Faculty and Staff Profiles

Teaching allows me to utilize a student-centered approach to educating students while preparing them for ethical and professional social work practice. As a Clinical Associate Professor, I provide each student the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that encourages the use of critical thinking and application of successful practice methods.

I serve as a skilled social worker with over 20 years of experience in direct service provision as well as professional training, coaching and mentoring while implementing an integrative pedagogy. My approach to higher education centers on supporting the individual’s personal and professional development while empowering them to explore self-awareness and clarity in cultural and cognitive processes. My dedication to the goals and vision established by the academic partnerships of social work is demonstrated in my passion for teaching and promotion of professionalism and teamwork.

As a Faculty Advisor for undergraduate social work students, I promote the development of self-awareness, relational, and soft skills to enhance professional success. In the role of Director of BA Field Placement, I offer guidance and supportive assistance to goal-oriented students who desire to help others while maintaining substantial commitment to community outreach. Program coordination provides an opportunity to create sustainable methods of recruiting, retaining, and teaching students using a collaborative approach valuing all contributions to success.

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• PhD Urban Affairs - The University of Memphis - Current
• MSSW Social Work - The University of Tennessee at Knoxville - 2010
• Bachelor of Arts Degree Psychology - The University of Memphis - 2000

• Clinical Associate Professor/ BASW Program Director, The School of Social Work - The University of Memphis - 2022 - Present
• Clinical Assistant Professor/ Director of BA Field Placement, The School of Social Work - The University of Memphis - 2015 - 2022
• Instructor/ Coordinator, The Department of Social Work - The University of Memphis - 2013 - 2015
• Social Worker, The Blues Project - The University of Tennessee Health Science Center - 2012 - 2013
• Project Associate, Child Welfare Training Center - The University of Memphis - 2006 - 2012
• Recruiter, Case Management - Tennessee Department of Children's Services - 2003 - 2005
• Case Management / Program Training Specialist, Direct Service Provision/ Human Resources - Memphis and Shelby County Children's Community Services Agency - 2000 - 2003
• Child Support Services, Support Program - YWCA - 1998 - 2000
• Customer Service/ RFP Analyst, Customer Service/ Human Resources - Promus Company/ Hilton Hotel Corporation - 1995 - 1998

• Sunny Andrews Award for Outstanding Commitment to Social Work Regulatory Board Service - The Association of Social Work Boards - 2023
• Social Work Educator of the Year Award - The National Association of Social Workers, Tennessee - 2021
• Elected Board Secretary for the Tennessee Health Related Board for Social Work - The Tennessee Health Related Board for Social Work - 2019 - 2020
• Gubernatorial Reappointment to the Tennessee Regulatory Board for Social Work - The Tennessee Health Related Board for Social Work - 2018 - 2023
• Social Work Advisor Excellence Award - The University of Memphis, School of Social Work Graduating Cohort - 2018
• Gubernatorial Appointment to the Tennessee Regulatory Board for Social Work - The Tennessee Health Related Board for Social Work - 2013 - 2018
• Phi Alpha Honor Society - The University of Tennessee Knoxville - 2010

• SWRK 2010: Introduction to Social Work - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 3010: Social Response to Human Need - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 3902: Human Behavior and the Social Environment - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 3903: Social Work Practice I - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 3904: Social Work Practice II - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 4830: Field Instruction I - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 4831: Field Instruction II - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 4840: Integrative Field Seminar I - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 4841: Integrative Seminar II - The University of Memphis
• SWRK 7056: MSW Integrated Field Seminar - The University of Memphis

• Social Work Degree Programs - Coalition of Black Social Workers - Faculty Advisor - 2021 - Current Year
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work - Pre-social work students at Memphis Campus- Sophomores & Juniors - 2022 - Current
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work - All Memphis Campus social work student interns enrolled in 4830/4831. - 2015 - 2022

• Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence Workshop - April 6, 2023 - The University of Memphis - The ASPIRED Project
• Build Healthy Challenge Grant Application - August 2022 - January 2023 - Memphis, TN - Memphis Public Interest Law Center
• Evicted Exhibition Proposal - August 2023 - November 2023 - The Memphis Public Library - The Housing Project
• Greater Memphis Housing Justice Summary - August 2023 - November 2023 - The Univesity of Memphis - Partnership - Memphis Public Interest Law Center
• Study Abroad - Social Work in Paris - June 2022 - July 2022 - Paris, France - UofM Study Abroad
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Social Work Regulation - March 18, 2021 - Virtual Meeting - Association of Social Work Boards
• Tennessee State Field Consortium - February 2020 - Nashville, TN - The School of Social Work
• Field Coordination and Program Directors Meeting - 2019 - Quarterly - UM School of Social Work - BA Field Director
• Continuing Education Initiative (UM School of Social Work) - 2019 - Quarterly - UM School of Social Work: Memphis & Lambuth Campuses - UM School of Social Work
• Green Zone/ Veteran- Campus friendly safe zone - 2018 - Current - The University of Memphis - UM Office of Veteran Services
• Association of Social Work Boards Annual Meeting - November 11 - 14, 2014 - Boise, ID - ASWB/ State of Tennessee
• Association of Social Work Boards Voting Delegate (TN) - November 6 -9, 2019 - Orlando, FL - ASWB- Nominating Committee Slate

• Research Committee Chair - Social Work Regulators - Volunteers - 2023 - 2025 - The Association of Social Work Boards
• Memphis Public Interest Law Center - Cohort Research Team - 2022 - 2023 - SUAPP PhD
• Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) - Social Work Faculty Member - 2022 - Current - The University of Memphis
• Cure Violence - Community Advisory Board - Heal901 - 2022 - Current - Shelby County Health Department
• Nominating Committee - Determining slate for board members elections - Appointed Committee Members - 2021 - 2023 - The Association of Social Work Boards
• Search Committee for Chief Executive Officer - Association of Social Work Boards Hiring Committee - February 2022 - June 2022 - The Association of Social Work Boards
• Truth, Justice, & Liberation Collaborative - Social work students discussing anti-racism and healing. - 2021-2022 - Portland State University, University of Alabama, Michigan State University, and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• Coalition of Black Social Workers - University of Tennessee -All Campuses - 2020 - Current - UM Tiger Zone - Office of Student Involvement
• Continuing Competence Committee - Social Work Policy Regulators - Analyze policy for best practices - 2018 - 2019 -  
• North American Network of Field Educators and Directors - Kenya Anderson - 2020 - Current - UofM School of Social Work
• Regulatory Education Committee - Volunteer Social Work Regulators- Education Conference Planning - 2016 - 2018 - The Association of Social Work Boards
• TN Department of Health Related Boards- Social Work - 11 Board Members - 2013 - Current - Gubernatorial Appointment - State of Tennessee
• Community Alliance for the Homeless - Project Homeless Connect - 200+ - 2013 - 2013 - Volunteerism
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - Practicing Member - 2013 - Current - Professional Membership
• Association of Social Work Boards Volunteer - Social work member boards - 2005 - Current - Tennessee Health Related Board for Social Work

• The University of Memphis - ASCEND: CAS Committee Creating Opportunites to Succeed - October 2023 - December 2023
• The University of Memphis- School of Social Work - Recruitment & Retention Ad Hoc Committee - 2022 - Present
• The University of Memphis- Athletics - Search Committee - Assistant Director of Mental Health - 2022-2022
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - BA Program Coordinator - July 2022 - Current
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Field Instructor - 2021-2022
• The University of Memphis, College of Arts and Sciences - Experiential Learning Fellowship -CAS Faculty Sponsor - 2021-22
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Continuous Quality Improvement Committtee - 2020-2021
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Search Committee, Lecturer - 2020
• The University of Memphis - Faculty Advisor/ Coalition of Black Social Workers (CBSW) - 2020 - Current
• The University of Memphis - Hearing Officer - Office of Institutional Equity/Student Accountability - 2020 - Current
• The University of Memphis - Disability Resources for Students Faculty Advisory Committee - 2019 - Current
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Admissions Reviewer - 2018 - Present
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Search Committee, Field Director - 2018
• The University of Memphis, School of Social Work - Field Liaison - 2013 - Current
• The University of Memphis - Academic Advising Network (AAN) - 2013 - Current

• The Memphis Public Interest Law Center - August 2022 - June 2023
• Heal 901 Cure Violence - 2023
• Engage Together - Restore Corps - 2021 - Present
• Austin Peay State University - Social Work Field Education - March 2022
• Lincoln Memorial University, Department of Social Work - 2021 - 2022
• Association of Social Work Boards- Exam Advisory Committee - 2021 - 2022
• Tennessee Public Behavioral Health Workforce Workgroup - March 2021 - August 2021
• National Black Leadership Commission on Health Diabetes Prevention Web Series - 2020-2021
• Our Village, Memphis, TN - Consultation on area resources for non-profit - June 2019 - August 2019
• Association of Social Work Boards - Continuing Competence Committee - 2019
• Association of Social Work Boards - Regulatory Education Committee (REAL) - 2016 - 2018
• Association of Black Social Workers - Memphis Chapter Origination, Founding Member - October 2015 -2016
• The Tennessee Department of Children- Sex Trafficking Policy Development - January 2014

• Simmons, L. D., Taylor, L. C., Anderson, K., & Neely-Barnes, S. L. (2018). Comparative experiences of first- and continuing-generation social work students. Journal of Social Work Education, 54(3), 480–491.

• Delavega, E., Watson, J., Anderson, K., Seemann, D., & Ombayo, B. (2023). Culture of poverty, blaming, and racism: Teaching anti-racist practice in social work. Panel accepted to the 69th Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, October 26-29, Atlanta, GA.

• Anderson, K., Lawrence, A., & Wilson, C. (2023). Social Work Licensure in Tennessee- Administrative Guidance for Success. Accepted to the Annual Social Work Symposium at the University of Memphis, April 14, 2023, Memphis, TN.
• Anderson, K. (March 2023) Governance as Service. Presented at the Coalition of Black Social Workers Annual Conference, March 3, 2023, Nashville, TN.
• Anderson, K. (March 2020). Diversity & Equity in Social Work Regulation. Virtual presentation in the Board Member Exchange at the Association of Social Work Boards Annual Education Meeting. 
  
• Anderson, K., Bonner, C., Delva, J., Fisher, B. Yadama, G. (August 2020). Moving Toward Antiracism: Developing Action for Social Work Academic Institutions. Virtual Presentation National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter and the Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers.
  
• Anderson, K. & Woods, B. (April 2019) Prudent Parenting Workshop. Presented at the University of Memphis Social Work Symposium.
  
• Hirschi, M. & Anderson, K. (2019 April). Is It Me? Understanding the Role of Power in Our Educational System and the Detrimental Impact for Our Children. Workshop presentation at the University of Memphis Social Work Symposium, Memphis, TN.
• Anderson, K., & Hirschi, M. (2019 July). Understanding the Role of Power in Our Educational System and the Impact for Our Children. Workshop presentation at the Tennessee National Association of Multicultural Education Inaugural Conference, Cookeville, TN.
• Anderson, K. (August 2019) Social Work Licensure Updates in Tennessee. Presentation at the National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter Lunch and Learn, Memphis, TN.
  
• Anderson, K., & Hirschi, M. (September 2019). Power and Ethics in Our Educational System: The Role of Social Workers in Our Schools. Workshop presentation at the Tennessee Association of School Social Workers Annual Conference, Cordova, TN.
• Hirschi, M., & Anderson, K. (October 2019). Is it me? Understanding power in our educational system and our role. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
• Jin, S., Yoon, Y. Hirschi, M. & Anderson, K. (November 2019). Cultural Barriers to Colorectal Cancer among Korean Americans. Poster Presentation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, Colorado.
• Anderson, K. (April 2017). Moderator for Student Liability Workshop.  Association of Social Work Boards Annual Education Conference, Las Vegas, NV.  
• Anderson, K. (May 2016). First Generation Faculty Advocates. Workshop presentation at the University of Memphis, Memphis In May Student Affairs Conference.
  
• Anderson, K. (November 2014) Social Work Licensure in Tennessee. Presentation at the National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter Lunch and Learn, Memphis, TN.