Michael J.S. Barga works with U.S. military veterans for the Department of Veteran's Affairs.  Prior to this position, he served soldiers who were wounded, ill, or injured and were transitioning either back to duty or to permanent veteran's status and separation from the Army.  For four years, Mr. Barga worked with formerly homeless individuals and families as a case manager for Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless in Gaithersburg, MD. He is a 2013 graduate of Catholic University’s MSW Program with a Clinical Health Concentration.

Deacon Ronnie received both his MSW and PhD degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa (90 and 98). He is a native of Guam, USA and a licensed social worker in the State of Washington.  He is on faculty with the University of Washington, Tacoma.  Ordained a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam in 2003, he is an extern deacon in the Archdiocese of Seattle where he serves in Inclusion and Mental Health Ministry.  He is the Chairperson for the Council on Mental Illness and Wellness with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD).

At Briar Cliff University, Melanie works with students in both the online and campus Bachelor of Social Work programs. Melanie holds a Masters in Pastoral Studies from St. Ambrose University, in Davenport, Iowa and a Masters in Social Work, from University of Iowa. Prior to BCU, Melanie worked at St. Jude Hospice, where she was Vice President of Mission, Ethics and Benefits. Melanie holds a certification in Catholic Bioethics at the National Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, PA. Melanie is well versed and has expertise in grief and bereavement. Her passions are gerontology practices and meeting the needs of the aging population. Melanie continues to provide in end of life care as a PRN social worker for Trinity Health Care.

Caitlin received her MSW from Fordham University in 2021 after completing her BSW at Briar Cliff University in 2020. She is now under supervision pursuing clinical licensure while working for a local behavioral health organization as a school-based mental health clinician. In addition to her Catholic faith, Caitlin is passionate about youth and families, rural mental health, and animal-assisted therapies.