Master of Social Work Faculty

Assistant Professor of Social Work

Alberto joins Colby-Sawyer in 2026. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Houston, an MSW from Baylor University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Houston.

Alberto's research agenda centers on dismantling barriers to mental health care within marginalized communities, with specialized focus on empirically supported treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). As a mental health therapist and scholar-practitioner, he is committed to advancing culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions that address systemic disparities and improve treatment outcomes for underserved populations. 

Program Director, Professor of Social Work & Sociology 

Kate joined Colby-Sawyer in 2013. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of New Hampshire and MSW from Fordham University. In addition to being the MSW program director, she teaches courses across the MSW curriculum, including Human Rights and Social Justice and introductory and advanced research methods. Kate is also a licensed clinical social worker with a clinical practice. She specializes in treating adult clients experiencing domestic/family violence and adjustment disorders using CBT and EMDR.

Assistant Professor and Director of Online MSW Practicum Education, School of Business & Social Sciences

Laura joined the faculty at Colby-Sawyer in 2024. She earned a B.A. in psychology with a minor in philosophy from Elon University and an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership at Springfield College.

Before entering social work higher education in 2020, Laura worked for nearly a decade as a clinical social worker in community-based and university mental health settings. She also served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine from 2008 to 2010. Her clinical work focused on university mental health, crisis response and brief and longer-term treatment modalities, including narrative therapy and trauma-informed care. Her practice is grounded in anti-oppressive and liberatory practices, such as LGBTQ+ affirming care, size-aware care, support for eating disorder recovery and work with international student populations.

Assistant Professor of Social Work

Rosa joined Colby-Sawyer in 2025. She received her MSW degree from Columbia University School of Social Work and Ph.D. in social work from New York University. She is a researcher with experience in human rights advocacy and various social justice areas. She has worked across a wide variety of NGOs, including Amnesty International USA, Re:Gender (formerly the National Council for Research on Women) and grassroots social service organizations.