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Thalia MacMillan

Thalia MacMillan is an associate professor and mentor of community and human services at SUNY Empire State College; she is the department chair for the Health & Human Services department, as well as the point of contact for the BS in Addiction Studies program.  She received both her MSW and Ph.D. in Social Work from Fordham University.  Prior to coming to ESC, Thalia worked simultaneously in the professional and academic sectors. She has worked in the disabilities field in various positions for the past 19 years. She was an adjunct professor teaching both in-person and online courses at Fordham University, Touro College, Teacher’s College at Columbia University, and Concordia University Chicago. Thalia teaches courses in the areas of disabilities, addiction, gerontology, assessment and diagnosis, social policy, management, advocacy, research methods, program evaluation, and statistical methods. Thalia is an EMT-B with the volunteer ambulance squad in her community and serves as the lieutenant in her squad.  Thalia has served as a grant reviewer and chair for the both CMMI and NIDRR federal grant reviews, and serves on the editorial boards for 6 academic and professional journals.  Her professional and academic interests are in addictions, disabilities, gerontology, online learning, mentoring adult learners, emergency services, and mental health.

Degrees

  • MSW in Social Work Research and Policy from Fordham University
  • PhD in Social Welfare from Fordham University
  • B.A. in Psychology and Human Services from Mount Saint Mary College

Awards

  • James William and Mary Elizabeth Hall Award for Innovation - 2018-07-01
  • Provost Fellow, SUNY Empire State College
  • SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Faculty Excellence

Publications

  • Journal Articles:

    Steinman, C., & MacMillan, T. (2021). Exploring definitions of success in college students: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Social Policy and Education, 3(9), 12-19.

    MacMillan, T. (2021). Book review: Vanishing Bone: Conquering a stealth disease caused by total hip replacements. By Harris, W.H. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging, 45(3), 261-262. DOI: 10.1080/01924788.2021.1916316.

    MacMillan, T., Corrigan, M.J., Coffey, K., Wang, D., & Krase, K. (2021). Exploring factors associated with substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00482-y

    Wang, D., Krase, K., MacMillan, T., Fishman, A., Whitonsky, Y., & Parris, C. (2021).  Micro, mezzo and macro factors associated with coping in the early phase of COVID-19.  Journal of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 31 (1-4), 60-69.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2020.1838985

    MacMillan, T. (2020). The complex nature of success in human service students. All About Mentoring.

    MacMillan, T. (2019). The rise of opioid overdose: Is availability of Naloxone within the community the answer we need?. Journal of Concurrent Disorders, 1(1).

    Wang, D., MacMillan, T., Corke, M. (2019). Mindfulness as a Construct in Urban Dwelling Minority Fifth Graders: Psychometric properties of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Smith College Studies in Social Work, DOI:10.1080/00377317.2019.1560801.

    MacMillan, T., & Sisselman-Borgia, A. (eds). (2018). New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction. New York: Springer Publishing.

    Pociluyko, P., & MacMillan, T. (2018). Evolution of addiction terminology. In New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction (MacMillan, T., & Sisselman-Borgia, A. (eds).). New York: Springer Publishing.

    MacMillan, T. (2018). Addiction in the community: The role of emergency services. In New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction (MacMillan, T., & Sisselman-Borgia, A. (eds).). New York: Springer Publishing.

    Sisselman-Borgia, A. & MacMillan, T. (2018). Creating programs for professional development and academic programs/ Integrating previous knowledge and experience into the educational program. In New Directions in Treatment, Education, and Outreach for Mental Health and Addiction (MacMillan, T., & Sisselman-Borgia, A. (eds).). New York: Springer Publishing.

    MacMillan, T. (2017). Book Review: Hospice Voices: Lessons for Living at the End of Life. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging.

    MacMillan, T., & Luna, N. (2016). A confirmatory factor analysis of the Spiritual Transcendence Index: Assessing spirituality in a sample of Latino college students. Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 19(5), 464-475.

    MacMillan, T. (2016). An exploration of older adults’ perceptions and motivating factors behind movement through dance. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Review, 2(1), 23-35.

    Luna, N., & MacMillan, T. (2016). The impact of age, ethnicity, and gender on depressive symptom severity, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life among ethnically diverse undergraduate college students. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Review, 2(1), 1-12.

    Bonanno, R., Hertz., S., Leaker, C., & MacMillan, T. (2016). Family Feuds, Shotgun Weddings and a Dash of Couples Therapy: The CDL/Metro Blended Learning Initiative. In Creative Tensions in Progressive Education: A Case Study in Challenge and Change. Edited by Alan Mandell and Katherine Jelly. Netherlands: Sense Publishing.

    Bonanno, R., Galuski, T., & MacMillan, T. (2016). Brief Note: Connecting human service students with professional experiences. The Journal of Human Services, 36(1), 61-65.

    Luna, N., & MacMillan, T. (2015). The relationship between spirituality and depressive symptoms severity, psychosocial functioning impairment, and quality of life: Examining the Impact of Age, Gender, and Ethnic Differences. The Journal of Mental Health, Religion, & Culture.

    Maschi, T., & MacMillan, T. (2015). The Rhythm of the Collective: Group Drumming as a Creative Arts Prevention and Intervention Strategy. In Community Art: Creative Approaches to Practice. Edited by Jill Chonody. Champaign, IL: Common Ground Publishing.

    MacMillan, T., Forte, M., & Grant, C. (2014). Thematic analysis of the ‘games’ students play in asynchronous learning environments. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Network, 18(1).

    Maschi, T., MacMillan, T., Pardasani, M., Lee, J.S., & Moreno, C.L. (2013). Moving Stories: Evaluation of an MSW experiential learning project on aging and diversity. Journal of Social Work Education, 49(3), 461-475.

    Diaz, N., Molina, O., MacMillan, T., Duran, L., & Swart, E. (2013). Attitudes toward divorce and their relationship with psychosocial factors among social work students. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 54(6), 505-518.

    MacMillan, T. (2013). Use of Games to Promote Active Learning in the Classroom. All About Mentoring, 42.

    Forte, M., Bonanno, R., & MacMillan, T. (2013). “The Mentor Is In”: Human Service Skills in the Mentoring Relationship. All About Mentoring, 42.

    Wang, D., & MacMillan, T. (2013). The benefits of gardening for older adults: A systematic review of the literature. Activities, Adaptation, & Aging. 37(2).

    Maschi, T., MacMillan, T., & Viola, D. (2012). Group drumming and well-being: A promising self-care strategy for social workers. Journal of Arts & Health, 1-10.

    Maschi, T., Wells, M., Yoder Slater, G., MacMillan, T., & Ristow, J. (2012). Social Work students' research-related anxiety and self-efficacy: Research instructors' perceptions and teaching innovations. Journal of Social Work Education, 32(6), 800-817.

    MacMillan, T., Maschi, T., & Tseng, Y.F. (2012). The construct validity and reliability of a measure of perceived well-being for recreational drumming. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 93(1), 74-79.

    Maschi, T., Dennis, K., Gibson, S., MacMillan, T., Sternberg, S., & Hom, M. (2011). Trauma and stress among older adults in the criminal justice system: A review of the literature with implications for social work. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(4), 390-424.

    Maschi, T., MacMillan, T., Pardasani, M., & Lee, J.S. (2012). Moving Stories: Evaluation of a BSW Oral History Project with Older Adults with Diverse Immigration Histories. Educational Gerontology, 38(4), 228-242.

    Frongillo, E.A., Cantor, M.H., MacMillan, T., Issacman, T.D., Sherrow, R., Henry, M., Wethington, E., & Pillemer, K. (2010). Who are the recipients of Meals-on-Wheels in New York City? A profile of based on a representative sample of Meals-on-Wheels recipients, part I. Care Management Journals, 11(1), 19-40.

    Frongillo, E.A., Cantor, M.H., MacMillan, T., Issacman, T.D., Sherrow, R., Henry, M., Wethington, E., & Pillemer, K. (2010). Who are the recipients of Meals-on-Wheels in New York City? A profile of based on a representative sample of Meals-on-Wheels recipients, part II. Care Management Journals, 11(2), 129-139.

    Maschi, T., MacMillan, T., Stimmel, M., & Gibson, S. (2010). Trauma, World Assumptions, and Coping Resources among Youthful Offenders: Social Work, Mental Health, and Criminal Justice Implications. The Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 27(6), 377-393.

    MacMillan, T. (2010, Spring). Early Action Saves Sight! New York: Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center, East Harlem Impact.

    Brennan, M., & MacMillan, T. (2008). Spirituality, religiousness, and the achievement of vision rehabilitation goals among middle-age and older adults. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 20(4), 267-287.

    Cantor, M., & MacMillan, T. (2006). Findings of the Vehicle Insurance Survey conducted by Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc. and Councilman John Liu. New York: Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc.

    Brennan, M., & MacMillan, T. (2006). Developmental recapitulation in adaptation to vision loss among middle-age and older adults. Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 5 (1), 45.

    Horowitz, A., Brennan, M., Reinhardt, J.P., & MacMillan, T. (2006). The impact of assistive device use on disability and depression among older adults with vision impairments. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 61B (5), S274-S280.

    MacMillan, T. (2004, Winter). A few bumps along research road. The New Social Worker Magazine, 11 (1), 21-23.

  • Conference Presentations:

    Kennedy, S.A., MacMillan, T., & Otuyelu, F. Using Distance Education to keep and engage doctoral students. Paper to be presented at the SWDD 2022 Virtual Conference on April 8, 2022.

    MacMillan, T., & De-Souza, D. (2021). Creating new statewide innovations in Addiction Studies at the bachelor’s level. Paper presented at the INCASE 2021 conference in Philadelphia, PA.

    MacMillan, T. (2019). Defining student success and strategies to help them succeed. Paper presented at the All College conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T. (2018). In their own words: Defining academic success in Human Service Students. Paper presented at the Online Learning Consortium: OLC Accelerate in Orlando, FL.

    MacMillan, T., & Kim, C. (2017). Reaching State-Wide with Immersive Telepresence Technology: from the Lenses of an Instructor and the Frames of an Ed Technologist. Workshop presented at the 2017 OCL Innovation conference in New Orleans, LA.

    Kim, C., & MacMillan, T. (2017). Reaching State-Wide with Immersive Telepresence Technology: From the Frames of an Educational Technologist and the Lenses of an Instructor. Paper presented at the 2017 CIT conference at SUNY Oneonta.

    MacMillan, T., & Franchini, B. Collaborative Learning: The Good, Bad, and Ugly. (2017) Workshop presented at the 2017 SUNY Professional Development Institute.

    Kim, C., & Cantrell, N. (2016). Discussant on following panel presentation: Experiencing ESC's newest mode of study, the Immersive Cloud Learning. Paper presented at the 2016 Fall Academic Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T., & Woo, K., Carey, R., Kim, C, & Leaker, C. (2015). Live, and sort of in person, from Metro to Staten Island! Its Point to Point technology! Paper presented at the 2015 Fall Academic Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T., & Forte, M. (2015). Bumpers in the Bowling Alley: Advancing an understanding of careers and professional expectations of gerontology in the online classroom. Paper presented at the 2015 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education in Nashville, TN.

    Galuski, T., Bonanno, R., & MacMillan, T. (2013). Connecting online students to their professional communities and each other. Paper presented at the Sloan-C 2013 conference in Orlando, FL.

    Galuski, T., Bonanno, R., & MacMillan, T. (2013). Connecting online students to their professional communities and each other. Paper presented at the 2013 Fall Academic Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T., & Blue, J. (2013). Personalizing feedback: Old school meets high tech. Paper presented at the 2013 Fall Academic Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T., & Unger, J.E. (2013). Engaging the community through lifelong learning. Symposium presented at the 2013 State Society on Aging conference in Saratoga Springs, NY.

    MacMillan, T., & Forte, M. (2013). The role of Ageism and Ableism in the Online Diversity Course. Paper presented at the 2013 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education in St. Petersburg, FL.

    MacMillan, T., Forte, M., & Grant, C. (2012). Examining Diversity and Facilitating Growth in Student-Student Relationships in Asynchronous Learning. Paper presented at the Sloan-C 2012 conference in Orlando, FL.

    MacMillan, T., & Forte, M. (2012). Aging & Popular Culture. Workshop presented at the Academy for Life Long Learning 2012 Wednesday series.

    Social Learning Taskforce. (2012). Use of Social Media in Online Courses. Paper presented at the 2012 All College Conference in Saratoga, NY.

    Leaker, C., Bonanno, R., MacMillan, T., & Hertz, S. (2012). Blended Courses to Blended Cultures: Overcoming Institutional Bifurcation. Paper presented at the Sloan-C Blended 2012 conference in Milwaukee, WI.

    Bonanno, R., MacMillan, T., Longley, D., & Chuang, H.Y. (2012). Breaking Boundaries in Course Development: Collaboration, Diversity and Open Education. Paper presented at the 2012 Conference on Instruction & Technology.

    Forte, M., & MacMillan, T. (2012). A Conversation About Conversation(s) Within the Online Course. Paper presented at the 2012 Center for Distance Learning Conference.

    MacMillan, T., Bonanno, R., Hertz., S., Leaker, C., Sisselman, A., Whann, C., & Tratner, S. (2012). Redefining Community: From Blended Courses to Blended Cultures. Paper presented at the 2012 Center for Distance Learning Conference.

    Stuen, C., & MacMillan, T. (2011). Models of low vision care in the US. Poster presented at the 2011 Gerontological Society of American conference, Boston, MA.

    MacMillan, T., Stuen, C., Ramos, M.A., Kleinman, L.C., & Horowitz, C.R. (2011). Individual and Environmental Barriers to Eye Care in an Urban Neighborhood. Paper presented at the 2011 Gerontological Society of American conference, Boston, MA.

    Ramos, M.A., Galvez, M., Vangeepuram, N., MacMillan, T., Horowitz, C.R., & Kleinman, L.C. (2011). Health, Obesity, and Environment in East Harlem, NY. Paper presented at the 2011 American Public Health Association conference.

    Ramos, M.A., MacMillan, T., Kleinman, L.C., & Horowitz, C.R. (2011). Vision Impairment among Older Adults in an Urban, Low-Income Neighborhood: Implications for Diabetes Prevention and Management. Paper presented at the 2011 Society for General Internal Medicine conference.

    Kleinman, L.C., Vangeepuram, N., Ramos, M., MacMillan, T., Horowitz, C., & Galvez, M. (2011). Perceptions of health and weight status among minority parents in East Harlem, NY. Paper presented at the 2011 American Pediatrics Society conference.

    Galvez, M., Vangeepuram, N., Ramos, M., MacMillan, T., Horowitz, C., & Kleinman, L.C. (2011). Health, obesity, and environment in East Harlem, NY. Paper presented at the 2011 American Pediatrics Society conference.

    Vangeepuram, N., MacMillan, T., Galvez, M., Ramos, M., & Kleinman, L.C. (2011). Mexican Children in East Harlem NY Have Distinct Diet and Exercise Practices Compared to Other Ethnic Minority Subgroups. Paper presented at the 2011 American Pediatrics Society conference.

    MacMillan, T., Zaldivar, A., & Stuen, C. (2010). Empowering seniors to take Early Action To Save Sight. Paper presented at the 2010 New York State Society on Aging conference, White Plains, NY.

    Stuen, C., & MacMillan, T. (2011). Models of low vision care in the US. Paper presented at the 2011 KL Vision Conference in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

    Stuen, C., MacMillan, T., & Zaldivar, A. (2011). Early Action Saves Sight. Workshop presented at the 2011 American Society of Aging conference.

    Maschi, T., & MacMillan, T. (2010). Moving Stories: Evaluation of a BSW Oral History Project with Older Adults with Diverse Immigration Histories. Paper presented at the 2010 Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors conference.

    Gellis, Z.D., Horowitz, A., MacMillan, T., Reinhardt, J.P., & Calia, T. (2006). Project ADAPT-VIP: Outcomes of a Geriatric Anxiety Treatment Program for Visually-Impaired Persons. Paper presented at the annual scientific meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, Dallas, TX.

    Brennan, M., & MacMillan, T. (2005). Spirituality and the Achievement of Vision Rehabilitation Goals. Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, F.L.

    MacMillan, T., Horowitz, A., Brennan, M., & J.P. Reinhardt. (2005). What affects activity participation in older people with vision impairments? Paper presented at Vision 2005, The International Conference on Low Vision. London, UK.

    Horowitz, A., Brennan, M., Reinhardt, J.P., & MacMillan, T. (2005). Is Depression a Barrier to Vision Rehabilitation Service Use? Paper presented at Vision 2005, The International Conference on Low Vision. London, UK.

    Reinhardt, J. P., Horowitz, A., Raykov, T., MacMillan, T., & Brennan, M. (2004). Rehabilitation service use, functional disability, and depression over time in older adults with vision loss. Paper presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C.

    MacMillan, T., Cantor, M., Horowitz, A., Reinhardt, J. P., & Brennan, M. (2004). Activity level and satisfaction among chronically impaired older adults: The case of vision impairment. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C.

    Horowitz, A., Reinhardt, J. P., Brennan, M., & MacMillan, T. (2004). The effect of optical and adaptive aids on depression and disability among older adults with age-related vision loss. Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.

    MacMillan, T., Horowitz, A., & Reinhardt, J. (2003). Vitamin and Herbal Supplement Use Over Time by Community Dwelling Older Adults. Paper presented at the American Society on Aging/National Council on Aging annual conference, Chicago, IL.

    Horowitz, A., Reinhardt, J.P., Brennan, M., MacMillan, T., & Cantor, M. (2003). Is depression a barrier to rehabilitation service use? Poster presented at the annual scientific meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, San Diego, CA.

    MacMillan, T., Horowitz, A., & Reinhardt, J.P. (2002). Prescription medication, over-the-counter products, and vitamin use by visually impaired older adults. Paper presented at the Joint Conference of The National Council in the Aging and the American Society on Aging, Denver, CO.