Faculty

With a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, your professors will know you. They’re invested in helping you succeed. As you work towards your career goals, you will find your professors become more—they become your mentors who can help you along your journey, and ones you can still get advice from years after graduation.

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Psychology & Social Work

Libna Arroyo

Libna Arroyo, M.A.

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Profile
Libna Arroyo
Tel: 1-707-965-6530
Email: larroyo@puc.edu
Office: Hi Chan Shun 238D

Libna Arroyo, M.A.

Faculty Since 2021

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Libna Arroyo grew up as the daughter of a missionary pastor and a teacher. She lived in several countries in Central America, Canada, and several states of the United States of America. Libna graduated from Southern Adventist University with a BA in Psychology, a Minor in Spanish, and a Masters in School counseling. For the last 14 years, Libna has worked in all areas of education and counseling, across 7 states, as counselor in elementary, middle/high school, alternative and adult education, mental health centers and taught college in Denver, Colorado.

She is interested in pursuing a PH. D in either counselor education, developmental or cognitive psychology.

Libna has a passion for research in psychology and some of her research interests include: the correlation between child

development and technology, academic achievement among minority students in the USA, the correlation between childhood trauma, fear development and resiliency.

She is married to Jonathan, a hospital and Air Force chaplain and they have two children, Nolan, and Katherine, and live in Angwin.


Degrees

BA in Psychology, Southern Adventist University

2006

Minor in Spanish, Southern Adventist University

2006

MA in School Counseling, Souther Adventist University

2008

Michael Jefferson

Michael Jefferson, M.A.

Associate Professor of Psychology, Wellness Center Director

Profile
Michael Jefferson
Tel: 1-707-965-7080
Email: mjefferson@puc.edu
Office: Davidian Hall 109G

Michael Jefferson, M.A.

Faculty Since 2018

Associate Professor of Psychology, Wellness Center Director

Michael Jefferson grew up the son of a minister and nurse in the town of Ojai, California. Upon graduating from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, he received his master's degree in counseling psychology from Bowie State University in Maryland. After working two years for Social Services in Loudoun County, Virginia, Michael started working on a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at The Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He completed his internship in Washington, D.C., with Shambu N. Banik and Associates, former chair of the Presidents Counsel on Mental Retardation. Michael is currently completing his dissertation on the experience of interpersonal intimacy by the adult children of ministers. He teaches for both the psychology and social work department and ECE program at PUC. His mental health interest and training are in ADHD, depression, and men's issues. Michael and his wife, Kathy, have two boys, Christopher and Nicholas, and live in Angwin.


Degrees

B.S., Andrews University

...

M.A., Bowie State University

1996

Damaris Perez

Damaris Perez, M.S.W. - Chair

Social Work Program Director and Chair of Psychology & Social Work

Profile
Damaris Perez
Tel: 1-707-965-6546
Email: dperez@puc.edu
Office: Davidian Hall 109D

Damaris Perez, M.S.W. - Chair

Faculty Since 2017

Social Work Program Director and Chair of Psychology & Social Work

Before entering academia, Damaris was a hospice social worker for the top provider in the United States for 4 years. Before entering the world of hospice, she  served as a bilingual therapist, case manager and intake coordinator at a Federally Qualified Healthcare center in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the sole Spanish-speaking therapist on staff, Damaris primarily worked with the Latino and Hispanic population. She provided psychosocial services to survivors of domestic violence, facilitated parenting groups and therapy to individuals, families, and children. Her first work after graduate school was providing services to over 100+ dialysis patients at the #1 Dialysis provider in the United States.  

Damaris' research interests include the correlation of medical ailments and emotional health. One of her greatest passions is empowering social work students and advancing the field of Social Work. Her goal is for her students to be better social workers than her. As Field Placement Coordinator, Damaris is responsible for placing each senior Social Work major in a local community internship where they provide a minimum of 420 hours of work. Popular placements include Domestic Violence shelters, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and Foster Care. Most PUC social work graduates continue pursuing their education by obtaining a Master's degree. Many gain employment in for and non-profit agencies.


Degrees

B.S.W., Pacific Union College

2007

M.S.W., Walla Walla University

2010

Tuwan Ussery White

Tuwan Ussery White, M.S.W, M.A.P.M.

Assistant Professor of Social Work & Director of Field Experience

Profile
Tuwan Ussery White
Tel: 1-707-965-6533
Email: tuwhite@puc.edu
Office: 109 Davidian Hall

Tuwan Ussery White, M.S.W, M.A.P.M.

Faculty Since 2021

Assistant Professor of Social Work & Director of Field Experience

Tuwan Ussery earned his master's in social work and pastoral ministry from Andrews University. Prior to coming to PUC, Tuwan instructed behavioral sciences courses at SAU & Belhaven University and pastored in Atlanta. Those interests have continued at PUC as Tuwan currently serves in the psychology and social work department, and he continues to preach itinerantly for church groups on topics of social justice and community empowerment.

In addition to teaching, Tuwan serves as diversity, equity and inclusion officer & director of service learning. Professional affiliations include the National Association of Black Social Workers & National Youth and Leadership Conference for Service Learning.

Tuwan enjoys spending family time with his wife and their four kids, and his favorite Bible verse is John 10:10: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.


Degrees

M.S.W., Andrews University

2007

M.A.P.A., Andrews University

2014

Benjamin Zinke

Benjamin Zinke, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor of Psychology

Profile
Benjamin Zinke
Tel: 1-707-965-6534
Email: azinke@puc.edu
Office: Davidian Hall

Benjamin Zinke, Ph.D.

Faculty Since 2021

Adjunct Professor of Psychology

Dr. Zinke (Dr. Z) received a PhD in Family Studies from Loma Linda University in 2012 and has been a licensed marriage and family therapist since 2013. He worked as a child custody mediator at the San Bernardino Court for the past seven years. Additionally, he has been an adjunct professor at La Sierra University teaching undergraduate psychology classes since 2018. His prior experience includes nine years providing CPS mandated, low SES and diverse clients with individual, couples and family therapy as well as anger management, parenting and co-parenting classes. During the 2020 lockdown, he started an online business as a financial coach to empower people to reduce their financial stress.


Degrees

Bachelors in Social Work, La Sierra

2003

Masters in Marital and Family Therapy, Loma Linda

2006

PhD in Family Studies, Loma Linda

2012