PSU History
Julie Kates, LCSW, Assistant Professor of Practice earned her MSW at PSU in 1995. She has been employed by the School of Social Work on the Field Education Program since 2007 and was hired as the Director of Field Education in 2014.
Experience
Julie has been a faculty member, specializing in field education, in the School of Social Work since 2007. After being appointed as the Assistant Director of field In January 2009, she then became the Director of Field Education, Assistant Professor of Practice in 2014. Prior to becoming a faculty at the PSU School of Social Work, Julie worked as a community-based social worker for nine years in both clinical and administrative leadership roles.
Academic/Research Interest
Professor Kates is responsible for providing administrative oversight of field education within the MSW and BSW programs. She has worked intentionally and strategically to build an effective and successful program which has an external impact across the PSU campus, throughout Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and the national social work field education communities. Through her collaborative and dedicated leadership, the Field Education Program has focused on generative curriculum and program development that moved beyond just meeting the accreditation standards. Professor Kates is passionate about ethically driven, competency-based social work field education that supports students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to practice effectively. The Field Education Program maintains a commitment to centering racial equity and social justice in field education while simultaneously meeting all standards.
Personal Interests
Spending time with family (including her dog, a large breed St. Berdoodle), cooking, taking long walks with her best friends, exercising, and volunteering at community events.