My teaching centers on the use of theory in generalist social work practice with an emphasis on social justice and empowerment. My research is on the experience of Hmong American immigrants and the acculturation process, especially Hmong Women. I am the editor of Staring Down the Tiger: Stories of Hmong American Women published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020. I am co-author of Direct Social Practice, 11th Edition. Published by Cengage Publishers in January 2022.

I enjoy teaching Generalist Practice with Small Systems, Group Work Skills, and Social Policy for Social change. Students love learning how to apply different models of practice in an eclectic approach to social work practice. Some of my favorite practice models are cognitive behavioral approach, narrative, and solution focused approaches. Systems theory serves as a foundation for social work practice and can be seen in how social workers use a holistic approach to their practice.

I have served on the Minnesota Board of Social Work as a board member since July 2017 and Board Chair from 2022-2024. i also cofounded the Minnesota Hmong Social Workers Coalition in 2015.