Maria V. Wathen

Maria V. Wathen is an Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago with contact details including email (mwathen@luc.edu) and office location in Maguire Hall 558.

Education

• Joint PhD in Social Work & Sociology, University of Michigan
• Master of Social Work, University of Michigan
• Master in Sociology, University of Michigan
• M.A. in English, Northern Illinois University
• B.A. in Sociology, Wheaton College

Research Interests

Dr. Wathen specializes in grassroots NGOs' influence on policy and service provision within emerging democracies, with secondary focus on poverty-driven child/family outcomes and public policy impacts across public-private service programs. Her work integrates civil society development frameworks with global comparative social policy analysis, emphasizing practical applications in post-Soviet contexts derived from extensive fieldwork.

Professional Experience

Boasting 11 years of residency in Russia and seminar instruction across Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Dr. Wathen bridges academic and practical domains through clinical social work, nonprofit leadership, and business consultancy. She teaches core courses including Social Work with Individuals and Families (SOWK 301/503), Organizational Leadership (SOWK 652), and Advanced Statistics (SOWK 811), leveraging international experience to inform curriculum development in social service management.