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A social worker with extensive experience working with the elderly, crisis and suicide intervention, and healthcare administration in Yamhill and Washington counties, Kathryn Saunders, is serving as a visiting assistant professor of social work for the 2024-25 academic year.

An alumna of Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox and a certified licensed master of social work, she worked as an assistant professor at Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox the past three years and, before that, was at Friendsview Retirement Community for eight years, the last four of which as community life director, three years as a social worker (2014-17), and one year as activity director (2013-14).

Kathryn previously taught on an adjunct basis at the university since 2014, and during that same time frame she has worked as a support group facilitator with the Oregon Alzheimer’s Association, in crisis intervention services, and as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST) while also managing her business, Kathryn Saunders Wellness and Guidance LLC.

She earned a master of social work degree from the University of New England in 2017 and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox in 2013. She also holds a Certificate in Servant Leadership from Gonzaga University and is an active residential care administrator in Oregon.

Kathryn lives in McMinnville with her husband, Ethan, who is also an alumnus of Â鶹´«Ã½ Fox, and their children.