Alina M. Baltazar, PhD, MSW, LMSW, CFLE

Master of Social Work Program Director
Professor of Social Work

Dr. Baltazar has been at PLNU since 2024. As a clinical social worker for over 26 years
who has worked in multiple settings she brings a broad knowledge to the department as
she teaches courses in social work and sociology. Her professional background has
primarily focused on micro social work with an emphasis on medical social work and
counseling.

Certifications/Licensure

  • Licensed Clinical and Macro Social Worker in the state of Michigan I.D. No.
    6801070820
  • Certified Family Life Educator
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – Individual and Family

Education

  • PhD, Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University
  • Master of Social Work, University of Michigan
  • B.A., Psychology, Andrews University

Courses Taught

  • Social Work Practice I – SWK 3070
  • Sociology of the Family – SOC 2050

Experience in Field

  • Research Interest: Parental and religiosity influence on youth health risk behavior and mental health
  • Point Loma Nazarene University, Professor, 2024-present
  • Andrews University, Professor/MSW program director, 2011-2024
  • Life Coach Psychology, Berrien Springs, MI, part-time counselor, 2015-present (telehealth since 2024)
  • Secure Counseling, part-time out-reach counselor, 2008-2010
  • Spectrum Health Employee Assistance Program, part-time counselor, 2008-2009
  • Psychiatric and Psychological Specialties, St. Joseph, MI, part-time counselor, 2004-2015
  • Spectrum Health Psychiatric Services, on-call medical social worker, 2001-2013
  • Spectrum Health Home Care, medical social worker, 1996-2001

Awards and Honors

  • The Arthur and Maude Spalding Medallion was awarded to Alina Baltazar at the Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice on July 20, 2024, in recognition of her years of involvement in Family Ministries.
  • Member of Phi Kappa Phi, Psi Chi, Phi Alpha, and Sigma Xi National Honor Societies

Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications

 

Dissertation


Baltazar, A.M. (2015). Role of parents in college student regular alcohol use in the context of abstinent religiosity. ProQuest Dissertation Publishing. Retrieved
from: http://search.prquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/175225208/#27C3438E564459FP
Q/1?acc...


Recent Publications

  • Baltazar, A.M. & McBride, D.C. (2024). Role of parents and religiosity in regular alcohol use among Christian college students: A mixed method approach among two cohorts. Journal of Research in Christian Education, 23.
  • Baltazar, A.M. (2023). Self-harm: Warning signs, risk factors, and prevention. Journal of Family Research and Practice, 3(1), 13-26.
  • McBride, D.C., Bailey, K.G.D., Landless, P.M., Baltazar, A.M., Trim, D.J.B., & Stele, G. (2021). Health beliefs, behavior, spiritual growth and salvation in a global population of Seventh-day Adventists. Review of Religious Research, published online https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-021-00451-4
  • Drumm, R., Sedlacek, D., & Baltazar, A.M. (2020). “My life has been just like a big expectation.” Social Work & Christianity, 47(2), 86-104.


Recent Presentations

  • Baltazar, A.M. & Smith, T. (2024, October). Post-COVID stress and resilience on a Christian campus. Workshop resented at the North American Christian Social Work Conference. Dallas, TX.
  • Baltazar, A.M., Cantillano, Y., & Smith, T. (2024, July). Family communication patterns and the impact on youth’s mental health. Presented at the Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice. Berrien Springs, MI.
  • Baltazar, A.M. (2024, May). Health risk and protective factors in SDA young adults. Workshop presented at Adventist Human Subjects Researchers Association. Berrien Springs, MI.
  • McBride, D.C., Baltazar, A.M., Bailey, K.G., Trecartin, S., & Shiu E. (2024, March). Predictors of substance use, sex, and pornography abstinence in a Christian college population. Presented at Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters Annual Conference. Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI.
  • Baltazar, A.M. & McBride, D.C. (2023, November). Parental control and risky substance use in a Christian university population. Poster presented at National Council of Family Relations Conference. Orlando, FL.
  • Baltazar, A.M. (2023, July). The role parents play in preventing and treating self-harm/suicidality in teens and young adults. Workshop presented at Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice. Berrien Springs, MI.
  • Baltazar, A.M. & Baltazar, J.G. (2023, May). Video game effect: Good or bad? Presented at Adventist Human Subjects Researchers Association. Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Davis, S., Baltazar, A. and McBride, D.C. (2023, March). Differences in gender response to Adverse Childhood Experiences. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters Annual Conference. Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.
  • McBride, D.C., Baltazar, A.M., Trimm, D., Trecartin, S.M., and Bailey, K.G.D. (2022, November). Correlates of legalism in a global sample of Seventh-day Adventists. Society for the Scientific Study of Religion Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD.