Barb J. Burdge

Chair, Dept. of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology
Director and Field Instruction Coordinator, Social Work Program
Professor of Social Work
ACEN 214
260-982-5365
bjburdge@manchester.edu

Ph.D., Social Work (Gender Studies minor), Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 2013
M.S.W., Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 1998
B.A., Psychology (Music minor), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1994

I came to Manchester University in 2003 and knew immediately I had found my place. I have several years of direct social work practice experience in the fields of child welfare and mental health. My areas of interest include diversity education for social justice and social work practice with the LGBTQ community.

In my life outside of campus, my partner, Marsha, and I have restored a Civil War-era home that has been in my family for five generations. We were able to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I love to travel, too, and have spent time in many parts of the U.S. (only 3 states to go!) plus Paraguay, Argentina, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Jamaica, The Netherlands, Wales, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the Isle of Man. My next international journeys will be to Italy and Scandinavia. Spending time outside is important to me, so I go camping several times a year, bicycle and swim often, and work long hours in my yard. I am an animal lover, too. We have two dogs, two cats, and two horses.

Barb teaches: 
SOWK 110 Introduction to Social Work
SOWK 275 Practicum in Human Services 
SOWK 375 Social Work Practice II:  Individuals, Families, and Groups
SOWK 475 Field Instruction
SOWK 476 Field Instruction Seminar
FYWS 111 LGBTQ+ Identities and Inclusion (First Year Writing Seminar) 
GNST 125 Introduction to Gender Studies
GNST 201 Introduction to Queer Studies

Alicia L. Dailey

Assistant Professor of Social Work
ACEN 212 
260-982-5366
aldailey@manchester.edu

Ph.D., Social Work,University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 2015
M.S.S.W., Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 2008
M.Div., Social Work, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, 1995
M.A., Biblical Studies, International School of Theology, San Bernadino, CA, 1985
B.A., Sociology, DePauw College, Greencastle, IN, 1979

I am originally from Indianapolis, IN and am most recently from Louisville, KY.  Prior to coming to Manchester University in August 2017, I was an adjunct professor and worked on a research team at the University of Louisville.

One of the things that attracted me to Manchester was that I was interested in teaching “macro” social work courses that prepare students to be change agents in organizations, communities and society.  Part of the macro perspective involves analyzing and changing social policies in systems such as education, employment, housing, criminal justice and health care so that the United States can truly become a country “with justice for all.” One published article I have co-authored is about the social injustice that exists between grocery stores in predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods and those in predominantly black, low-income neighborhoods. It is entitled, “Brown Lettuce and Rodent Traps, Granola and Trees: A Qualitative Study of an Experiential Teaching Tool to Promote Socially Just Practice.” It is published in The Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 48-55.

I am an ordained Baptist minister. In the past, I pastored a church in Kokomo, IN and am currently an associate minister of a church in Louisville, KY. Since the social work profession began in the Church, I seek opportunities to integrate my faith with social work ethics and values.

One of my research interests concerns the African American Church.  I am a co-author of an article entitled, “Suffering in Silence: Child Sexual Molestation and the Black Church: If God Don’t Help Me Who Can I Turn To?” This article is published in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 147-157, DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2014.956962. I have also studied the role of the African American Church during the Civil Rights Movement and would like study what the its current role is in the continuing struggle for civil rights.

As far as hobbies are concerned, I enjoy listening to and playing gospel music on the organ and flute. I have played my flute in many churches and have been a church organist. I also delight in watching “retro” TV programs. One of my favorite series is Star Trek! Yes, I am a Trekkie!

Alicia teaches: 
SOWK 110 Introduction to Social Work
SOC/SOWK 228 Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Inequality
SOC/SOWK 275 Practicum in Human Services (general social work placements)
SOWK 366 Social Welfare Policy
SOWK 384 Social Work Practice III:  Organizations and Communities
SOWK 477 Social Work Practice IV:  Synthesizing a Professional Identity

J. Jared Friesen

Assistant Professor of Sociology
ACEN 216
260-982-5009
jjfriesen@manchester.edu

Ph.D., Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2018
M.A., Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 2002
B.A., Psychology, Huntington University, Huntington, IN, 1998

I grew up in Northeast Indiana and I am excited to be able to call this region home again. I was drawn to teaching at Manchester University because of its mission and values challenging students to live “compassionate lives that improve the human condition.”

Prior to returning to graduate school to pursue a doctorate in sociology I worked for 13 years in student development including residence life, new student orientation, and campus diversity. While most of this work was at three other liberal arts colleges, I also spent three years living with my family and working as the director of an environmental study abroad program for college students in Belize, Central America.

My current research interest is the intersection of rural sociology and education. I am also broadly interested in community development, environmental and social justice, and the social aspects of food production and consumption.

Outside of my work on campus I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, bird-watching, and attending sporting events. 

I came to Manchester as a visiting faculty member in the fall of 2016.

Jared teaches:
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 210 Urban-Rural Dynamics
SOC/SOWK 222 Social Research Methods
SOC 275 Practicum in Sociology
SOC 240 Sociological Theory
SOC 305 Self and Society
SOC 313 Cultural Ecology
SOC 324 Qualitative Research Methods
SOC 333 Sexuality and Gender in Society
SOC 345 Class, Status, and Power
SOC 347 Sociology of Religion
SOC 351 Community and Environmental Sociology
SOC 440 Senior Seminar 

Jennifer Cheek

Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology
260-982-5078
ACEN 208
jacheek@manchester.edu 

Ph.D., Sociology, Mississippi State University
M.S., Applied Sociology, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2008
B.A., Psychology, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2004

I grew up in the southern region of the United States, moving often. I was born in Houston, TX, grew up outside of Richmond, Virginia, before moving to GA, and finally settling in the New Orleans area with my family of origin. I went to three different high schools in three different states. This unique experience taught me how society and culture influence human behaviors. I have since lived in Starkville, MS; Chicago, IL; and Nashville, TN before moving to North Manchester.

I came to Manchester University in Fall 2021 with over eight years of teaching experience in Sociology and Criminology. I was interested in Manchester University because of its mission and values to encourage students to “lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.” Prior to teaching, I lived in New Orleans and worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities ensuring they had adequate services. I also previously taught a plant-based healthy eating course, Health Starts Here, at Whole Foods. My teaching and research interests are in social stratification and crime; victimology; human trafficking and gendered violence; and international crime. My research has been published in Societies without Borders.

Outside of my work, I try to get outdoors and be active as often as possible. I run, bike, hike, kayak, and camp. I am currently training for a 10k run. This summer, I went on a cross-country solo camping trip where I visited 7 National Parks, and several cities and states. I love to travel and have visited most U.S. states (only 14 to go!), Mexico and Costa Rica. Next summer, I plan to embark on a cross-country camping trip in Canada. I also thoroughly enjoy creating art, cooking, baking, and listening to music. I have a 16-year-old rat terrier, Ollie.

Professor Cheek teaches: 
CRIM 210 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRIM 275 Practicum in Criminology
CRIM 244 Criminal Behavior
CRIM 310 Victimology
CRIM 340 Adolescence & Juvenile Justice
CRIM 440 Senior Seminar
CRIM 496 Directed Research
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 324 Quantitative Research Methods 
SOSC 110 Civic Engagement

Cheri Krueckeberg

Associate Professor of Social Work
Director, Gerontology Program
260-982-5371
ACEN 216
ckrueckeberg@manchester.edu

M.Div., McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, 1980
M.S.W., Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 1992

B.A., Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1976

Prior to coming to Manchester in 2004, I worked over 25 years in human services, primarily in Illinois (Chicago and Champaign-Urbana) and Washington, DC.  In my early 20s, it was a life-changing experience to live in the Philippines for two years, the beginning of a deeper search for social justice and a world with more compassion.

In work, I have done outpatient therapy, directed a shelter for homeless families on Chicago’s south side, worked in home-based services, as chaplain at Cook County Jail, counseled adult and adolescent sex offenders and survivors of assault, and worked as clinical supervisor and training director in a large residential treatment center for troubled teens. With elders, I’ve worked in many ways – support staff for S.U.S.I. (Seniors United for Social Improvement) on Chicago’s South Side, counselor for elders in inpatient psychiatric center after suicide attempts, facilitator of reminiscence groups for older women, counselor for elders with chronic or terminal illness, and with grandparents who were primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

Special interests in social work and gerontology are many:  social and economic justice, healthcare reform, cross-cultural relations, poverty, prevention, conflict transformation, reminiscence and life review, brain health, effective counseling with challenging clients, interventions for anxiety and depression, spirituality, advocacy for elders of color and older women, intergenerational relationships, and exploring the vast potential of elders to contribute meaningfully to society.  I’ve taught yoga to delinquent youth, at MU, at a nearby retreat center, and am faculty advisor to the campus Namaste Yoga Club.

Outside of work I enjoy time with my large family (mostly around Fort Wayne), swimming, gardening, yoga, weaving and spending time in nature.  I did much care for my elderly father for many years before his death, which was quite meaningful.  I love to travel, especially to New Mexico and northern Michigan, and loved a recent trip to Ireland to learn more about peace-building and about my own heritage. I volunteer on the boards of ECR (Education for Conflict Resolution) and the Garber Simmons Senior Center in town, where I have taught yoga since spring of 2007 (my oldest student was 91!) 

I love meeting so many interesting students at this university, and helping them grow, learn, and live out their dreams.  There has been much opportunity here to teach and work with colleagues about things I care about.  Every day is a new adventure in growth toward more knowledge and compassion.

Cheri teaches: 
SOC/SOWK 102 Human Conflict
SOWK 110 Introduction to Social Work:  Service, Empowerment, and Justice
SOC/SOWK 220 Social Gerontology
SOWK 274 Social Work Practice I:  Becoming a Skilled Helper
SOWK 275 Practicum in Human Services
SOWK 334 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SOWK 350 Policy and Practice Issues in Social Welfare (health care)
SOWK 385 Seminar:  Trauma Basics
INTD T38 Wellness Practices from East & West
INTD 450 Advanced Studies in Gerontology