Phd Student Profile

Khalid Alshehri has a master’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Imam Mohammed Saud University in Saudi Arabia. Alshehri has a practice background working with people experiencing food insecurity and in a variety of other social service and volunteer roles. Prior to joining the University…

Kenyette Garrett is a doctoral candidate in social work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with over 14 years of professional experience in child welfare, community mental health, and care coordination. Garrett’s research interests include racial equity in music education, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the experiences of Black women in doctoral social work programs. She…

Eliza Galvez is a PhD Candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work. Her research focuses on implementation science, cultural tailoring, and community-based approaches to prevention. Her scholarship is informed by her experience working with underserved communities through nonprofit and health-focused initiatives, and she currently provides pro bono clinical services to Spanish-speaking…

Working in the field of child welfare for over 10 years has made me aware of various gaps when it comes to policies set in place to protect the most vulnerable of all citizens, children. My area of interest is just that, child welfare on a macro scale and the polices set in place that…

A faculty member with several years of academic experience, specializing in research, strategic planning, and teaching, with a strong commitment to raising educational standards. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, I actively mentor students and lead accreditation initiatives to ensure academic excellence. Driven by my passion for continuous improvement, I integrate innovative educational practices to…

Cat Steele is an incoming first generation PhD student in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she also earned both her Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW). Her research focuses on expanding and refining mental health diagnostic criteria for adults with intellectual and…

Hailey Crowe is a first-generation college graduate from Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned her Associate of Science in Social Work from Pellissippi State Community College, her Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from UTK…

Peter Kingsley is an active-duty military member with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brigham Young University, as well as a master’s degree in education, focusing on applied behavior analysis, from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Wyoming. In his clinical work, Pete has experience in working…

Shani has been an active contributor to community development and education, particularly focused on supporting children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in India. During her master’s program at St. Berchmans College, India, she undertook diverse research projects on topics such as Women Empowerment through Microenterprises, and Psychosocial Development of Psychiatric Patients through Vocational Rehabilitation. Her dedication to the…