As a social worker with 20+ years of experience I have had the pleasure of serving individuals and families as a practicing social worker in the areas of mental health, child/family services, and addictions. I have also had the joy of training numerous social work professionals in my 16+ years of teaching. I currently serve in the role of the Online Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program.
Education of future social work professionals is my passion. My areas of expertise include courses in micro and mezzo social work practice, and social and cultural diversity. Other areas of interest include understanding attitudes about social justice and the integration of faith as well as the impact of social justice on motivation for leadership.
My husband Alvin and I are Associate Pastors at Acts 2 Life Transformation Church in Lexington, KY. We have four children and seven grandchildren.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from Regent University
- Masters of Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago
- Licensed Clinical Social Work in the state of Indiana
- Past MSW Program Director, Asbury University, Wilmore, KY
- Trained site visitor for the Council of Social Work Education
- Active membership in Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and presentations at national social work conferences including CSWE and North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW)
- Board Member for City 4 the Nations, a missions organization in Lexington, KY
PHD
Organizational Leadership
Regent University, 2016
CERT
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership
Regent University, 2012
MSW
University of Illinois at Chicago, 1996
BS
Psychology
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, 1987
Learn more about Michele's education, professional experience, and more!
PAPERS
- Wells, M. (2016). The relationship of professional values and spirituality with motivation to lead: The mediating effect of social justice importance (Doctoral Dissertation). ProQuest. 10137941
- Collins, W., Bryson, S, & Wells, M. (2015). The significance of the supervisory relationship in field practicum. International Journal of Social Work Education, 18(2), 55-62.
- Wells, M.(2015). A Christian perspective of the impact of spirituality on social justice in teaching the discipline of social work. The Foundry: Asbury University, https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/848.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
- Wells, M & Clifton, L (2018). Gatekeeping Non-Academic Issues in BSW Programs. 64th Annual Program Meeting Council on Social Work Education, Orlando, FL.
- Wells, M.( 2016). Attributes of Spirituality: Impact on Leadership in Social Work Education. NACSW Convention 2016, Cincinnati, OH
- Wells, M. & Bryson, S. (2016) The Significance of the Supervisory Relationship in Field Practicum. NACSW Convention 2016, Cincinnati, OH
- Wells, M & Clifton, L. (2015). Attributes of Spirituality: Impact on Leadership in Social Work Education. 61st Annual Program Meeting Council on Social Work Education, Denver, CO.
- Wells, M., Pruitt, S., Stone, J, & Sims, J. (2014) My Name is not “Dude!” Millennials: Increasing Professionalism for College and Career Success. Academic Leadership Academy, Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium.
- Wells, M. (May, 2013) “Quiet Charisma: Ideological Texture of Prisca and Aquila’s Portrait of Leadership.”, Roundtable for Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.
- Wells, M. (April, 2012). Preparing Students for Success in MSW Programs: Strategies for Faculty and Students, Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators, Asbury University.
- Wells, M. (September, 2011) Classroom Strategies for Preparing Future Leaders, Lilly Conference forCollege and University Teaching, Traverse City, MI.
- Wells, M. (March, 2011). Dealing Effectively With Loss, Grandparents as Parents Conference, Lexington, KY.
- Wells, M. (September, 2010). I don’t like to see myself. Lilly Conference on College and University Teaching, Traverse City, MI
