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On the effect she hopes to have on students and CSUN...

I hope I have many more years ahead of me, but honestly, after my diagnosis, I realize that nothing is promised! Living and working with a brain tumor has forced me to live and work in the present, and makes my daily interactions much more meaningful. I see the major role of a social worker to be an agent of change and I want to be an agent of change for GOOD not evil. When it's all over, I want to look back at my career and see colleagues, students, clients and systems that have been positively impacted by my efforts. I want my questions, discourse, publications, research and alternative teaching and supervision methods to promote growth, critical thinking and competence in micro, mezzo and macro contexts.

On the most exciting trends in her field, and why we should care...

I would say that the focus on intersectionality is one that I am the most awed by. Twenty years ago we understood the value of diversity and the role of cultural competence in effective treatment, but the emphasis on diversity, power and privilege and their impact on social justice really adds complexity to how we understand clients and systems. Without this understanding, the world is very polarized; with it, we have awareness and respect for the nuances that shape our individual lenses. We should care about this because there are so many things happening in the world that make us feel obliged to "choose a side." As social workers, choosing sides based on media biased information, personal preference or fear is unprofessional and unethical. Having intersectionality based knowledge and critical thinking skills to examine and explore the nuances of each person's experiences promotes client engagement and anti-oppressive practice.

"If I accept the status quo, I am not supporting the critical thinking that precipitates social and racialized justice, nor am I obtaining the perspectives of the vulnerable, voiceless populations who have yet to be studied."

On what drives or compels her to keep pushing the boundaries...

Research and scholarship have been somewhat of a surprise to me. What started as a tenure track job requirement became a way to bridge the gap between practice informed research and research informed practice. The more I do it, the more I realize the inherent limits in much of the research world; that what is published most and by whom represents a perspective that is not my own and frequently not my clients'. I am not a "typical academic" and my clients are often not "typical participants" in a study. I continue to ask difficult questions, develop research and scholarship activities with under served, marginalized populations and engage in uncomfortable social justice discourse with colleagues and students to promote the core values of the social work profession: to enhance human well being with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of the vulnerable, oppressed and impoverished. With each endeavor, I learn more about those previously voiceless, enhancing my practice, my teaching and my ongoing research efforts.

On what it means to be at CSUN...

CSUN is an amazing place to work. My department and college have provided me with the support and resources to identify and hone my strengths as an educator. They have allowed me to teach unconventionally, using culturally relevant approaches, a critical lens to view new and antiquated models or contemporary tools (i.e., social media) to engage students and assist them in understanding and applying academic material. I am also thankful for my colleagues and the amazing students we teach. Last year, I had a major health crisis and was out for a semester obtaining treatment. Between classroom coverage, meal delivery, social visits and a video they made me to express their concerns, my social work community was as actively involved in my recovery as my family. Their efforts really highlighted for me the healing power a professional or personal community can provide.

More information about Wendy J Ashley