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Dr. Dorrance Kennedy

Dr. Dorrance Kennedy

Associate Professor

Dr. Dorrance Kennedy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University and his Master of Social Work degree from Southern University. He earned the Doctor of Education degree from Fayetteville State University. His dissertation was entitled "Factors influencing the academic progression of male students in selected North Carolina universities." Dr. Kennedy has presented his research at national conferences including the Council on Social Work Education.

Dr. Kennedy’s professional experience focuses on children and families. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who was employed for several years as a school social worker in Louisiana, Illinois, and Missouri. He has also counseled couples and military families. He has completed training at the United Way Multicultural Leadership Program and the Institute for Community Leadership. He is a former board member of the Fayetteville Family Life Center and the African American Advisory Committee of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Dr. Kennedy is a member of the NAACP and the National Association of Black Social Workers. He is the author of Wisdom from My Father’s Porch: A Guide for Young Black Men.

Education

  • EdD, Fayetteville State University

  • MSW, Southern University

  • BS, Hampton University

Courses
  • SWRK 340-Social Welfare Policy I
  • SWRK 350- Social Welfare Policy II
  • SWRK 425- Social Work with Families
  • SWRK 603- Human Behavior and Social Environment II
  • SWRK 609- Social Work Practice with Groups
Research Interests
  • Social Justice
  • Retention in Higher Education
Publications
  • Kennedy, D. (2021). Wisdom from My Father’s Porch: A Guide for Young Black Men. Chicago: African American Images.
  • Kennedy, D., Corbin , D. , Dilday, C., Marquez, M., and Nichols, Q. (2018) "African American Church Social Entrepreneurship as Macro Social Work, " Journal of Sociology and Social Work: Vol. 6: No.1.
  • Kennedy, D. and Wilson-Jones, L. (2017) "Undergraduate African American Males' Narratives on the Personal Factors Influencing Retention in the Social Sciences," Journal of Research Initiatives: Vol. 3: No. 1, Article8.

Presentations
  • “The Legacy of Whitney Young” Fayetteville State University School of Social Work Faculty Lecture Series, Fayetteville, NC, February 2023.
  • "The Impact of Ronald Dellums" Fayetteville State University School of Social Work Faculty Lecture Series, Fayetteville, NC, February 2022.
  • “The Status of HBCUs”, National Association of Black Social Workers Cape Fear Chapter. Fayetteville, NC, February 2021
  • "Carter G. Woodson, HBCUs, and Social Work Education" National Association of Black Social Workers Annual Conference, Washington DC, April 2019.
  • “Engaging the spirituality of social work clients”, Council on Social Work Education Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH, November 2016.
Professional Memberships
  • NAACP
  • National Association of Black Social Workers
  • Phi Alpha Honor Society
GRANTS, HONORS, AND AWARDS

Co-Investigator

Policy Practice in Field Education Initiative

Council on Social Work Education

May 2020-February 2022

Teacher of the Year

School of Social Work

2022-23