معرفی
Curtis J VanderWaal serves as Chair and Professor of Social Work at Andrews University, where he has taught since 1990. He also directs the Center for Community Impact Research at the Institute for Prevention of Addictions and serves on multiple community boards including Riverwood Center and Corewell Health Hospite and Palliative Care. His academic journey began with a BS from Andrews University, followed by an MSW from the University of Michigan (1987), and a PhD from Case Western Reserve University (1995).
Dr. VanderWaal's research spans several interconnected areas with a focus on substance abuse treatment & prevention, social capital, faith-based ministries, program evaluation, and faith-based LGBT issues. His work frequently examines the intersection of religious communities and social issues, particularly regarding mental health and substance abuse. Recent projects have explored mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ students at faith-based universities, community impact through participatory research methods, and addressing social determinants of health for patients with chronic conditions.
His research output demonstrates strong trends in community-engaged scholarship, with significant emphasis on practical applications of social work research. Many projects involve collaborations with community organizations like the United Way of Southwest Michigan, where he has led evaluations involving over 150 students since 2010. His recent publications show increasing focus on LGBTQ+ issues within conservative religious contexts, mental health outcomes, and interdisciplinary approaches to trauma-informed education.
- J.N. Andrews Medallion (2014)
- Sigfried H. Horn Scholarly Research Award (2012)
- Student Advising Award from Andrews University (1992)
- Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award (1998)
- Andrews University Teacher of the Year award (1999)
- Inducted into Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
- Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- Inducted into Phi Alpha Honor Society
Dr. VanderWaal has secured significant research funding throughout his career, with over 30 funded projects totaling more than $175,000 in recent United Way evaluations alone. He currently serves as Principal Investigator for multiple active grants including the United Way Turning Outward Evaluation ($14,000) and the Trauma-Informed Academic Partnership Grant ($50,000). His funding sources include prestigious organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Institute of Justice, and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has mentored over 150 students in research activities, with many becoming co-authors on presentations and publications.
As Director of the Center for Community Impact Research, Dr. VanderWaal leads a team conducting program evaluations and community needs assessments. The center partners with organizations like the United Way of Southwest Michigan to evaluate programs in health, basic needs, education, and income. Recent work includes the Community Conversations project, which used focus groups and surveys to understand community priorities across 159 participants in Southwestern Michigan. The center provides valuable hands-on research experience for social work students while delivering actionable insights to community stakeholders.
