Cathy Stanley has been teaching at Northeastern Illinois University in the Social Work Program since 1990. She started out as an adjunct faculty, became a visiting lecturer for several years until 1996 when she was promoted to assistant professor in the program on a tenure track position. Cathy has taught Human Behavior I and II, Social Work Practice I and II. She has also taught Child Welfare Services, Social work with Women, Social Work Advocacy, Social Research and Introduction to Social Work. Currently she is conducting the Field Seminar and Field Practicum Courses.

Cathy received her B.A. degree in 1976 from Virginia Union University. She majored in social work with a minor in gerontology. She then attended Virginia Commonwealth University and received a MSW in 1979.  Cathy is ABD in the adult education program at Northern Illinois University.  The focus of her graduate work was on mental health and mental retardation and her PH.D. focus in on culture as a way of knowing.  Throughout her college career Cathy was a Vista Volunteer and worked in various community settings. After receiving her MSW, Cathy spent the next fifteen years working in the field of social work in a variety of settings which include providing services to families living in housing projects in Richmond, Virginia. During this time, she also taught at Virginia Union University in the Department of Social Work where she taught in the undergraduate social work program. The courses that she taught at the University consisted of Human Behavior, Social Work Practice, Gerontology and Child Welfare Services. It was also during this time that Cathy served as the Director of Field Instruction.

Cathy continues to work in the field of social work and has had her own private practice as well as developed and implemented several programs for mental health and child welfare agencies. She has held the position of Director of Clinical and Administrative Services for Midwest Family Resources, a program of Uhlich Children's Home until 1996. Cathy continues to divide her time between teaching and clinical pursuits to keep abreast of the continual changes with the social work profession.  

Cathy is a single mother of a teenage old daughter, who has been her inspiration.