). Research and Mentoring Initiative (RMI): A high impact practice. Sixty-minute panel presentation at 10th Annual State System Summit on Inclusive Excellence and International Education: Intersectionality: Moving Beyond the Margins, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Rice, K., Foels, L., & Witlow, J.  (November 16-17, 2017). Multiversity and Intergroup Dialogue: Engaging Individuals Across Social Identity Groups. Sixty-minute panel presentation at 10th Annual State System Summit on Inclusive Excellence and International Education: Intersectionality: Moving Beyond the Margins, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Bethel, J., Foels, L., Frank, J., DeJesus, B., & Dinse, L.  (September 29 & 30, 2017).  Conversations to Build Community: Waging Peace through Civil Discourse. Workshop for presentation at the PASSHE Women’s Consortium Conference: We Are Stronger Together—Intersectionality in a Diverse World, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Ogongi, W., Foels, L., Bethel, J., & Frank, J.  (September 29 & 30, 2017).  Uncovering and Owning Unconscious Bias and Prejudice: Now what? Workshop for presentation at the PASSHE Women’s Consortium Conference: We Are Stronger Together—Intersectionality in a Diverse World, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Rice, K., Foels, L., & Witlow, J.  (August 19 & 21, 2017). Multiversity & Intergroup Dialogue. Training provided to New Student Orientation Leaders and Residential Advisors sponsored by Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. (July 20, 2017). Building Groups. Training provided Pre-Scholars Summer Institute (PSSI) Student Leadership, Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. (July 19, 2017). Professionalism & Leadership. Training provided Pre-Scholars Summer Institute (PSSI) Student Leadership, Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Colabucci, L., Foels, L., & Firestone, M. (April 25, 2017). Strategy swap: D2L grades – promoting class engagement & meaningful assessments. Workshop for Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania

Smith Wade-El, R., Witmer, M., Mahaffy, K., & Foels, L. (April 7, 2017).  President’s Commission on Cultural Diversity & Inclusion (PCCDI): Research Mentoring Initiative. Workshop presented at Institute for Social Inclusion (INSINC), Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Bethel, J., Foels, L., Redcay, A., & Frank, J. (February 24, 2017). Teaching Diversity & Social Justice through Dialogue Groups. Workshop presented at Lancaster Learns Conference, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. & Firestone, M. (October 6-9, 2016).  Plans, Partnerships, and Pit Stops: The Journey to Effective Online Teaching. Workshop for presentation held at the National Association of Social Workers- Pennsylvania Chapter (NASW-PA) 2016 Conference: Building Strength Through Association, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. (August 13, 2016). Being a Change Agent. Workshop presentation for the Pre-Scholars Summer Institute Student Leadership Conference at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (March 31-April 1-2, 2016). Creativity as a Representation of Social Change. Workshop for the 9^th Annual GSA Leadership Summit. Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. & Catepillán, X. (October 8-10, 2015). Building Interdisciplinary Bridges. Workshop presented at Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS): From Latin America to Latino-American: Building Bridges Across Culture. Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L & Bethel, J. (September 30, 2015). Social justice, civil discourse, and inclusion: Practice makes perfect. Workshop presented at the 1st Annual Diversity Summit: Intersection Identities. Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L., Rice, K., & Bethel, J. (February 20-12, 2015). Awareness, Education, and Next Steps: Examining Heterosexism. Workshop for presentation held at the 8^th Annual GSA Leadership Summit. Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Invited Refereed Presentations

International Conferences and Symposia

Foels, L. (July 27-30, 2017). Celebrating Ourselves and Others Together. Workshop for the International Association for Social Work Groups In., (IASWG) Group Camp at George Williams College, Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

National Conferences and Symposia

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (January 28-30, 2019). Storytelling and Social Justice: Keeping it Real. Keynote presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Grand Challenges of Social Work, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Foels, L. & Bethel, J. (January 17-19, 2018). Storytelling and Social Justice: Keeping it Real. Keynote presented at the American Council for School Social Work (ACSSW) Advancing School Social Work Practice National Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Local, Regional, and State Conference and Symposia

Foels, L. (November 29, 2016). Screening of the Country of Fear documentary and discussion for Global Education, International Education Week at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. (November 1, 2016). Screening of El Pais del Miedo documentary and discussion for Spanish Film Club at Millersville University, Millersville,

Foels, L. (August 3, 2016). A Career in Social Work. Presentation for the College Readiness Summer Academy at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L., Liffick, B., & Trigus, J. (September 30, 2015). 1st Annual Diversity Summit: Intersecting Identities. Opening remarks and Living Room Conversations at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Rice, K. & Foels, L. (June 10-12, 2015). 2^nd Annual Global Well-Being Conference: Exploitation of Women and Children: Global Perspectives. Panel member for documentation screening of Girl Rising at Millersville University, Millersville, Pennsylvania.

Foels, L. (May 27, 2015). Career Day: The Social Work Profession. Presentation for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Sacred Heart School, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.