Betty Tonui

Betty Tonui is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Oakland University. Her work focuses on mental health disparities among immigrants and refugees, social determinants of health, and community-based interventions. She teaches courses on human behavior in social environments, multicultural social work, and refugee policy. Her research emphasizes cultural perceptions of mental health, acculturation challenges, and the impact of social isolation on immigrant populations.

Key research areas include:

• Immigrant and refugee mental health interventions
• Social determinants of health equity
• Community-based participatory research methodologies

Her publications from 2020-2025 highlight innovative studies on refugee resettlement challenges, the efficacy of school-based violence prevention programs, and intersectional frameworks for disaster response. She is affiliated with the Society for Social Work and Research and the Council on Social Work Education.

Betty’s work bridges academic research with practical social work interventions, particularly addressing the needs of marginalized populations through culturally responsive approaches.