Instructor
Professor Kephart is the field director and instructor in the Social Work and Sociology bachelor programs. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania and brings her clinical and administrative expertise in the social work field to the classroom, as well as supports education opportunities through community networking. During her work as a clinical social worker in the community, Professor Kephart has held various roles at the micro, mezzo, and macro level systems, participating in community coalitions, task forces, and community-integrated systems in analyzing community needs. She has implemented evidence-based family therapy, school-based behavioral health, and child welfare programming. Professor Kephart has also developed grants to improve community initiatives at the community and state levels. Professor Kephart has led professional initiatives within local agencies in developing formal internship programming to promote the growth of future social workers at both the bachelor and master levels. Currently, Professor Kephart continues to provide clinical supervision hours for social work and counseling professionals in obtaining their licensures in Pennsylvania and supports the Phi Alpha National Chapter Social Work Honor Society and Active Minds Clubs for students within our Mercyhurst community.
“There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.” - Mary Rose McGeady
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania
- Master’s in social work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
- B.S. in Education, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
- Diversity in Society
- Human Behavior in Social Environment I
- Human Behavior in Social Environment II
- Social Welfare Analysis
- Grief and Loss
- Children in Society
- Seminar
- Field Internships
- Fidelity and adherence to service modalities in community programming
- Impact of trauma-informed inclusionary educational practices in higher education
- Mercyhurst CTE Faculty Presentation – Trauma Informed Educational Panel
- QPR presentations in developing Suicide Awareness in the community
- Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society – Recruitment Funding
- DIEJ Grant for inclusionary programming for AIM Students within our MU community
- Developing partnerships with community agencies, schools and organizations in setting up internships for BSW Field Internships
- Utilizing community partnerships to enhance the classroom educational experience through educational opportunities of guest speakers and field experience opportunities within the community
- Developing a community partnership with Edison Elementary Community School through the implementation of a Social Emotional Learning program as an educational opportunity in the field for MU Practice students
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker-PA Licensure (since 2011)
- Certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Instructor
- Erie Coalition for a Trauma Informed Community (ECTIC)
Professor Kephart enjoys teaching and utilizes a trauma-informed teaching approach in the classroom. She diligently works to engage students and utilizes various pedagogy strategies in meeting the needs of all students. Professor Kephart enjoys teaching Diversity in Society as recognizing the importance of Diversity, Inclusion, Education, and Social Justice within our community. She equally enjoys teaching Social Work courses in developing practice skills of future community social workers in theoretical and practice skills.
Supporting BSW Senior Research project efforts through the demonstration of the implementation of research into practice through internal DIEJ grants