Faculty

Katharina Werner

Director of Field Education, Clinical Associate Professor

Contact

Office
023 Jeannette Rankin Hall
Phone
(406) 243-5589
Email
katharina.werner@mso.umt.edu
Office Hours

 

- By appointment

- Zoom and in person appointments available throughout regular academic year; please email to schedule 

Curriculum Vitae
View/Download CV

Personal Summary

Kat was born and raised in Nuremberg, Germany and brought her passion for social justice and all things outdoors to the United States more than ten years ago. She is an avid world traveler and adventure seeker who loves exploring Montana’s mountains, rivers, and woods.

Education

Kat graduated from Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen/ Nuremberg in Germany, with a BA in English and Sociology in 2007. She received her Master of Social Work from the University of Montana in 2012 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Social Work Practice (SW 200 - in person)

Advanced Practice I (SW 487 - online and in person)

Advanced Practice II (SW 488 - online and in person)

Social Policy and Social Services (SW 310 - online and in person)

Public Policy and the Montana State Legislature 2019 (SW 491)

Women's Policy Leadership Institute (SW 491.03)

Foundation Integrative Seminar I & II (SW 576/ SW 577)

Professional Portfolio - MSW Student Advisor (SW 593)

Social Work Orientation (SW 500 - online)

Social Justice & Integration - German Perspectives on Refugee Resettlement (Study Abroad Course, Berlin/ Germany)

Franke Global Leadership Initiative - Capstone Mentor (GBLD 499)

Publications

Lee, K.W., Chapin, K.P., Werner, K. (2019) Book Review: The Spectrum of Family Caregiving for Adults and Elders with Chronic Ilness. 

Podcast: The Montana Minute - Human Trafficking 

Professional Experience

Katharina Werner (Kat) worked in the social services field for over 15 years and has extensive experience supporting women, children, and families affected by primary and secondary trauma, homelessness, domestic and sexual violence, commercial sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. She worked at the YWCA Missoula for eight years and coordinated a program for homeless families, oversaw the women’s shelter, and acted as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Program Manager. During her time at the YWCA, she helped start the Missoula Human Trafficking Task Force and served as the task force Chair for seven years. In addition to her direct service experience, she developed and facilitated trainings on the issues of commercial sexual exploitation, trauma-informed care, and trauma exposure response to spread awareness and educate community advocates, law enforcement and medical personnel, and community members across Montana.

Through her direct service and program management work, Kat was able to build both experience in and a passion for social policy and civic engagement. She served on the National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign (also known as Voting is Social Work) which strives to integrate nonpartisan voter registration and engagement into social work education and practice. Kat, an immigrant to the United States from Germany, brings a global lens to her social work practice and teaching. She has engaged in social justice efforts in Germany, India, and parts of SE Asia and teaches a study abroad course in Berlin focusing on refugee resettlement and social justice.

Honors / Awards

2020     University of Montana - Outstanding Performance Award Recipient 

2019     University of Montana - Student Wellness Advocate Nomination & Recognition 

2012     Recipient of the Counselor, Advocate and Support Staff Scholarship through the Women’s Independent Scholarship Program (WISP) 

2011     Recipient of the Pat Williams Scholarship for Internships and Research in the Areas of Public Policy and Leadership 

2011     Recipient of the IE3 Global Internship Scholarship Award