Faculty

Jennifer Hughes, MSW, LISW-S, Ph.D.

Professor Hughes began her social work career as a day treatment specialist at the Mental Health Center of Wood County, then worked at Lucas County Children Services and St. Rita's Medical Center. She came to Bluffton after more than eight years in a successful private counseling practice, which she continues part-time. She earned her MSW from The Ohio State University and Ph.D. at the University of Utah. She is well-connected with the local social services community in this area, having previously served as field director and as a chairperson of the Allen County Children Services Board for many years. 
More about Jennifer Hughes .

Heather Koontz, MSW, LISW-S    
Field work director

Professor Koontz began her career in community mental health, and worked her way from community support provider to director of emergency services. In that position she provided training and supervision to 30 professional employees. She wrote the grant that initiated the We Care Program, a collaborative program between Lutheran Social Services and St. Rita's Medical Center. She earned her MSW with a focus on social administration from The Ohio State University. 

 

Walter Paquin, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of social work

Professor Paquin was a licensed clinical social worker in Missouri, where he worked in the field for several years in St. Louis. Both his master's degree and Ph.D. are from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.  Paquin, who received his bachelor's degree in social work from Western Carolina University in 1992, teaches human behavior in the social environment, community practice and social welfare policy and analysis.
    60 seconds with Walter Paquin

Advisory Council 

The Advisory Council is comprised of Bluffton University faculty and staff, practicing social workers from the area, and students. It meets three times per academic year to advise the program director on curriculum content, program policies, fieldwork policies, program goals, recruitment strategies, accreditation self-study matters and other program matters.

Bluffton University faculty members

Jennifer Hughes
Heather Koontz
Walter Paquin

Bluffton University staff members

Ted Bible
Sue Van Eman

Bluffton University student members

Aryn Banks
Nicole Fairborn
Alison Janzen
Paige Nofsinger

Community Advisory members

Autumn Browning
Jessica Cox
Scott Ferris
Angie Heffner
Tom Hull
Cindi Orley
Shari Schmersal
Teresa Schnipke
Nancy Stephani
Deb Stinson
Jennifer Swartzlander
Beth West