Dr. DeBrenna LaFa Agbenyiga

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Michigan State University
College of Social Science
Social Work
Organization & Community Practice
Assistant ProfessorAppointed: 2005
Michigan State University
College of Social Science
Assistant Dean for DiversityAppointed: 2006
Michigan State University
International Studies & Programs
African Studies Center
Core FacultyAppointed: 2006
University of Ghana
Social Work
ConsultantAppointed: 2005
University of Ghana
Social Work
Visiting LecturerAppointed: 2005
Michigan State University
Women and International Development
Core FacultyAppointed: 2005

Mailing Address

School of Social Work
104 Baker Hall
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (517) 432-4459
Fax: (517) 353-3038
agbenyi1@msu.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., Michigan State University, Social Work, 2005.
M.S.W., Michigan State University, Social Work, 1999.
Graduate Certificate, University of South Carolina, Public Health, 1996.
B.S., University of South Carolina, Criminal Justice, 1993.

Expertise and Research Interests

International Social Work Practice (focus on women, child welfare/child rights, family, development and health)
International Social Work education and field training
Cross-cultural Comparative Organizational Analysis
Foster/Kinship Care (Policy and Service Delivery)
Diversity (faculty and student recruitment/retention/assessment--curriculum)
Community Partnerships
Mixed-method Research Design and Theoretical Modeling
Organizational Culture

Other Expertise

Direct Practice with groups, organizations and communities
Women's Issues, including domestic violence, social justice and empowerment

Future Research

Refugee Women (Africa)
HIV/AIDS
Diversity and Organizational Culture in Social Services Agency
Interdisciplinary professional training

Keywords

COS Keywords:

AIDS, Cross Cultural Studies, Cultural Diversity, Family, HIV, Organizational Theory and Behavior, Refugee Or Immigrant Services, Social Work.

Additional Terms:

Commercial Sex Workers, Diversity, Family, HIV/AIDS, Organizational Culture, Refugee and Immigration Patterns and Services.

Memberships

African Studies Association
Association for Community Organization & Social Administration
Council on Social Work Education
International Association of Schools of Social Work
International Consortium for Social Development
National Association of Social Workers
Society for Social Work Research
West African Research Association

Honors and Awards

2004-2005, Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Michigan State University Graduate School, Michigan State University
2004-2005, All-University Excellence In Diversity, Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring, Michigan State University, Excellence in Diversity
2002-2005, King Chavez Parks (KCP) Future Faculty Fellowship, Michigan Department of Career Development Office of Post Secondary Services, Michigan State University
2002-2002, Summer Acceleration Research Fellowship, Graduate School and College of Social Science, Michigan State University, Ethnographic Research inTogo, West Africa
1999-1999, Future Public Service Leader Award, School of Social Work, Michigan State University
1998, Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, School of Social Work, Michigan State University
1988-1999, Urban Affairs Graduate Fellowship, Center for Urban Affairs, Michigan State University

Previous Positions

2000-2004, Evaluator, Genesee Intermediate School District
2000-2005, Clinical Instructor, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Social Work, Organization & Community Practice
2000-2001, Evaluator, Science in the City Program
2000-2006, Assistant to the Dean, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Diversity and Multicultural Programs, Dean's Office
1999-2000, Evaluator, Neighborhood Youth and Parent Prevention Partnership
1999-2005, Diversity/Academic Specialist, Michigan State University, College of Social Science, Social Work

Funding Received

  • U.S. Department of State Office Of Citizen Exchange--Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs: Entrepreneurship Training Program: A Ghana-United States Exchange Program--Ghana Workforce Development Project, $125,000, 2004 to 2005.
  • United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Recruitment and Retention Child Welfare Project, $978,500, 2003 to 2008.
  • Court Administration of Michigan: Joint Training of Lawyers and Social Workers, $58,260, 2002 to 2003.

Publications

  • Agbenyiga, DeBrenna, Organizational Culture Research Design: A Human Services Perspective
  • Agbenyiga, DeBrenna, Organizational Culture: Understanding Its Meaning, Impact and Influences

Profile Details

Last Updated: 11/30/2006

COS Expertise ID #1203368
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/agbenyigadeb