Biography:

D. Laura Racovita-Szilagyi is an assistant professor of social work and director of field education at the Andrews University Department of Social Work located in Berrien Springs, Mich. She joined the faculty in 2010.

Racovita-Szilagyi’s academic career began in Romania where she worked in Calarasi as an adjunct teacher. Just one year before she joined the faculty at Andrews University on a full-time basis, she served as a curriculum development consultant to the School of Social Work at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tenn.

Racovita-Szilagyi has presented at/attended numerous conferences in the United States and abroad and has been a featured guest speaker for several assemblies at Andrews. She is currently Co-President of International Association of Adventist Social Workers and is also a member of Council on Social Work Education and Andrews University Department of Social Work’s Community Advisory Council.

Service is very important to Racovita-Szilagyi. In 2001, she was a crisis care team volunteer for Adventist Community Services Disaster Response and Relief in New York, NY. She has also volunteered her time at American Red Cross, Benton Harbor, Mich., and at Village Seventh-day Adventist Church, Berrien Springs, Mich., among other volunteer experiences.

The recipient of many awards, Racovita-Szilagyi has received several letters/certificates of appreciation and recognition from American Red Cross and Neighbor to Neighbor. In 2005, she received the Department of Social Work Peer Recognition for Excellence in Academics Award, and in 2006, she received the Andrews University Field Instructor of the Year Award, among other recognitions.

Racovita-Szilagyi is currently researching “The importance of cultural diversity in the context of domestic violence: A case study” with several colleagues at the university. She resides in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Current Research or Professional Activities:

Peer Reviewed Paper Presentations:

Racovita-Szilagyi, D.L., Diaconu, M (2010, October) Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) in the Context of International Social Work. Accepted for presentation at the Council on Social Work Education 56th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR

Diaconu, M, Racovita-Szilagyi, D.L, Jones, A.M. & Manley, L. (2010, July) The Influence of Perception in Regard to Domestic and Intimate Partner Abuse within the Context of Cultural Diversity: A Case Study. Accepted for presentation at the 10th International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities and Nations, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland

Diaconu, M. & Racovita, D.L. (2009, November) Globalization, Economy and Financial Education: The Social Work Responsibility. Presented at the Council on Social Work Education 55th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX

Wrenn, J.F. & Racovita, D.L. (2008, November) Critical Thinking: Feature Films As A Tool In Social Work Education. Presented at the Council on Social Work Education 54th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA

Diaconu, M. & Racovita, D.L. (2008, May). The Social Worker’s Role and Forced Migration: From a USA & Global Perspective. Presented at The Global Studies Conference in Chicago, IL

Racovita, D.L., Diaconu, M. (2007, June/July). Using team concepts to enhance student learning experiences in field practicum, in the context of group supervision. Presented at The Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, XXIX International Symposium in Jersey City, NJ

Diaconu, M., Madrigal, C.R. & Racovita, D.L. (2006, October). Evaluation methods: The grand finale of group process and outcomes. Presented at The Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, XXVIII International Symposium in San Diego, CA

Editorial Reviewer:

Racovita, D.L. (2008, July). Peer review of article for the Global Studies Journal – “Hidden Transcripts” of Globalization

Research Initiatives:

Diaconu, M., Racovita-Szilagyi, L.  (2012).  Refugees & HIV/AIDS.  In Refugees Worldwide, vol. 2: Refugees Health).  Uma A. Segal & Doreen Elliott, ed.  Santa Barbara, CA:  Praeger.

Diaconu, M., Racovita-Szilagyi, L., Jones, A.M., Manley, L. (March 2010 – Current): The importance of cultural diversity in the context of domestic violence: A case study