Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Program Directors & Lead Faculty

Aynsley Scheffert

Program Director | aym87336@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Dr. Aynsley Scheffert is an Assistant Professor of Social Work teaching in both the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work programs and serves as the BSW Program Director with Bethel University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA in 2007 and her MSW from St. Thomas University in 2015. Following completion of her MSW degree, she worked as a hospital social worker at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and then as an individual, fam. . . read more.

Faculty

Emily Blackmer

Associate Program Director | emily-blackmer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Assistant Professor in CAPS BA Social Work; Associate Program Director of CAPS BA Social Work Emily Blackmer's background includes working for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as a Children's Social Worker, being assigned to Treatment and Dependency Investigation units. She has also worked in medical social work in a wide range of medical specialities including intensive outpatient psychiatric care, the emergency department, critical care units, mother/baby. . . read more.

Kelsey Chavalas, LICSW

Adjunct Professor | keh64398@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Adjunct professor with experience in both public and non-profit child welfare, and public waiver programs supporting community inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

Laura Gilbertson

Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries | laura-gilbertson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

American Evangelicalism, culture, systematic theology, sociology of religion, race, gender, and topics connected to justice and reconciliation.

Minyoung Lim

Assistant Professor of Social Work | minyoung-lim@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Minyoung Lim is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Bethel University. She holds an MSW from University of Pittsburgh and PhD in Social Work from Indiana University. Minyoung has diverse practice experience from micro to macro including social work research in government and direct practice in Aging.

Helen Nazarian Lole

Adjunct Faculty | h-lole@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Helen Lole is a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade experience in various social work settings, including: community mental health, hospital social work, law enforcement, mental health court and substance abuse facilities. Helen Lole is also a licensed attorney and has a professional interest in the intersection of the two professions: Social Work and Law. Helen Lole has focused on increasing legal knowledge through social work skills to achieve effective empowerment of indiv. . . read more.

Darrell Morgan

Adjunct Faculty | darrell-morgan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Dr. Darrell Morgan is an Adjunct Faculty in the CAPS and CAS Social Work Department. Darrell holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Michigan-Flint as well as a MDIV from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Darrell also received a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Darrell worked as a Social Worker with children, families, the homeless population, and in a mental health intake center. Darrell is the Lead Pastor of CrossWinds Community. . . read more.

Jerrion Richardson

Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work | j-richardson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Jerrion Richardson, MSSW, LICSW is a clinical assistant professor with the Social Work Department at Bethel University. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Science in Social Work degree with a concentration in Evidence-Based Interpersonal Practice from the University of Tennessee. Jerrions practice experience includes working with people in crisis both environmental and behavioral. Jerrion has training in Critical Incident Stress Debri. . . read more.

Kaylena Riendeau

Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | k-riendeau@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Kaylena has the honor of investing in students each day at Bethel University, witnessing their expertise grow in social work, admiring their dedication to enacting positive social change, and mentoring them in their faith.

Corey Tolliver Sr.

Adjunct Instructor of Social Work | c-tolliver@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Corey currently serves as the Director of Operations and Clinical Lead for Life Services Mental Health Agency in Richmond, Virginia. As Director of Operations, Corey implements strategies and plans to service the homeless community suffering from increased mental health symptoms, chronic homelessness, and limited support from family and friends. Corey has implemented community assistance programs and workshops for professionals on self-care and building healthy relationships with those in t. . . read more.

Samuel Zalanga

Professor of Social Work Emeritus | szalanga@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Zalanga's doctoral fieldwork focused on the comparative role of ruling elite coalitions in development policy formulation and implementation in Malaysia and Nigeria. He specifically studied the process and politics of neoliberal economic reforms and implementation in the two countries as part of a broader global political-economic issue of the relative role of states and the market in the contemporary incarnation of global capitalism. Zalanga grew up in the rural, social margins, and peri. . . read more.

Nick Zeimet

Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor | nick-zeimet@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Nick is a clinical social worker with more than 10 years of psychotherapy and community social work experience. He volunteers with Mount Sinai Human Rights Program conducting remote evaluations for those seeking asylum in the United States. He is the past President of SAMS - MN Chapter (Syrian American Medical Society) and Mental Health Committee member of SAMS - national. He was lead coordinator of the first SAMS Mental Health Psychosocial Support report and in 2019 led a mental health mis. . . read more.