Meet our Field Office Personnel

Stephanie Ruiz, MSW, LCSW

• Read about Professor Ruiz

  • My name is Stephanie M. Ruiz (She/Her/Ella) and I am the Field Education Director at San José State University, School of Social Work. I have taught at the School of Social Work for the past two years and previously served as a University Counselor at Stanford for the past four years supporting and aiding student's mental health, wellbeing, and working with first generation college students. 

    My current passions consist of serving college students, aiding students in reaching their full potential and assisting them in their academic journey. I obtained my MSW degree from the University of Southern California in 2012 with a concentration of (COPA- Community Organizing, Planning and Administration). I obtained a BA in Psychology and Spanish from San Diego State University in 2011. My journey as a social worker has led me to work in hospitals, community mental health, and University Counseling. 

    I am passionate about serving others, uplifting the next generation of social workers and empowering all folks to continually shine in their greatness. I am delighted to be a part of the SJSU community. 

    In my free time I enjoy spending quality time with my fiance Chris, mother, sisters, nephews, nieces and family. Most days I enjoy watching sports, working out and having a great iced latte. 

Erin Osanna-Barba, MSW, LCSW

Title: Assistant Director of Field Education, BASW Internship Program Coordinator and Internship Support Coordinator
Email: erin.osanna-barba@sjsu.edu

• Read about Professor Osanna-Barba 

  • I received my MSW from San José State University and have my LCSW. My passion for social work comes from my 22 years of experience working with clients and community members in crisis suffering from interpersonal violence and trauma. 

    I have worked as a Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Counselor, Crime Victim’s Advocate within the criminal court system, a Director of a sexual assault and violence prevention program on a college campus, Primary Therapist at an outpatient eating disorder treatment center and as a Therapist in private practice. 

    I believe that field education is such an important part of a social worker's education. I'm inspired by our agency partnerships and opportunities for learning that they have created for our Students. 

    I've worked with the SJSU School of Social Work's Field Office in various capacities since 2017.

    In my free time, I love to travel. I am passionate about seeing new places and experiencing new cultures. I enjoy cooking, hiking, yoga, and photography. Spending time with my partner Dave and family and friends is most important to me.

Debbie Boerbaitz, MSW, LCSW, PPSC

Title: Internship Support Coordinator
Email: deborah.boerbaitz@sjsu.edu

• Read about Professor Boerbaitz

  • I am an alumna of SDSU's School of Social Work. I  worked for the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) as a credentialed School Social Worker for over 19 years. During that time, I worked as a School Based School Social Worker providing multi-tiered support services. Over the years, I served as a Field Instructor for multiple universities, hosting up to 8 Interns every year at my school site. During the last 3 years at CVESD, I  served as the district's Internship Program Coordinator, interfacing with universities and providing training and leadership to develop meaningful internship experiences. 

    I have worked in medical social work, home health and hospice settings and have served as a Clinical Supervisor for over 12 years. 

    I am passionate about social work and honored to work with the SJSU School of Social Work supporting the next generations of social workers.

Joan Wong, MSW, LCSW, PPSC

Title: Internship Support Coordinator
Email: joan.wong@sjsu.edu

• Read about Professor Wong

  • I hold a MSW, LCSW,  PPSC, and the Child Welfare and Attendance designation. I completed my graduate work at California State University, Long beach in 2010. My pronouns are (she, her, hers).

    I have a private practice in which I work with adults who want to heal from self-worth concerns, childhood/family of origin dynamics, grief, anxiety and/or depression. I provided counseling services for adolescents as a public school district employee for eight years. I have also been a Supervisor in a 30 Day Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter and a Case Manager in a community nonprofit. Prior to becoming a Social Worker, I was a Program Manager for a nonprofit which helped faith communities to recruit and support Foster and Adoptive Families. 

    Field education is a valuable part of students’ MSW program. I am delighted to be part of helping to support Students in these important experiences. 

    In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors in the sunshine and being creative. 

Sandy Amaral, BA in Human Development

Title: Administrative Support Coordinator II- Field Education
Email: sandy.amaral@sjsu.edu

• Read about Ms. Amaral

  • Hi there! If you’re reading this, then you may be considering majoring in Social Work or may have an interest in helping others in some way. Personally, that is what has brought me here today. I have always had a passion for working in academia and have been proud to be a part of higher education. I believe that it is a part of who I am and working as the Administrative Support Coordinator II, allows me to apply those qualities and traits into my career.

Field Office Team Contact Information

Address: 
WSQ 215
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0124

Email: socialworkfieldeducation@sjsu.edu