Anthony Nicotera , J.D., DSW, LCSW, C-SSWS
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department of Social Work
(973) 220-0084
Email
Schwartz Hall
Room 234
Anthony Nicotera, J.D., DSW, LCSW, C-SSWS
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Department of Social Work
With over 25 years of experience as an educator, leader, clinician, and social justice advocate, Dr. Nicotera is passionate about helping people heal, and advancing human rights, social, economic, and environmental justice through teaching, research, and practice. He holds a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree from Rutgers University, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from DePaul University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Loyola University of Chicago, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) credentials from the State of New Jersey.
As an Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University, Dr. Nicotera teaches courses in policy, social problems, race and bias, law and social work, and social justice. He also designed and teaches a service-learning core curriculum course, and co-founded and co-directs SHU's Catholic Social Thought (CST) in Action Academy which exists at the intersection of Catholic studies and social work. He helps oversee Seton Hall's Policy and Justice Certificate Program and Social Work and Law Program. He serves the country's oldest, largest, multifaith peace and justice organization, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR-USA), of which Nobel Peace Laureates Jane Addams and Dr. King are legacy members, in its mission of promoting nonviolence, reconciliation, and the building of the Beloved Community.
Prior to coming to Seton Hall, Dr. Nicotera partnered with Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay), nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. King, to coproduce the mixed-media films Planting Seeds of Mindfulness for Children, a favorite at the Illuminate Film Festival, and The 5 Powers Revolution, which won best film at The People's Film Festival in Harlem, NY. He also helped found Newark New Jersey's Cristo Rey High School and practiced as a clinical social worker, working primarily with gang involved and affected young people. He served as Chaplain to the College of Law and School for New Learning via DePaul University's Center for Spirituality and Values in Practice, which he co-founded. He also co-founded, and designed and taught numerous courses in DePaul's Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Social Justice Studies program.
Dr. Nicotera has led scores of workshops, presentations, retreats, and healing circles, and he has presented on panels pertaining to spirituality and social work, CST and social work, social and racial justice, nonviolent peacemaking, public policy, and nonprofit leadership and management. He was interviewed for the PBS documentary Where We Stood: Chicago's Resistance to the War on Iraq, nominated for an Emmy. He was featured in articles on academics and activism and the living out of Dr. King's nonviolent vision in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mairead Maguire invited him to speak at a peace-building conference in Belfast, N.I. Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Arun Gandhi invited him to present workshops at Gandhi Institute conferences, where he co-presented with youth leaders.
Dr. Nicotera spent six years as a member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), a religious order in the Roman Catholic tradition. As a Jesuit, he completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, a thirty-day silent retreat, and worked internationally and domestically in prisons, hospice facilities, inner-city parishes and schools, and legal and social service centers. He worked with, and served on the Board of, the Brothers and Sisters of Love, a gang ministry and outreach program in Chicago. He also lived in Latin America, working with community organizations and victims of war and violence, and he lived and worked in Calcutta, India with Saint Mother Teresa.
After leaving the Jesuits, he lived and worked at the Camden, NJ Leavenhouse Community, modeled on Servant of God Dorothy Day’s Catholic Worker communities, serving the homeless and hungry. He also worked as a clinical social worker at Guadalupe Family Services in Camden, founding Together Across Generations, a program dedicated to building stronger ties between disadvantaged youth and the grandparents raising them.
Based on his research of indigenous peacemaking circle processes, CST, Aristotelian philosophical traditions, social inquiry processes, and restorative and social justice theory, he created the Circle of Insight, www.circleofinsight.org, a See, Reflect, Act pedagogical framework and process for the practice of peace, justice, and transformative love. The Circle of Insight serves as a resource for educators, advocates, and practitioners seeking to invite deeper healing, compassion, transformation, and social justice. Dr. Nicotera has published several articles and book chapters describing and applying the Circle of Insight process and has presented nationally and internationally on the ways in which the Circle process can help move us individually and collectively toward deeper liberation, justice, and transformative love and Beloved Community.
Dr. Nicotera’s skills and interests include: educational and nonprofit leadership and management; policy advocacy and practice; public interest and human rights law; mediation and conflict resolution; clinical social work; curriculum development; program design and evaluation; civic engagement; mindfulness meditation and practice; and the intersection of spirituality, religion, CST, and social work and mental health and well-being. He also is a vegan and enjoys yoga, going to the gym, sports, music, and singing and playing the guitar. He is inspired and challenged daily by Thich Nhat Hanh’s insight that we are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness, Saint Mother Teresa’s invitation to do little things with great love, and his mother’s mantra, from the Gospel of Luke 12:48, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” He is deeply grateful for opportunities he has been given and the love and mentoring of so many. Thus, he seeks to live and share the abundant love and learning he has received with students, colleagues, his Seton Hall family, and all with whom he walks and works.
Education
- Doctorate of Social Work (D.S.W.), Rutgers University
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), DePaul University
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Loyola University, Chicago
Accomplishments
Publications and Presentations
Publications
- Nicotera, A. (2023). "The Circle of Insight: A process for deepening Ignatian imagination, and inviting hope" Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal, 12(2), Article 2.
- Nicotera, A., Apgar, D., & Murzaku, I. (2023). Centering those on the periphery: Mother Teresa as exemplar of Catholic Social Thought (CST) and social work core commitments to dignity, service, and justice. Journal of Vincentian Social Action, 7(1).
- Nicotera, A. (2022). "Our Illusion of Separateness: Teaching Social Justice to Social Work Students" In Jaffe, M., Jarrette-Kenny, M. (Eds.). Social Work in the Age of (Dis)Connection. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
- Nicotera, A. (2020). "A history of spirituality, religion, and social work: Using the “Circle of Insight” to challenge, question, and create a framework for spiritually sensitive practice" In Jaffe, M., Nicola, W., Floersch, J., Longhofer, J. (Eds.). Spirituality in mental health practice: A narrative casebook. New York, NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
- Nicotera, A. (2019). "Social justice and social work, a fierce urgency: Recommendations for social work social justice pedagogy" Journal of Social Work Education.
- Nicotera, A. (2018). "Teaching note—circle of insight: A paradigm and pedagogy for liberation social justice social work education" Journal of Social Work Education. 54:2, 384-391.
- Nicotera, A. "The Circle of Insight: A Process for Promoting Self-care, Transformative Leadership, and Health Equity" Community Spotlight Speaker. Community Health Advisory Board, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. (May 14, 2024).
Presentations (PR = peer reviewed; CE = continuing education credits offered)
- Nicotera, A. "The Circle of Insight: A Process for Promoting Self-care, Transformative Leadership, and Health Equity" Keynote Presenter. Personal Excellence Event. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. (May 7, 2024).
- Apgar, D., Murzaku, I, & Nicotera, "A. Finding God Through the Poor: Examining Poverty through a Catholic Social Thought (CST) Lens." Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Contemporary World, Seton Hall University Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Center for Catholic Studies, also part of Petersheim Academic Exposition. (April 22, 2024).
- Nicotera, A. "Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: From the Cycle of Socialization to Liberation" Life in a Traumatic World: Implications for Social Work Practice, NASW-NJ Annual Conference, accepted but presented due to illness, PR, CE. (April 16, 2024).
- Murzaku, I., Nicotera, A., & Roy, N. "Finding God Through the Poor, Revolution of the Heart: The Spirituality of Dorothy Day," The Center at Mariandale, PR. (April 13, 2024).
- Nicotera, A. "Mindful Meditation to Eradicate Social Isolation, Challenge Oppressive Systems and Build Beloved Community." Paul Shane Policy Symposium, New Jersey Bachelor of Social Work Education Association (NJBSWEA). (February 23, 2024).
- Nicotera, A. "Beloved Community A Paradigm for Peace and Wellness in The Fierce Urgency of Now" MLK Day at Seton Hall University. (January 15, 2024).
- Nicotera, A. & Best, J. "Economic Justice: Catholic Social Thought and Grand Challenges for Social Work." Civilizational Prospects: Engaging Wicked Problems, Seton Hall University. (November 17, 2023).
- Nicotera, A. "From the Cycle of Socialization to the Cycle of Liberation: A Pathway to Racial, Economic, and Social Justice." Culture Connections Continuing Education Workshop, PR, CE. (November 3, 2023).
- Nicotera, A. "SHU's CST in Action Academy: An Expression of Vatican II’s Gift of Servant Leadership in Catholic Education." Academic Service-Learning Colloquium, St. John’s University, PR. (October 27, 2023).
- Nicotera, A. "The Circle of Insight and Transformative Leadership." Culture Connections Professional Development Workshop, PR, CE. (October 19, 2023).
- Nicotera, A. "Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: Confronting Fear, Hate, and Social Injustice," Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education, PR, CE. (October 6, 2023).
- Murzaku, I., Apgar, D., Nicotera, A., "From Tradition to Innovation: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities in Catholic Studies, Catholic Studies Symposium." Seton Hall University’s Catholic Social Thought in Action Academy: A Model of Creative and Innovative Interdisciplinary Pedagogy. (September 16, 2023).
- Nicotera, A., Society of Spirituality and Social Work (SSSW) Annual Conference. Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: From the Cycle of Socialization to Liberation and Justice, PR, CE. (June 23, 2023).
- Nicotera, A., Canda, E. SSSW Annual Conference, Teaching Spiritually and Ecologically Sensitive Social Work: A Post-Master's Program Model. PR, CE. (June 22, 2023).
- Nicotera, A., Culture Connections Annual Conference, Keynote Presentation, Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: From the Cycle of Socialization to Liberation and Justice, PR, CE. (June 7, 2023).
- Nicotera, A., NJBSWEA Paul Shane Policy Symposium, Mindful Meditation for Self-Care and Social Justice. (February 2023).
- New Jersey Bachelor of Social Work Education Association, Virtual. (February 24, 2023).
- Nicotera, A., ACCU Annual Conference, Vatican II’s Theology of Service and Justice in the Fierce Urgency of Now: An Abiding Commitment to Dignity, Solidarity, and the Common Good, PR, CE. (February 2023).
- Nicotera, A., SHU MLK Day Celebration, Social Justice Paradigms of Peace, Collaboration, and Wellness. (January 2023).
- Nicotera, A., CSWE APM, Revolutionary Love & Healing Resistance: From the Cycle of Socialization to Liberation and Justice, PR, CE. (November 2022).
- Nicotera, A., Culture Connections Annual Conference, The Circle of Insight and Self-Care: Tools for Healing the Healers, PR, CE. (September 2022).
- Nicotera, A., NASW Annual Conference, The Fierce Urgency of Now: Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, PR, CE. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A., Culture Connections Workshop, The Circle of Insight and Self-Care: Tools for Healing the Healers, PR, CE. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A., NSWM Annual Conference, The Circle of Insight: Executive Leadership and Social Justice Practice, PR, CE. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A., SSSW Annual Conference, Spiritually Sensitive Social Work and the “Circle of Insight” Framework, PR, CE. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A., Culture Connections Cultural Competence Conference, Revolutionary Love & Healing Resistance Confronting Fear, Hate, and Social Injustice in a Time of Pandemic, Racial Reckoning, and Political Polarization, PR, CE. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A. Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) University, Saints and Promoters of Good Neighborliness Conference,Where Is The Love? Mother Teresa and Seton Hall University’s Catholic Social Thought in Action Academy, Budapest, Hungary. (June 2022).
- Nicotera, A., NASW-NJ Annual Conference, Mindfulness Practice and Meditation. (May 2022).
- Nicotera, A., NJBSWEA Paul Shane Policy Symposium, Mindful Meditation for Self-Care and Social Justice, New Jersey Bachelor of Social Work Education Association, Virtual. (February 2022).
- Nicotera, A. Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: Confronting Fear, Hate, and Social Injustice, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education, PR, CE. (December 2021).
- Nicotera, A. From the Cycle of Socialization to the Cycle of Liberation: A Pathway to Racial, Economic, and Social Justice, Cultural Competence Workshops, CultureConnections (December 2021).
- Nicotera, A. Spiritually Sensitive Social Work and Mental Health Practice, Continuing Education Workshop, Spence-Chapin and Rutgers School of Social Work, Virtual. (December 2021).
- Nicotera, A. From the Cycle of Socialization to the Cycle of Liberation: A Pathway to Racial, Economic, and Social Justice, CultureConnections, PR, CE. (November 2021).
- Barrett, C. H. (Business Librarian), Greenberg, S. A., Nicotera, A. L., Lhowe, C., Wiedman, G., New Faculty Orientation, What I Wish I had Known: Reflections from 2nd and 3rd Year Faculty, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, United States. (August 2021).
- Nicotera, A. L., Continuing Education Workshop, "Spiritually Sensitive Social Work and Mental Health Practice," Rutgers University School of Social Work. (July 16, 2021).
- Nicotera, A. Revolutionary Love and Healing Resistance: Confronting Fear, Hate, and Social Injustice in a Time of Pandemic, Racial Reckoning, and Political Polarization, Culture Connections Annual Conference, PR, CE. (June 2021).
- Nicotera, A. From the Cycle of Socialization to the Cycle of Liberation: A Pathway to Racial, Economic, and Social Justice, Culture Connections Annual Conference, PR, CE. (June 2021).
- Nicotera, A. The Society for Spirituality and Social Work (SSSW) Annual Conference, Spiritually Sensitive Social Work and the Circle of Insight Framework, workshop, PR, CE. (June 2021).
- Nicotera, A. The Society for Spirituality and Social Work (SSSW) Annual Conference, Teaching Spiritually Sensitive Social Work, workshop, PR, CE. (June 2021).
- Nicotera, A. Network of Social Work Managers (NSWM) Annual Conference, The Circle of Insight: Executive Leadership, Social Justice Practice & Maximizing Social Impact, Fordham University School of Social Work, NY, United States. (June 2021).
- Nicotera, A. Spiritually Sensitive Social Work: Integrating Spirituality and Religion in Practice, Workshop, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education, PR, CE. (May 2021).
- Nicotera, A. Spiritually Sensitive Social Work: Integrating Spirituality and Religion in Practice, Workshop, Rutgers Alumni Speaker Series, CE. (April 2021).
- Nicotera, A. NASW-NJ Annual Conference. Moderator. Enhancing Social Work Practice with Faith Inspired Clients, Constituents and Communities, with Dr. Altaf Husain, CE. (March 2021).
- Nicotera, A. L. (Panelist, Presenter), 2020 Presidential Election Recap Panel Discussion, Post-Election Reflection, Our Illusion of Separateness, Alpha Phi Alpha, Student Activities Board, Zoom. (November 2020).
- Nicotera, A., The Fierce Urgency of Now: Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, National Conference, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Washington, District of Columbia, accepted but not presented due to COVID-19, PR, CE. (June 2020).
- Nicotera, A. The Circle of Insight: Executive Leadership, Social Justice Practice & Maximizing Social Impact, Annual Conference, Presentation, Network of Social Work Managers, PR, CE. (June 2020).
- Nicotera, A. The Fierce Urgency of Now, Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, National Association of Social Workers, PR, CE. (May 2020).
- Nicotera, A. L., Virtual Brown Bag Lunch Series, "Spiritually Sensitive Social Work," Social Work Program, Seton Hall University, Virtual. (April 2020).
- Nicotera, A. Spiritually Sensitive Social Work: Integrating Spirituality and Religion in Practice, Continuing Education Workshop, Culture Connections, PR, CE. (April 2020).
- Nicotera, A. L., NASW-NJ Legislative Education and Advocacy Day, "Public Policy and Social Work Social Justice Advocacy," National Association of Social Workers, New Jersey, New Jersey State House, Trenton, NJ, United States. (March 2020).
- Manning, P. (panelist), Rios, J. (panelist), McCarren, G. (panelist), Klaus, A. (panelist), Rose-Wiles, L. (panelist), Savastano, P. (panelist), Nicotera, A. L. (panelist), McCrea, E. (panelist), "Contemplative Practices Panel," Center for Faculty Development. (February 2020).
- Nicotera, A. Hope in a Time of Anxiety, Living a Mindful Life, SouthNEXT, South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), South Orange, New Jersey. (October 2019).
- Nicotera, A. The Fierce Urgency of Now Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, Workshop, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education, PR, CE. (October 2019).
- Nicotera. A. Featured Presentation at Film Screening, Mindfulness and Justice of The 5 Powers film, which I helped produce, about Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, see https://mindfulworld.vhx.tv/ Buddhist Retreat, Thich Nhat Hanh Order of Interbeing. (May 2019).
- Nicotera, A. Keynote Address, The Fierce Urgency of Now: Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, Seventh Annual Conference, Culture Connections, New Jersey. (May 2019).
- Nicotera, A. The Circle of Insight: Promoting Social Justice Practice, Seventh Annual Culture Counts Conference, Workshop, Culture Connections, PR, CE. (May 2019).
- Nicotera, A. Martin Luther King, Jr Day Leadership Program Conference, Presentation - Civic Engagement, Confrontation and Resolution: What can be done on campus, in our schools and communities? With Richard Blissett, Sherman Donovan, and Elisabeth Redwine, Seton Hall University. (January 2019).
- Nicotera, A. The Fierce Urgency of Now Deepening Our Commitment to Social Justice Practice, Workshop, Rutgers University Office of Continuing Education, PR, CE. (January 2019).Journal of Social Work Education
- "Teaching Note (2018): Circle of Insight: A Paradigm, Process, and Pedagogy for Liberation, Holistic Social Work Education."
Honors and Service
- Social Work Honor Society. Invited and inducted into Phi Alpha. (May 2022).
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Summit for Critical Conversations on Religion,
Faith, and Spirituality in Social Work Education and Practice. Selected to participate
in 4 day convening with social work. (July 2021).
- Invitation to lead reflection and invocation, honoring Drs. Bernard LaFayette and
Forrest Pritchett at the Inaugural Peace and Community Justice Speaker series, hosted
by the Community Care and Justice Initiative, South Orange, NJ. (May 2021).
- Featured in NASW-NJ Focus Online Magazine, A Response to Crisis: Addressing our Illusion of Separateness, pp. 8-9. (July 2020).
- Archdiocese of Newark, Recognition Award for Service to Catholic Urban Schools Partnership. (December 2019).
- Seton Hall University, A&S Core Curriculum Committee
- Seton Hall University, Middle States Working Group on Educational Effectiveness Assessment.
- SHU MLK Day Planning Committee. Presenter.
- University CORE 1101 Assessment Committee. Committee Member and Assessor.
- Seton Hall University, A&S Human Rights and Dignity Committee, Alternate.
- Seton Hall University, Planning Committee, Contemplative Pedagogy Initiative.
- Seton Hall University, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Committee, White Allyship Working Group.
- Seton Hall University, A&S Nominations and Elections Committee. Member.
- Rutgers University Foundation, Achievement Award for Service to the University.
- Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Holding Company, Treasurer, Board Member.
- Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work. Invited to serve as peer reviewer for proposed article entitled Recognizing and Addressing Spiritual Trauma in Clinical Social Work Practice with LGBTQIA+ Individuals: A Case Formulation.
- Australian Social Work: The Journal of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Invited by editor to serve as peer reviewer for special journal issue on embodiment and social work