Dr. Zoila Gordon
Zoila Gordon is an Associate Professor and Director of the BASW program at the University of Massachusetts Global. Dr. Gordon prides herself in her ability to engage online adult learners. Dr. Gordon has always had a burning desire to teach and pass on valuable knowledge to others entering the field of social work. For several years, she was a field supervisor for social work students. She then went on to teach both bachelor's and master's students. Dr. Gordon is a licensed clinical social worker with almost 40 years of experience in the field of social work. Dr. Gordon has almost 30 years of experience in social work education. She has also worked in the field of mental health as a psychiatric social worker for Los Angeles County Mental Health. There, she provided therapy to children and family with emotional disorders.
Dr. Gordon also spent several years working as a medical social worker, with her time divided between a rehab center for brain-injured patients and an inpatient medical center where she provided psychosocial intervention for individuals who were chronically and/or terminally ill. She also assisted patients and families dealing with emotional and financial problems.
Dr. Gordon also has experience in the field of family violence. She facilitated court ordered domestic violence groups for men and women who were perpetrators of intimate partner violence.
Education History
2012 - Ph.D. Social Policy and Social Research, Loma Linda University
- Dissertation: "Batterers Perception of Treatment Non-Completion"
1985 - MSW Social Work, University of Southern California
1983 - BSW Social Work, Loma Linda University
Scholarly Activities
Commitee
2025-2026
- Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC) (Chair)
2024-2025
- Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC) (Chair)
2021-2023
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC)
2019-2021
- Faculty Personnel Committee (FPC
Publications
2024
- Transformative Experiences During Short-Term Immersion Trips Abroad: An Examination of MSW Students in Panama and Italy.
Presentations
2025
- “Enhancing Psychological Safety & Belongingness: Student Conversations in Politically Hostile and Divided Times" 42nd Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
2024
- “Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Every Step of Program Design: A Social Work Study Abroad Program. World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
- “Transformational Learning Through Social Work Study Abroad Programs.” World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
- “The Impact of International Study Abroad Programs on Student Professional Growth: Research, Analysis, and Reflections.” World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
2023
- “Transformational Learning: Re-envisioning the Impact of International Study Abroad Programs.” CIEE 76th Annual Study Abroad Conference, Paris, France
2022
- "Transformational Learning: Researching the Impact of International Study Abroad Programs." Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, Anaheim, Ca.
2021
- "Study Abroad: Creating Inclusive Opportunities and Leading Critical Conversations." Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, Virtual.
- "Teaching Outside the Textbook: Creating an Introductory Latin American Studies Course that Includes the First-hand Experiences of Those Who Lived There. The Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies (SECOLAS), Virtual
Professional Experience
2016: Associate Professor and BASW Program Director, University of Massachusetts Global
- Full-time teaching and field coordination.
1999: Faculty Field Liaison, CSUSB School of Social Work
- Full-time MSW Lecturer and Field Liaison.
1994: Assistant Professor and Field Coordinator, La Sierra University
- Taught BSW students and served as field practicum coordinator.
Education History
2012 - Ph.D. Social Policy and Social Research, Loma Linda University
- Dissertation: "Batterers Perception of Treatment Non-Completion"
1985 - MSW Social Work, University of Southern California
1983 - BSW Social Work, Loma Linda University
Scholarly Activities
Commitee
2025-2026
- Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC) (Chair)
2024-2025
- Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC) (Chair)
2021-2023
- Governance & Appeals Committee (GAC)
2019-2021
- Faculty Personnel Committee (FPC
Publications
2024
- Transformative Experiences During Short-Term Immersion Trips Abroad: An Examination of MSW Students in Panama and Italy.
Presentations
2025
- “Enhancing Psychological Safety & Belongingness: Student Conversations in Politically Hostile and Divided Times" 42nd Annual Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
2024
- “Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Every Step of Program Design: A Social Work Study Abroad Program. World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
- “Transformational Learning Through Social Work Study Abroad Programs.” World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
- “The Impact of International Study Abroad Programs on Student Professional Growth: Research, Analysis, and Reflections.” World Social Work Conference, Panama, Republic of Panama
2023
- “Transformational Learning: Re-envisioning the Impact of International Study Abroad Programs.” CIEE 76th Annual Study Abroad Conference, Paris, France
2022
- "Transformational Learning: Researching the Impact of International Study Abroad Programs." Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, Anaheim, Ca.
2021
- "Study Abroad: Creating Inclusive Opportunities and Leading Critical Conversations." Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, Virtual.
- "Teaching Outside the Textbook: Creating an Introductory Latin American Studies Course that Includes the First-hand Experiences of Those Who Lived There. The Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies (SECOLAS), Virtual
Professional Experience
2016: Associate Professor and BASW Program Director, University of Massachusetts Global
- Full-time teaching and field coordination.
1999: Faculty Field Liaison, CSUSB School of Social Work
- Full-time MSW Lecturer and Field Liaison.
1994: Assistant Professor and Field Coordinator, La Sierra University
- Taught BSW students and served as field practicum coordinator.
Related Programs
