Rita Walters, PhD

Rita Walters, PhD

Department Chair
Social Work
Phone: (231) 591-2798
Email: [email protected]

Education

• PhD, Michigan State University, Social Work
• Master of Social Work, Michigan State University, Clinical Social Work
• BS, Lincoln University, Criminal Justice

Biography

Dr. Walters earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO and both Masters of Social Work and PhD in Social Work from Michigan State University. Her research has focused on African American children with disabilities and their parents, Black college students at predominantly white institutions, cultural competence, and international social work.

Dr. Walters holds a license in clinical social work and has the following affiliations: National Association of Black Social Workers; Lansing Area AIDS Network Board of Directors, Wayne State University Developmental Disabilities Institute Advisory Council, and the American Civil Liberties Union Lansing Chapter.

Presentations

• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R., Nowak, K., 43rd Annual Conference, "Using a Study Abroad Program to Build Partnerships with Social Service organizations in Haiti," National Council for Back Studies, New Orleans, LA, (March 2019).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R., Ambikar, R., Durrani, M., Rodriquez, M., McMickens, G., Guy-Lee, A., 117th Annual Meeting, "Woc’ing in the Academy: Women and Nonbinary Anthropologists of Color at Primarily White Institutions," American Anthropological Association, San Jose, CA, (November 2018).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Panelist), Church of the Nazarene Annual Haiti Flag Day Celebration, "How to Best Meet the Needs of Haitians Through Partnerships," Church of the Nazarene, Grand Rapids, Michigan, (May 20, 2018).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Presenter), National Council on Black Studies 42nd Annual Conference, "Black Faculty Mentoring Black Students at a Predominantly White Institution," National Council on Black Studies, Atlanta, GA, (March 16, 2018).
• Faculty Learning Community
  Walters, R. (Leader), Guy-Lee, A. (Leader), Flipping the Script: Students Teaching Faculty How to Create an Equitable and Inclusive Classroom, "Flipping the Script: Students Teaching Faculty How to Create an Equitable and Inclusive Classroom," Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, Big Rapids, MI, (January 23, 2018).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Panelist), Foulk, R., Fox, S., Expect Diversity television program, "How Should We Deal with American Patriotic Symbols That Stem from Dark Origins," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (October 2017).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Presenter), 2017 Michigan Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Educators Conference, "Using the Ubuntu Philosophy to Create a Safe Environment for Teaching Diversity in a Classroom Setting," Michigan Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Educators, University Center, Michigan, (March 31, 2017).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Panelist), Alexander, J. (Panelist), Kermit-Canfield, M. E. (Panelist), Expect Diversity television program, "The Movement that is Feminism and its Effects in Colleges and Universities," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (March 2017).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Panelist), Peruvian Community Service Workers Meeting, "Healthcare and Social Work in the U.S. with Children with Disabilities and Their Families," Alto Cayma Mission, Alto Cayma, Peru, (May 11, 2016).
• Oral Presentation
  Walters, R. (Panelist), Bokovich, B., Expect Diversity television program, "White Privilege," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (April 2016).