Lisa Borchardt, C.M.S.W., L.M.H.P., L.C.S.W.

Lisa Borchardt began teaching in the Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work department as an adjunct instructor at Nebraska Wesleyan University in the Spring 2000 semester. She was hired as an Assistant Professor & Field Director of Social Work at Nebraska Wesleyan University in August 2002. Since then she has become a tenured faculty member and promoted to Full Professor of Social Work. In 2009 she was named Program Director of the Social Work Program. The Social Work Program became its own Department in Spring 2011. Lisa served as the Department Chair from the Department's inception until fall 2013. Professor Borchardt will again assume the role of Undergraduate Program Director Fall 2020. She also serves as teaching faculty in the Gender & Sexuality Studies Department at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Lisa’s practice and research interests include; Loss, Grief & Death, Disaster Mental Health & Crisis Response, Child Abuse, Child Protection & Safety, Diversity Issues, Domestic Violence, and Prevention Programs. She has spent 31 years in the field as a social worker advocating for, empowering and educating individuals in various roles (Case Manager, Counselor, Psychotherapist, Program Director, Training Coordinator, & Professor).

Professor Borchardt has traveled to Canada, Singapore and Thailand to study teaching strategies, techniques and program assessments of poverty alleviation projects. She has received funding through the Ameritas Faculty Fellowship, White International Funds and Faculty Development Grants. Lisa has studied with Dr. Alan Wolfelt at his Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, CO.

Lisa's current research interest includes loss and grief in sports and the Yazidi population. During the 2017-2018 academic year Lisa conducted an IRB approved research study about loss, grief, and strengths in the lives of the student athlete at NWU. "Loss in Division III Sports: A Photovoice Narrative of Loss and Grief in Student-Athletes at Nebraska Wesleyan University" produced eight themes from the study providing insight for faculty, staff, coaches, student-athletes, and parents. Lisa was accepted to present her innovative research at the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports Annual Conference in Orlando, Fl., she was named the NWU 2018-2019 Faculty Scholar of the Year, and continues to present her research locally and regionally at conferences, to civic organizations, sports teams & coaches, and constituents on campus.

In the fall of 2019 Lisa collaborated with Dr. Michelle Johnson, RN, conducting a research project with Yazidi women. The IRB approved research study, "Exploring Linking Objects and the Mourning Process Experienced by Yazidi Women" produced four themes (transgenerational fear, being silenced, equality & freedom, and new life) providing great insight into the ways health care professionals can work together on interdisciplinary teams to support individuals in this population on their grief journeys. Professor Borchardt & Dr. Johnson were accepted to present their research at the 2020 North American Refugee Health Conference.