Meet the Faculty

The Social Work faculty members at William Woods University have a reputation for quality teaching and service to the community.  Students see the faculty as student focused and available to help students develop academically and personally.  Faculty remain active in micro and macro levels of practice and are involved with community agencies and social service boards that allow them to bring current practice and agency experience into the classroom.  In addition, faculty members attend workshops and conferences that enhance their teaching skills and keep them current with developments in the profession.

Elizabeth Wilson
LCSW, MSW, Program Director and Assistant Professor of Social Work

--Bachelor of Educational Studies in Educational and Counseling Psychology and MSW (1995): University of Missouri-Columbia
--Completed all course work towards Doctorate Degree in Social Work, but still completeing dissertation
--Served as a Clinical Instructor, teaching courses in both the BSW and MSW program at the University of Missouri-Columbia: 6 years
--Served as a Crime Victim Specialist, for the Boone County Office of the Prosectuing Attorney's Office for 7 years
--Worked in mental health with youth and adult services and with juveniles involved with the juvenile and family court system

George Garner
M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Director of Field Education, Associate Professor of Social Work

--Earned BSW degree from Southwest Missouri State University
--Received MSW degree from University of Missouri-Columbia
--Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in 1992
--Joined WWU Social Work Department in 1994 as an Assistant Professor of Social Work and Director of Field Education
-- Was then promoted to Associate Professor in 2003
--Works extensively with adolescent populations in residential, juvenile justice and psychiatric settings
--Provided clinical mental health services to adult and families as well as those victimized by violent crime
--Trained as a community crisis responder through the National Organization for Victim Assistance in 1994: This training enabled him to serve on Missouri’s first National Community Crisis Response Team that worked with families at the World Trade Center Ground Zero in October, 2001
--Conducted research on the impact of Missouri's Crime Victim's Constitutional Amendment on rural crim victims
--Served as the Interim Project Director and Core Faculty member for the Missouri State Victim Assistance Training Academy and currently serves on teh Missouri Victim Assistance Network State Board of Directors

Harriet Yelon
M.A., M.S.W., Associate Professor of Social Work

--Earned B.A. at Albertus Magnus College and M.A. degrees at both Hunger College and the University of Missouri
--Earned her M.S.W from the Univeristy of Missouri-Columbia in 1997
--Been with WWU since 1985 and has taught Sociology courses, Research, and Social Work courses
--Chosen by students as the Dads’ Association-Louis D. Beaumont Distinguished Professor Award recipient in 1992 and was named by WWU faculty Distinguished Scholar for 1999. 
--Interests include women’s issues, criminology, race and ethnicity, and research.  She has presented numerous papers at national conferences including her longitudinal study, which reflects the attitudes of students in higher education.
--Co-authored a book with Barbara J. Bank, titled, Contradictions in Women’s Education, Traditionalism, Careerism, and Community at a Single Sex College (2003)
--The academic advisor for Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, advisor for Phi Alpha Honor society in Social Work, advisor for the Anime Film Club and Rcubed (recycling club).