Ken Marfilius is an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Social Work and Faculty Director of Online Programs and Strategic Initiatives in the School of Education at Syracuse University. He is responsible for planning, administering, and supporting the successful implementation of current and future online programming. In his previous role as Falk College Assistant Dean of Online and Distance Education, he directed the launch of six online graduate programs in the Falk College, where he developed and implemented strategic plans and policies for online learning, performed routine program assessments, and enhanced educational experiences for students relating to online programming.
He currently serves as the Associate Director of Education and Training at the Syracuse University Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation (CHB)—a joint initiative of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Office of Research, and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. In this role, he contributes to the center’s mission of advancing translational health behavior research, education, and workforce training through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Marfilius also co-founded and serves as Associate Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) Resiliency Program (ORP) in partnership with the School of Social Work and Hendricks Chapel. The ORP is an innovative wellness initiative designed to enhance the overall well-being of veteran and military-connected students as they navigate higher education. Staffed by graduate social work students under clinical supervision, the program provides concierge-style, wraparound support to ensure academic and personal success throughout the transition from military to civilian life.
Marfilius is a current member of the Syracuse University Faculty Oversight Committee on Athletics and a member of the Syracuse University Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) Advisory Board, contributing his expertise in mental health, military culture, and student support to help shape university-wide initiatives that impact student-athletes and military-connected learners.
Prior to his new appointments, Marfilius served as the first Falk College Assistant Dean for Online & Distance Education, the School of Social Work’s Undergraduate Program Director, MSW Online Program Director, Falk College Director of Online and Distance Education, and an Assistant Teaching Professor in Falk College’s School of Social Work. He has taught courses on topics such as social work intervention, military culture and mental health practice, psychopathology, social work practice in mental health, and others. Marfilius’ work is dedicated to serving active-duty military, veterans, and their families. He developed the first military mental health course at Syracuse University’s Falk College. Dr. Marfilius served as a Falk College Student Veteran Liaison and coordinated the Veteran Cultural Competence Training and Theater of War Performance at Syracuse University. He was one of five panelists at the National Veteran Resource Center Theater of War performance focused on Veteran PTSD and suicide. In addition, he led the formulation of the first Legal-Social Work Partnership between the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and the College of Law to help veterans access the legal services they need.
Furthermore, Marfilius designed the first sport social work course and established the first sport social work internship at the Syracuse University School of Social Work. This initiative focuses on the mental health and well-being of student-athletes. It integrates social work perspectives with athletic trends, offering outreach initiatives and various mental health awareness programs. This program not only fosters a supportive environment for student-athletes but also paves the way for future developments in the emerging field of sport social work.
Marfilius has given several presentations and trainings on topics ranging from veteran cultural competence to trauma-informed care at venues including the Association for Humanistic Counseling National Conference, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, the National Science Foundation Trauma Research Training, SUNY Empire State College, Student Leadership Institute Mental Health Awareness, “Military Culture and Mental Health Awareness,” New York Air National Guard, In-Service Training
“Military Culture and Mental Health Practice,” NASW New York State Chapter, Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative, “The Relationship Between Military Culture and Social Work Practice,” and the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, among others.
He received the 2023–2024 Syracuse University Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award for Continuing Excellence, the Syracuse University for Disability Resources 2021 Faculty Recognition Award, the Syracuse University One University Assessment: 2021 Best Use of Results, Social Work BSSW Program, and the 2022 Syracuse University Falk College Faculty of the Year Award for Excellence in Service. Marfilius is the Faculty Specialist of the Health Resources and Services Administration: Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals, an interdisciplinary collaboration training for integrated behavioral health care. He is the Principal Investigator of the George W. Bush, Team 43 Evaluation and Co-Principal Investigator of the Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma in Military Families Falk College Research Center Seed Grant. Dr. Marfilius routinely makes national television and print media appearances, most recently on CBS News, Fox News, ABC News, Hill.TV, WAER-FM, Military.com, WCNY’s Connect New York, and 570 WSYR Radio, among others.
Dr. Marfilius is a United States Air Force Veteran. While on active duty, he served in the U.S. Air Force Biomedical Science Corps in multiple roles, including mental health therapist, family advocacy officer in charge, and manager of the alcohol and drug prevention and treatment program. He transitioned out of the Air Force in 2016 having obtained the rank of Captain. Marfilius served in a variety of mental health roles related to sexual assault prevention and response, suicide prevention, and traumatic stress. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program and served as a Disruptive Behavior Committee Member.
He is honored with an Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal. He is a recipient of the U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship and the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and has twice been awarded the Medical Operations Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. Marfilius has served on several committees at Syracuse University, including as Chair of the Council on Social Work Education Self-Study Steering Committee. He earned a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (D.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 2018 and 2013, respectively, and a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from Syracuse University in 2011. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of North Carolina and is certified in Prolonged Exposure Therapy.
Education
- D.S.W., School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
- M.S.W. School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, Syracuse University
Research & Scholarship
Research Focus:Military mental health, military families, veteran social work, homelessness, domestic violence, suicide prevention, substance use prevention and treatment, and military culture and social work practice
Courses Taught
- FYS 101: First Year Seminar 101
- HSH 101: First-Year Gateway Course
- SWK 401: Strategies of Social Work Intervention I
- SWK 402: Strategies of Social Work Intervention II
- SWK 427/627: Introduction to Military Culture and Mental Health Practice
- SWK 601: Fundamentals of Social Work Practice I
- SWK 724: Psychopathology
- SWK 733: Social Work Practice in Mental Health