Dr. Allison Tan

Home // Dr. Allison Tan

Department Chair and Program Director of the Traditional Undergraduate Program; Associate Professor of Social Work

Education

Ph.D., Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 2011
M.S.S.A., Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 2003
B.S.W., Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, 2002

Associated Academic Programs

Social Work Social Work

鈥淭he social work profession is an exciting one in which we equip both individuals and communities to live into their strengths and potential.鈥

As an undergraduate and graduate student of social work, Dr. Allison Tan originally planned to work in the area of criminal justice. 鈥淭hrough a number of twists and turns, my first social work job out of grad school was not in criminal justice but instead in the area of HIV/AIDS. While this was not the field I expected practice in, I immediately felt 鈥榓t home鈥 with the population and the community on the west side of Chicago where I found myself. Through my years in that position, I developed an empathy for those experiencing the impact of the HIV epidemic, as well as an appreciation for the challenges faced by minority populations in our country. Additionally, I began to engage in conversations and trainings around the integration and tensions between the LGBT community and communities of faith. This has become my life鈥檚 work.鈥

What drew her to 91精选:
A graduate of Taylor University, Tan said she is incredibly grateful for the Christian education she gained there. 鈥淚 have the opportunity to share a similar experience with the next generation of Christian social workers. I am refreshed and inspired by the ability to integrate faith and practice in the classroom here at 91精选.鈥

Research interests:
For most of her career, Tan鈥檚 research agenda has focused on the ways in which LGBT issues and Christian worldview intersect and challenge one another. 鈥淲hile certainly a topic wrought with tension and discomfort for many in our society, my research and experience listening to the stories of LGBT individuals as well as Christian social workers and students has led me to see that there are opportunities for tremendous growth and reconciliation.鈥

When she鈥檚 not working:
Outside of work, Tan spends most of her time with her husband and son. 鈥淲e stay busy visiting zoos and practicing to become an American Ninja Warrior 鈥 my son, not me!鈥

Courses

SWK 150: Introduction to Social Work
SWK 200: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
SWK 210: Social Welfare Institutions
SWK 310: Human Behavior and the Social Environment
SWK/SOC 353: Research Methods

SWK 360: Social Work Practice with Communities
INQ 206: Perspectives on Poverty
ACJ 353: Criminal Justice Research (online)
SOC 121: Principles of Sociology
SOC 246: Urban Sociology

Papers Published and/or Presented

Written Publications

Tan, Allison & Braganza, M. (2022).聽 How Might We Encounter Others Well? 聽Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Tan, Allison & Kelly, M. (2016) Working with LGBT clients: Best practices and personal challenges, in Social Work and Christianity, 5th Edition.

Tan, Allison. (2016). Book review of Gender Oppression and Globalization, in Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Tan, Allison (2015).聽 Pre-publication manuscript review of Women鈥檚 Issues for a New Generation, for Oxford Press.

Tan, Allison. (2014). Understanding the tension 鈥 Christian practitioner perspectives on working with LGBT clients, in Conservative Christian Beliefs and Sexual Orientation.

Tan, Allison.聽 (2013). Increasing Christian social workers鈥 basic knowledge of HIV and AIDS: The beginning of competent practice.聽 Journal of Social Work and Christianity, 40 (2), 144-155.

Tan, Allison. (2012). Can practitioners be values-neutral? Implications for evidence-based practice, in Social Work and Christianity, 4th Edition.

Tan, Allison.聽 (2012). Working with LGBT clients: Best practices and personal challenges, in Social Work and Christianity, 4th Edition.

Tan, Allison. (2010). Our client鈥檚 spirituality鈥nd our own: Implications for best practices in social work. Praxis, 10, 6-12.

Pizzi, Allison. (Summer 2008). The human consequences of policy: An analysis of the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act. Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Pizzi, Allison. (Winter 2006). When it rains in Lawndale: A point of view on relocation.聽 Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Workshops and Presentations

Tan, Allison & Abinoja, L. (2022) 鈥淥thering: Students’ Sense of Belonging in the Christian Campus Environment鈥, Workshop presentation at North American Christians in Social Work conference.

Tan, Allison & Aljuneidi, I. (2022) 鈥淐alled to Social Work: Christianity, Islam, and the Code of Ethics鈥, Workshop presentation at Society for Spirituality & Social Work conference 鈥 virtual.

Panelist, 鈥淭eaching for the Good Life鈥 at the Knowledge for the Future: Higher Education, Change and Christian Responsibility conference. November, 2021.

Tan, Allison & Aljuneidi, I. (2021) 鈥淪hared Religious Values and the Social Work Code of Ethics 鈥 Christianity and Islam鈥澛 Workshop presented at Chicago Semester.

Tan, Allison (2021) 鈥淪ocial Work Practice with LGBTQ(QIAATP) Clients鈥 Guest lecturer for BSW students at Huntington University.

Tan, Allison (2021) 鈥淯nderstanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sexuality in Adolescents鈥 Presenter at the ROCK support group in Huntington, IN.

Tan, Allison & Braganza, M (2021) 鈥淭he Social Work Classroom as a Place for Religious Hospitality鈥 Workshop presented for Society for Spirituality and Social Work Conference, Virtual.

Tan, Allison (2019). 鈥淩ethinking the BSW Research Course: Creating Critical Consumers of Evidence.鈥 Workshop presented in Denver, CO at Annual Program Meeting of CSWE.

Bretzlaff-Holstein, C., Huyser, M, and Tan, A. (2018). 鈥淯sing Case Studies in Teaching Values & Ethics to BSW Students鈥. Workshop Presented in Hartford, CT in October 2018 at NACSW Annual Convention.

Tan, Allison (2018). 鈥淭he Power of Connection: Effecting Change through Difficult Conversations鈥. Workshop to presented in Hartford, CT in October 2018 at NACSW Annual Convention.

Bretzlaff-Holstein, C, Doot Abinoja, L, and Tan, A. (2018). 鈥淭he Macro Three: A Unique Model for BSW Senior Year鈥. Workshop presented at BPD conference in Atlanta, GA.

Tan, Allison. (2016). 鈥淟GBT Issues in the Classroom鈥. Poster presentation at the NACSW conference in Charlotte, NC, November 2016.

Tan, Allison. (2016). 鈥淏ringing TED into the Classroom鈥. Workshop presented at NACSW conference in Charlotte, NC, November 2016.

Tan, Allison. (2015). 鈥淯nderstanding the Tension: Christian Social Work Students and LGBT Clients.鈥 Workshop presented at the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Grand Rapids, MI, November 14, 2015.

Tan, Allison. (2015). 鈥淧rogram Evaluation for NACSW鈥.聽 Board training presented at NACSW conference in Grand Rapids, MI, November 12, 2015.

Tan, Allison. (2013). 鈥淯nderstanding the Tension: Christian Practitioners and LGBT Clients.鈥 Workshop presented at the North American Christians in Social Work conference in Atlanta, GA, October 18, 2013.

Tan, Allison. (2012). 鈥淪piritually-Sensitive Crisis Intervention with HIV-Positive Clients.鈥 Audio-conference provided through the National Association of Christians in Social Work, February 27, 2012.

Tan, Allison. (2011). 鈥淭heoretical and Documented Support for the Peer-Based Modality of Social Service Provision.鈥 Administrative workshop presented at the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta, GA, October 30, 2011.

Tan, Allison. (2011). 鈥淭he Ethics of Referral.鈥 Workshop presented at North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Pittsburgh, PA, October 24, 2011.

Tan, Allison. (2010). 鈥淎 Focus on HIV/AIDS: Where Are We Now? What Are Christians in Social Work Doing?鈥澛 Pre-convention Institute presented at the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Raleigh, NC, November 11, 2010.

Tan, Allison. (2010). 鈥淭eaching BSW Students Research: Results From Two Models of Collaboration鈥.聽 Presented at Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, October 2010.

Tan, Allison (2009). 鈥淚s Community Development ONLY a Macro-Level Theory?鈥澛 Presented at the annual North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference, October 30, Indianapolis, IN.

Dentato, Michael, Tan, Allison, Weeden, Mary & Sokolec, Jeanne (2009). 鈥淧eer-Based Psychosocial Support Groups鈥. Presented at the annual American Association of Social Work & Groups (AASWG) conference, June 26, Chicago, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Marin, Andrew (2008). 鈥淧ractitioner-Based Do鈥檚 and Don鈥檛s for Working with People from the Gay and Lesbian Community.鈥 Presented at the annual North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference, February 8, Orlando, FL.

Pizzi Allison (2007). 鈥淐ounseling HIV-Positive Clients.鈥澛 In a lecture to the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium Internship in Professional Psychology, June 22 (also in June 2006), Chicago, IL.

Pizzi, Allison (2007). 鈥淥ne Common HIV Pandemic.鈥 Presented at the Acting on AIDS (AOA) Student Leadership Summit, February 15-17, Palos Heights, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Johnson, Patricia (2007). 鈥淟iving with the Stigma of HIV.鈥澛 Presented at the AOA Student Leadership Summit, February 15-17, Palos Heights, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Drake, Misty (2006). 鈥淚ntegrating HIV Client-Level Data Systems.鈥 Presented at Ryan White CARE Act Grantee Technical Assistance Conference, August 25, Washington, DC.

Pizzi, Allison (2005). 鈥淪ubstance Abuse Treatment Readiness.鈥 Presented at HIV Prevention Leadership Summit, July, Washington, DC. and United States Conference on AIDS, October, Philadelphia, PA.

Pizzi, Allison (2004). 鈥淎 Christian Response to AIDS: Compassion in the Face of Controversy.鈥 Presented at NACSW conference, October 29, Reston, VA.

Professional Society Memberships

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW)

+ Expertise

As an undergraduate and graduate student of social work, Dr. Allison Tan originally planned to work in the area of criminal justice. 鈥淭hrough a number of twists and turns, my first social work job out of grad school was not in criminal justice but instead in the area of HIV/AIDS. While this was not the field I expected practice in, I immediately felt 鈥榓t home鈥 with the population and the community on the west side of Chicago where I found myself. Through my years in that position, I developed an empathy for those experiencing the impact of the HIV epidemic, as well as an appreciation for the challenges faced by minority populations in our country. Additionally, I began to engage in conversations and trainings around the integration and tensions between the LGBT community and communities of faith. This has become my life鈥檚 work.鈥

What drew her to 91精选:
A graduate of Taylor University, Tan said she is incredibly grateful for the Christian education she gained there. 鈥淚 have the opportunity to share a similar experience with the next generation of Christian social workers. I am refreshed and inspired by the ability to integrate faith and practice in the classroom here at 91精选.鈥

Research interests:
For most of her career, Tan鈥檚 research agenda has focused on the ways in which LGBT issues and Christian worldview intersect and challenge one another. 鈥淲hile certainly a topic wrought with tension and discomfort for many in our society, my research and experience listening to the stories of LGBT individuals as well as Christian social workers and students has led me to see that there are opportunities for tremendous growth and reconciliation.鈥

When she鈥檚 not working:
Outside of work, Tan spends most of her time with her husband and son. 鈥淲e stay busy visiting zoos and practicing to become an American Ninja Warrior 鈥 my son, not me!鈥

+ Courses, Publications & Research

Courses

SWK 150: Introduction to Social Work
SWK 200: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
SWK 210: Social Welfare Institutions
SWK 310: Human Behavior and the Social Environment
SWK/SOC 353: Research Methods

SWK 360: Social Work Practice with Communities
INQ 206: Perspectives on Poverty
ACJ 353: Criminal Justice Research (online)
SOC 121: Principles of Sociology
SOC 246: Urban Sociology

Papers Published and/or Presented

Written Publications

Tan, Allison & Braganza, M. (2022).聽 How Might We Encounter Others Well? 聽Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Tan, Allison & Kelly, M. (2016) Working with LGBT clients: Best practices and personal challenges, in Social Work and Christianity, 5th Edition.

Tan, Allison. (2016). Book review of Gender Oppression and Globalization, in Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Tan, Allison (2015).聽 Pre-publication manuscript review of Women鈥檚 Issues for a New Generation, for Oxford Press.

Tan, Allison. (2014). Understanding the tension 鈥 Christian practitioner perspectives on working with LGBT clients, in Conservative Christian Beliefs and Sexual Orientation.

Tan, Allison.聽 (2013). Increasing Christian social workers鈥 basic knowledge of HIV and AIDS: The beginning of competent practice.聽 Journal of Social Work and Christianity, 40 (2), 144-155.

Tan, Allison. (2012). Can practitioners be values-neutral? Implications for evidence-based practice, in Social Work and Christianity, 4th Edition.

Tan, Allison.聽 (2012). Working with LGBT clients: Best practices and personal challenges, in Social Work and Christianity, 4th Edition.

Tan, Allison. (2010). Our client鈥檚 spirituality鈥nd our own: Implications for best practices in social work. Praxis, 10, 6-12.

Pizzi, Allison. (Summer 2008). The human consequences of policy: An analysis of the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act. Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Pizzi, Allison. (Winter 2006). When it rains in Lawndale: A point of view on relocation.聽 Journal of Social Work and Christianity.

Workshops and Presentations

Tan, Allison & Abinoja, L. (2022) 鈥淥thering: Students’ Sense of Belonging in the Christian Campus Environment鈥, Workshop presentation at North American Christians in Social Work conference.

Tan, Allison & Aljuneidi, I. (2022) 鈥淐alled to Social Work: Christianity, Islam, and the Code of Ethics鈥, Workshop presentation at Society for Spirituality & Social Work conference 鈥 virtual.

Panelist, 鈥淭eaching for the Good Life鈥 at the Knowledge for the Future: Higher Education, Change and Christian Responsibility conference. November, 2021.

Tan, Allison & Aljuneidi, I. (2021) 鈥淪hared Religious Values and the Social Work Code of Ethics 鈥 Christianity and Islam鈥澛 Workshop presented at Chicago Semester.

Tan, Allison (2021) 鈥淪ocial Work Practice with LGBTQ(QIAATP) Clients鈥 Guest lecturer for BSW students at Huntington University.

Tan, Allison (2021) 鈥淯nderstanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sexuality in Adolescents鈥 Presenter at the ROCK support group in Huntington, IN.

Tan, Allison & Braganza, M (2021) 鈥淭he Social Work Classroom as a Place for Religious Hospitality鈥 Workshop presented for Society for Spirituality and Social Work Conference, Virtual.

Tan, Allison (2019). 鈥淩ethinking the BSW Research Course: Creating Critical Consumers of Evidence.鈥 Workshop presented in Denver, CO at Annual Program Meeting of CSWE.

Bretzlaff-Holstein, C., Huyser, M, and Tan, A. (2018). 鈥淯sing Case Studies in Teaching Values & Ethics to BSW Students鈥. Workshop Presented in Hartford, CT in October 2018 at NACSW Annual Convention.

Tan, Allison (2018). 鈥淭he Power of Connection: Effecting Change through Difficult Conversations鈥. Workshop to presented in Hartford, CT in October 2018 at NACSW Annual Convention.

Bretzlaff-Holstein, C, Doot Abinoja, L, and Tan, A. (2018). 鈥淭he Macro Three: A Unique Model for BSW Senior Year鈥. Workshop presented at BPD conference in Atlanta, GA.

Tan, Allison. (2016). 鈥淟GBT Issues in the Classroom鈥. Poster presentation at the NACSW conference in Charlotte, NC, November 2016.

Tan, Allison. (2016). 鈥淏ringing TED into the Classroom鈥. Workshop presented at NACSW conference in Charlotte, NC, November 2016.

Tan, Allison. (2015). 鈥淯nderstanding the Tension: Christian Social Work Students and LGBT Clients.鈥 Workshop presented at the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Grand Rapids, MI, November 14, 2015.

Tan, Allison. (2015). 鈥淧rogram Evaluation for NACSW鈥.聽 Board training presented at NACSW conference in Grand Rapids, MI, November 12, 2015.

Tan, Allison. (2013). 鈥淯nderstanding the Tension: Christian Practitioners and LGBT Clients.鈥 Workshop presented at the North American Christians in Social Work conference in Atlanta, GA, October 18, 2013.

Tan, Allison. (2012). 鈥淪piritually-Sensitive Crisis Intervention with HIV-Positive Clients.鈥 Audio-conference provided through the National Association of Christians in Social Work, February 27, 2012.

Tan, Allison. (2011). 鈥淭heoretical and Documented Support for the Peer-Based Modality of Social Service Provision.鈥 Administrative workshop presented at the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta, GA, October 30, 2011.

Tan, Allison. (2011). 鈥淭he Ethics of Referral.鈥 Workshop presented at North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Pittsburgh, PA, October 24, 2011.

Tan, Allison. (2010). 鈥淎 Focus on HIV/AIDS: Where Are We Now? What Are Christians in Social Work Doing?鈥澛 Pre-convention Institute presented at the North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference in Raleigh, NC, November 11, 2010.

Tan, Allison. (2010). 鈥淭eaching BSW Students Research: Results From Two Models of Collaboration鈥.聽 Presented at Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting, October 2010.

Tan, Allison (2009). 鈥淚s Community Development ONLY a Macro-Level Theory?鈥澛 Presented at the annual North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference, October 30, Indianapolis, IN.

Dentato, Michael, Tan, Allison, Weeden, Mary & Sokolec, Jeanne (2009). 鈥淧eer-Based Psychosocial Support Groups鈥. Presented at the annual American Association of Social Work & Groups (AASWG) conference, June 26, Chicago, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Marin, Andrew (2008). 鈥淧ractitioner-Based Do鈥檚 and Don鈥檛s for Working with People from the Gay and Lesbian Community.鈥 Presented at the annual North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW) conference, February 8, Orlando, FL.

Pizzi Allison (2007). 鈥淐ounseling HIV-Positive Clients.鈥澛 In a lecture to the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium Internship in Professional Psychology, June 22 (also in June 2006), Chicago, IL.

Pizzi, Allison (2007). 鈥淥ne Common HIV Pandemic.鈥 Presented at the Acting on AIDS (AOA) Student Leadership Summit, February 15-17, Palos Heights, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Johnson, Patricia (2007). 鈥淟iving with the Stigma of HIV.鈥澛 Presented at the AOA Student Leadership Summit, February 15-17, Palos Heights, IL.

Pizzi, Allison and Drake, Misty (2006). 鈥淚ntegrating HIV Client-Level Data Systems.鈥 Presented at Ryan White CARE Act Grantee Technical Assistance Conference, August 25, Washington, DC.

Pizzi, Allison (2005). 鈥淪ubstance Abuse Treatment Readiness.鈥 Presented at HIV Prevention Leadership Summit, July, Washington, DC. and United States Conference on AIDS, October, Philadelphia, PA.

Pizzi, Allison (2004). 鈥淎 Christian Response to AIDS: Compassion in the Face of Controversy.鈥 Presented at NACSW conference, October 29, Reston, VA.

+ Awards & Memberships

Professional Society Memberships

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

North American Christians in Social Work (NACSW)