Biography

Curtis VanderWaal, MSW, Ph.D., is Chair and Professor of Social Work at Andrews University, where he has taught since 1990.  He is also Director of the Center for Community Impact Research at the Institute for Prevention of Addictions.  He teaches classes in program evaluation, substance abuse treatment, group therapy, and values & ethics.  The majority of his research has focused on substance abuse treatment & prevention, social capital, faith-based ministries, agency program evaluations, and faith-based LGBT issues.  He has been involved in over 30 funded research projects, including funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, the DeVos Family Foundations, the United Way of Southwest Michigan, and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  He has authored or co-authored over 30 peer reviewed journal articles or book chapters and participated in more than 90 peer reviewed research presentations and poster sessions.  He currently serves on the editorial board of the journal "Social Work and Christianity."  He is also a board member for Riverwood Center, the community mental health center for Berrien County.

Prior to coming to Andrews University, VanderWaal was a counselor at a community mental health center in Michigan.  He received his Master of Social Work (MSW) in 1987 from The University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. in 1995 from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. VanderWaal is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Council on Social Work Education.  He has been inducted into the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Honor Societies. He received the J.N. Andrews Medallion (2014), the Sigfried H. Horn Scholarly Research Award (2012), Student Advising Award from Andrews University (1992), the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award (1998) and the Andrews University Teacher of the Year award (1999).

Current Research or Professional Activities

(*indicates students)

VanderWaal, C.J. and various students.  Since 2010, Curt VanderWaal and over 150 students have worked with the United Way of Southwest Michigan to evaluate a wide variety of funded programs in the areas of health, basic needs, education, and income. Combined evaluation projects have been funded for over $175,000.  The latest project is the United Way Community Conversations Evaluation. The purpose of the project was to better understand the priorities of community members in Southwestern Michigan.  When discussions among businesses, nonprofits, government and philanthropic organizations take place concerning community impact, a key voice is often left out of the conversation: members directly representing different groups in the community who have active roles in creating effective and lasting community solutions. To address this gap, the United Way conducted 15 focus groups and collected 159 surveys to explore community concerns, needs, and priorities.  Curt VanderWaal led a team of 26 Master’s level students in the analysis of these data and then wrote a comprehensive report that has been distributed to community groups for discussion and development of funding and policy priorities.

VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S., & *Williams, Morgan. - The Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) partnered with the regional healthcare system, Corewell Health South, to address the challenges and barriers that exist in the complex care ecosystem for older adults in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan. The overall goal of the CoC is to create a person-centered community of care that integrates medical interventions with home-based supports and services to serve complex care older adults who are over age 65.  Curt VanderWaal and his evaluation team are coordinating the mixed-method evaluation of this multi-year intervention through a series of surveys, focus groups, and clinical data analyses to examine the outcomes of this program.

VanderWaal, C.J. (Co-Principal Investigator), Sedlacek, D., Lane, L.* & Carbonell, N.. Coming to terms with one’s sexual identity is a particularly complex process for Christian LGBT+ youth, many of whom are at high risk for negative outcomes such as depression, substance abuse and suicide. Many Christian families are just beginning to actively wrestle with how to view and treat their LGBT+ children. This survey of 310 Seventh-day Adventist adult Millennials explored perceived levels of their family’s acceptance or rejection of their sexual orientation or gender identity during their teen years. Other variables included recent levels of self-esteem, social support, depression, substance abuse, high-risk sexual activity, and suicidal thinking or attempts.  Findings showed generally low levels of family acceptance and support, as well as elevated rates of depression and at-risk thoughts and behaviors.  A high proportion of respondents have retained strong spiritual commitment and moderate church involvement.

Recent (2019-present) Peer Review Publications: (*indicates student co-author)

Hopkins, G., McBride, D.C., VanderWaal, C.J., Baltazar, A., & Landless, P. (2023, May).  Medical marijuana considerations for Seventh-day Adventists.  Commissioned by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Health Ministries Department.  Available:  https://www.healthministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/medical-marijuana-considerations-for-seventh-day-adventists.pdf

Furst, T., VanderWaal, C.J., Baltazar, A., & McBride, D.C. (In press).  Mental Health Status and Suicidality among Bisexual and Heterosexual Students at a Conservative Faith-Based University.  Journal of Research in Christian Education

Trecartin, S., VanderWaal, C.J., Sedlacek, D., & Drumm, R. (2022).  Depression and Suicidality: Risk and Protective Factors Found in LGBTQ+ Millennials Raised Seventh-day Adventist.  Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health,  https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2022.2138670

Drumm, R.D., Sedlacek, D., VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S., & Carbonell, N. (2020, August). “Life is getting better”: Understanding stabilizing factors in conservative Christian families post-coming out. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428x.2020.1800544. 

Recent (2019 – present) Peer Review Presentations and Posters: (*indicates student co-author)

Hamilton, L., VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S., & Young, D. (May 2023).  “Exploring Psycho-Social Training Needs of Pastors”.  Presented at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, May 23-27, 2023.

McBride, D.C., Baltazar, A.M., VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S., Bailey, K. & Hopkins, G. (May 2023).  “Trends in Substance Use in a Prohibitionist University Compared to General College Populations.”  Presented at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, May 23-27, 2023.

Slikkers, I., Joseph, J., Young, D., & VanderWaal, C.J. (May 2023). “Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Faculty”. Presented at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, May 23-27, 2023.

VanderWaal, C.J., & VanderWaal, E.D. (May 2023).  “Using focus groups and qualitative surveys to understand the aspirations, challenges and solutions of under-represented
community groups in a tri-county region.”  Presented at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, May 23-27, 2023.

Sedlacek, D., VanderWaal, C.J., Drumm, R., & Trecartin, S. (October, 2022).  “Walking the Tightrope: Developing LGBTQ+ Resources on Christian Campuses.  Presented at the North American Association of Christians in Social Work Conference, Oak Brook, IL.

Sedlacek, D., VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S., & Drumm, R. (October, 2022).  “From Their Voices: Advancing Equity for Families and Their LGBTQ+ Children”.  Presented at the 2022 Together for Families Conference (virtual).

Davis, D., Baltazar, A.M., VanderWaal, C.J., Trecartin, S. (May, 2022).  “Berrien College Access Network: Focus Group Evaluation.  Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference. Advent Health University, Orlando, FL, May 18-21, 2022.

Trecartin, S., VanderWaal, C.J., Drumm, R. & Sedlacek, D. (May 2022).   “I struggled with depression, self-injury, and was suicidal”: How Religious Practices Help LGBTQ+ Adventist Millennials.” Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association Annual Conference. Advent Health University, Orlando, FL, May 18-21, 2022.

Duane C. McBride, Myrnaliza Tan, Alina M. Baltazar, Curtis J. VanderWaal, Karl G. D. Bailey, and Stephen Eccles. "Trends in alcohol abstinence and religiosity as a protective correlate in a faith-based university." Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters Annual Conference, Alma College (virtual). March 11, 2022.

Rene D. Drumm, David Sedlacek, Curtis J. VanderWaal, and Shannon M. Trecartin. “Coming out made our family better: Christian family dynamics post coming out."  North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Convention, Glendale, CA, November 18-21, 2021.

Rene Drumm, David Sedlacek, Shannon Trecartin, and Curtis J. VanderWaal. “Every family has occasional difficulties: The stability of family dynamics post coming out.”  Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Conference. Andrews University. Virtual. May 19-21, 2021.

John Gavin, William Ellis, and Curtis J. VanderWaal. “The Adventist Vote: Responses to the 2020 National Pre-Election Survey."  Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Conference. Andrews University. Virtual. May 19-21, 2021.

Maci Chen, Curtis J. VanderWaal, Alina M. Baltazar, and Duane C. McBride. “Sexual orientation, substance misuse, and sexual misconduct at a conservative Christian university." Andrews Research Conference: Early Career Social Sciences. Andrews University. Virtual. May 17-18, 2021.

Furst, T.*, VanderWaal, C. V., Baltazar, A., & McBride, D. C.  (March, 2019).  Sexual Orientation, Mental health and Ethnicity in a Church Affiliated University.  Presented at the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, & Letters Conference.

Carbonell, N. J., Sedlacek, D., Trecartin, S., VanderWaal, C. J.  (March, 2019).  SDA Christian LGBT + Family Support, Depression & Suicide: Findings and Implications.  Presented at the Christian Association of Psychological Studies, Dallas, TX.

Conference Organization

Curtis J. VanderWaal.  Program and Peer-Review Coordinator.  Adventist Human Subjects Research Association Annual Converence.  AdventHealth University, Orlando, FL. 2022

Curtis J. VanderWaal.  Program and Peer-Review Coordinator. Adventist Human Subjects Researchers Association Annual Conference (virtual), Berrien Springs, MI, May 19-21, 2021.

Book Chapter Published

VanderWaal, C.J., Drumm, R., Sedlacek, D., & Trecartin, S. (In Press).  Seventh-day Adventist LGBT+ Young People People in the Church: Research Findings and Implications for Pastoral Care.  In Gavin, J. & Cincala, P. (Eds), Monte Sahlin Festschrift Papers.

Curtis J. VanderWaal, David Sedlacek, Nancy Carbonell, Shannon Trecartin, and Steve Yeagley.  The LGBT+ Divide: Identity, Shame, and Equality Before God and the Church. Pp. 67-77, in Steve Case (ed.), Real, Deal, Heal: Gen Z and Social Issues.  Center for Youth Evangelism, Andrews University and the North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, 2021.

Funded Research Activity 

Principal Investigator (2022-2024) of a 21-month, $14,000 evaluation project titled United Way Turning Outward Evaluation.  Supported by United Way of Southwest Michigan.

Primary Co-Author (2023-2025) of a 24-month, $50,000 curriculum development project titled Trauma-Informed Academic Partnership Grant.  Supported by the internal Andrews University innovation grant for curriculum innovation.

Curtis J. VanderWaal. Southwest Michigan Care Continuum Transformation Evaluation. Region IV Area Agency on Aging. October 2021 - September 2023. 

Desiree Davis, Alina M. Baltazar, Shannon M. Trecartin, and Curtis J. VanderWaal. Berrien College Access Network Evaluation. United Way of Southwest Michigan. (2021-2022).

Co-Principal Investigator (2019) of a 6-month, $3,600 evaluation project titled Benton Heights Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Evaluation.  Supported by United Way of Southwest Michigan.

Principal Investigator (2019) of a 12-month, $2,468 evaluation project titled 2019 Girls on the Run Data Collection.  Supported by United Way of Southwest Michigan.