The Community and Human Services (CHS) provides academic preparation for students who plan further study and careers in human services, nonprofit administration, social work, community development, and psychology.

It focuses on building student understanding of helping skills, such as assessment and problem-solving, which are used in services ranging from case management to community development. The program fosters an interdisciplinary approach to empowering communities and developing the knowledge and skills necessary for the provision of social services. Students can explore and articulate how their faith life informs their chosen academic and professional pathways.

Program Student Learning Goals
  • Students can identify and analyze the forces that create social need, as well as mechanisms and strategies that address those needs.  
  • Students possess the foundational skill-set required to serve as high-quality human services professionals and can identify a personal professional fit (or absence thereof) with the field. 
  • Students can articulate how her/his Christian faith life informs her/his chosen academic and professional pathways in the community and human services field. 
  • Students can perform college-level academic research in the community and human services field.
Curriculum (focus on Social Work)
Curriculum (focus on Psychology)
FIELD EXPERIENCE

The field experience is an essential element of the Esperanza College program for students to gain first-hand experience in the Community and Human Services field. This is a valuable part of an Esperanza College education as it provides students with the opportunity to put their classroom knowledge into practice in the professional world.

Students in the community and human services concentration complete a mandatory 42–45-hour field experience in a community or government agency. Some of these experiences have included assisting in counseling, client intake, working with clients, and assessment. Students can expect to gain invaluable experience, connections, and an understanding of the workings of the field.

Upon matriculation into the program, students will be informed of field experience placement and timeline from the Director of the concentration.

Examples of field experience have included the following:

NOTE: The above list features places where students have worked for field experience. Field experience is NOT considered an internship since it is a volunteer experience.

Four Year Plan

The Community and Human Services program provides a strong foundation for further coursework towards a bachelor’s degree. Upon completing their associate degree at Esperanza College, students can continue towards their bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution. The exact number of credits transferred is determined by each receiving institution, but those who choose to continue within Eastern University can do so without missing a beat: the two years of undergraduate work along with the initial prerequisites of the program will be counted toward the degree without any loss of credits.  Graduates in community and human services are prepared for further coursework towards a bachelor’s degree through Eastern University in the following areas of the social sciences:

Career Path

Many of our students are interested in working for government and community agencies as case and care managers, social work assistants, housing counselors, and non-profit administrators.

Faculty

Dr. Gladys Ramirez-Wrease, Program Director

Dr. Gladys Ramirez-Wrease, Program Director

Gladys Ramirez-Wrease, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Success at Esperanza College where her primary responsibility is to provide strategic leadership for the academic and student success programs of the college ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission and its student-centric orientation.  With more than 10 years of experience in higher education focusing on the development and management of student success programs, Dr. Ramirez-Wrease seeks to equip individuals with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in a competitive global market. She recently served as the Director of Tutoring and Supplemental Support Services at Delaware County Community College where her emphasis was on creating a student-centered learning environment.  Previously, she served as the Program Coordinator for the East Gateway Triangle Neighborhood Revitalization Plan in the City of Chester, PA focusing on addressing quality of life issues. She has also provided training on soft skills, study skills, change management, customer service, leadership, communication, diversity, business plan, and development, as well as teamwork.

Doris Acevedo

Doris Acevedo

Courses taught

  • SOWK 105 | Introduction to Social Work
  • SOWK 110 | Human Diversity and Social Interaction

Danielle Vivas

Danielle Vivas

Courses taught

  • SOCI 100 | Introduction to Sociology
  • PSYC 100 | General Psychology
  • PSYC 207 | Lifespan Development

Delvia Berrian

Delvia Berrian

Delvia Y. Berrian is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She is a graduate of Temple University College of Public Health School of Social Work.  She earned her bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work.  She also earned a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary.

Delvia has served as a child welfare advocate for nearly three decades. It has always been her passion to inspire women and girls to strive to reach their greatest potential.

Delvia is the author of Beauty for Ashes: Freedom from the Wrong Touch and Beauty for Ashes: Messages of Hope an Anthology. She is also the founder of PRESS for Kingdom Living, an organization committed to empowering young girls and women.  Her goal is support them by offering workshops, coaching and other events that help them to live God-fearing lives, while overcoming life’s challenges. Ultimately, she wants to see women catapulted into their God-given purposes.

Courses taught

  • INST 225 | Community Development Seminar
Menu