Presenters Brief Bios

Listed by Breakout Sessions

 

Les Ackie, DMin

Director for Family/Children’s Ministries at British Union of SDAs

Dr. Les Ackie serves as the Director for Family and Children’s Ministries at the British Union Conference. He is a counselor and authorized trainer for the pre-marital and marital enrichment tool Prepare Enrich. Dr. Ackie diverse work includes promoting healthy relational principles and emotional wellbeing.

Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking

 


 

 

Cameile Henry, B.A., M.A., R.E.C.E

Professor of Early Childhood Education, Sheridon Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning

Cameile Henry is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning. Over the years, she has worked extensively in the area of Early Childhood Education in various institutions of learning. She has assisted in the global development of ECE and in creating two international practicum partnerships in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. These initiatives have benefited children and families in several countries.

Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking

 


 

 

 

 

Shalunda Sherrod, DSW, LICSW, PIP

Member of the Quality Assurance Committee, Department of Human Resources, Oakwood University

Dr. Sherrod has 27 years of clinical experience in several prominent sectors, including hospitals, non-profits, the local and federal government, independent practice, and school social work. Dr. Sherrod currently serves on the Quality Assurance Committee for the Department of Human Resources (DHR) in Huntsville, Alabama.

Breakout Session #1 – The Influence of Parenting Styles on Sexual Self-Efficacy: A Preventative Health Decision Making Model

 


 

George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW

Associate Professor of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. George Ashley is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University where he serves as the MSW Director of Field Education. His research interests include race, social inequality, spirituality, health, and wellness. 

Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking

Breakout Session #2 – Religious/Service Participation as a Moderating Factor on Perceived Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 


 

 

 

 

Octavio Ramirez, Ph.D., LICSW

Professor, Chair, Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at Fort Hays State University

Dr. Octavio Ramirez is a full Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at Fort Hays State University. His research interests includes mental health, spirituality, religiosity, and school social work. 

Breakout Session #1 – The Influence of Parenting Styles on Sexual Self-Efficacy: A Preventative Health Decision Making Model

Breakout Session #2 – Religious/Service Participation as a Moderating Factor on Perceived Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 


 

 

Malcolm Cort, Ph.D., LMSW

Professor of Sociology, Athens State University

Dr. Malcolm Cort is a full professor of Sociology at Athens State University. His research specialty includes the study of abnormal behavior within minority population groups and critical health issues and their effect on minority population groups. He has authored numerous articles on abnormal behavioral issues and health awareness topics.

Breakout Session #2 – Religious/Service Participation as a Moderating Factor on Perceived Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 


 

 

Manual Morale, Ph.D., D.Min.

Associate Professor of Religion and Theology, Oakwood University

Dr. Manuel Moral is an Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He has earned double doctoral degrees in Psychology and Ministry and is a certified counselor. Dr. Moral is a gifted speaker and a dynamic evangelist within the national and international Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Breakout Session #2 – Religious/Service Participation as a Moderating Factor on Perceived Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 


 

 

Julian Anderson-Martin, MA, LLPC, LMHCA

Director, Rose Above the Thorn Counseling Center

Julian Anderson-Martin has over 30 years of counseling, clinical, and law enforcement experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and batterer’s intervention. She is the founder and director of Rose Above the Thorn Counseling Center.

Breakout Session #2 – Resilience of Relational Family Dynamics of Victims of Sex Trafficking

 


 

 

Keila Santos, Psy.D, LP

Associate Professor, Director, Psychology Program

Dr. Santos-Crespo is an Associate Professor and Director of the Psychology Program at Southwestern Adventist University. She is passionate about working with survivors of trauma, especially sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Breakout Session #2 – Exploring COVID-19 and its Impact on Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

 


 

 

Zaira Rico, MA, LMFT-A

Teacher, Counselor, Southwestern Adventist University

Zaira Rico holds a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Texas Women’s University. She has worked with domestic violence victims and conducted psycho-educational groups for women experiencing abuse in their homes. Currently, she teaches and provides counseling services at Southwestern Adventist University.

Breakout Session #2 – Exploring COVID-19 and its Impact on Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

 


 

 

Jennifer López, B.S.

Jennifer Lopez has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwestern Adventist University and has presented psycho-educational workshops for elementary and high school students.

Breakout Session #2 – Exploring COVID-19 and its Impact on Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

 


 

 

Lea Cuevas, B.S.

Lea Cuevas has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwestern Adventist University and worked at developing and presenting psycho-educational workshops, a process through which she addressed various mental health concerns of K-12 Adventist schools.

Breakout Session #2 – Exploring COVID-19 and its Impact on Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

 


 

 

Alina M. Baltazar, PhD, MSW, LMSW, CFLE

MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work, Co-Associate Director, Institute for the Prevention of Addiction, Andrews University

Dr. Baltazar is MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work, Co-Associate Director of the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions at Andrews University, and contract Psychotherapist at Life Coach Psychology in Berrien Springs, MI. She has conducted, presented, and published research in the area of parent/child relationships and pastoral family stress. Dr. Baltazar teaches clinical courses, including a course in couple and family therapy, at the School of Social Work. Dr. Baltazar is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified family life educator and has worked with individuals and families for over 25 years.

Breakout Session #3 – How to Help Your Child Really Love Jesus

 



 

 

David Sedlacek, PhD, LMSW, CFLE

Professor and Chair, Department of Discipleship and Lifespan Education, Andrews University

Beverly Sedlacek, MSN, DNP

 

Dr. David Sedlacek is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Discipleship and Lifespan Education at Andrews University. He has worked in public and private settings as a clinician, researcher, teacher, pastor, chaplain, and administrator. Dr. Sedlacek has worked extensively in the areas of addiction, abuse, relationships, marriage, and family.

Dr. Beverly Sedlacek is trained in the area of psychiatry and has worked and taught in the area of psychiatric nursing. She has worked as Clinical Director in several treatment facilities.

The Sedlaceks teach and counsel on the issue of emotional healing and family wellbeing and have written the book: Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing.

Breakout Session #3 – Spiritual Trauma

 


 

 

Jasmine Fraser, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Director, Ph.D. (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) program

Dr. Fraser is Assistant Professor and Director of the Ph.D. (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) program at Andrews University. Her inquiry in individual and family lifespan education has led to research and presentations on various family relational issues, including family communication dynamics, parent-child relational quality time, and the dynamics of parent-child relationships. Dr. Fraser serves as one of the coordinators of the Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice.

Breakout Session #4 – Nurture and Admonition as Developmental Best Practice of Resilience in Children

 


 

 

Sven Ostring, B.E. (Hons), Ph.D., GradDipTheol, MAPL (enrolled)

Director of Ministry and Strategy, Family Ministries Liaison, South Pacific Division

Dr. Sven Östring is the Director of Ministry and Strategy for the South Pacific Division (SPD) and the SPD Family Ministries Liaison. He has worked extensively in various pastoral, chaplaincy, and directorship roles. Dr. Östring is one of the founding visiting Seventh-day Adventist chaplains at the University of Sidney.

Breakout Session #4 – Developing Family Resilience by Transforming the Home into a Missional Centre of Influence

 

Related Information