NAU-Yuma gets new lecturer

Facing a critical shortage of faculty in its social work department, Northern Arizona University-Yuma has hired Cordelia Holbert as a social work lecturer this semester.

NAU said Holbert will teach both online and classroom courses. Holbert said she really loves social work and it is her passion.

"I want to blend what I learned in my Ph.D. work with NAU's program. And I'm excited because there is room for growth here and yet they already have a strong foundation."

Holbert said NAU-Yuma has also built strong collaborative relationships with the community and she is looking forward to working with specific agencies here.

"I hope I'll be able to add another layer of depth of experience to the Yuma campus and increase students' experience as brand-new practitioners in the field."

Holbert earned her doctorate in community psychology from DePaul University in Chicago, and received a master's in social work from University of Kansas while getting a bachelor's in political science from Benedictine College in Kansas. She has taught for two years at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.

Bill Pederson, NAU-Yuma social work coordinator, said Holbert brings a wide variety of experience and will augment the department.

"I'm ecstatic (about her hiring) because I've been pretty much a one-man show at NAU-Yuma in social work the last nine years. She'll help us grow the program as the needs of the community expand."

NAU-Yuma's social work program has doubled from 25 to 54 people enrolled and is the third largest program at the campus now, Pederson said. The program prepares students to do generalist social work practice that includes providing services to the disenfranchised and the poor. Once students graduate, they will be able to work at Amberly's Place, Child Protective Services, Catholic Community Services, Campesinos Sin Fronteras (Southwest Community Corporation for Education and Economic Development) and Crossroads Mission, he noted.

The social work program has been at NAU-Yuma since 2001.

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.