Melissa Powell-Williams
Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
School of Public Health
Department of Institute for Public and Preventive Health
Administration
Department of Institute for Public and Preventive Health
Education
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Ph.D., SociologySouthern Illinois University a, 2008
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MA, SociologySouthern Illinois University a, 2005
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BA, SociologySouthern Illinois University a, 2003
Awards & Honors
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Richard S. Wallace Distinguished Service AwardAugusta University, 2019
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Caught in the Act of Representing Values of AU--InclusivityAcademic and Faculty Affairs, 2016
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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SOCI 4442
Gender & Society
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WGST 4442
Gender & Society
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SOCI 1101H
Honors: Intro to Sociology
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SOCI 3442
Identity and Social Change
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SOCI 1160
Social Problems Analysis
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SOSC 3003
Qualitative Analysis
Teaching Interests
Gender, Research Methods, Qualitative Methods, Social Psychology, Identity and Social Change, and Introductory Courses.
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- CONVERGE Symposium Participants Reveal Motivators and Mechanisms for International Rural Health Collaboration in A Qualitative Study, 2024
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Preparing for medical school: How sociology helps pre-medical students prepare for the MCAT and beyond, 2023
Journal Article, Professional Journal
- Gender Gap: A Qualitative Study of Women and Leadership Acquisition in Anesthesiology, 2023
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Effects of officer perception of race and racial tensions on support for body-worn-cameras, 2020
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- "GOD HATES YOUR FEELINGS”: Neutralizing Emotional Deviance within the Westboro Baptist Church”", 2017
Journal Article, Academic Journal
Research Interests
Dr. Melissa Powell-Williams is a Professor in the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. Powell-Williams' primary interest includes identity work in the areas of social movements, subcultures, and organizations. She has published in the areas of domestic violence victim advocacy, the Deaf Culture Movement, and support for marriage equality. Current research projects include police perceptions of body worn cameras, race relations, and the media.
Department Service
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Department of Social Sciences Honors Ceremony2022 - Present
Role:Committee Chair
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Promotion and Tenure Committee2022 - Present
Role:Other
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Sociology Curriculum Committee2013 - Present
Role:Committee Chair
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Sociology Curriculum Committee2010 - Present
Role:Committee Chair
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Social Work Director Search Committee2018 - 2019
Role:Committee Chair
College Service
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Pamplin Faculty Research and Development2024 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Social Work Faculty Search Committee2024 - 2024
Role:Committee Chair
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Pamplin Faculty Development and Research- 2017
Role:Other
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Pamplin Faculty2015 - 2017
Role:Committee Chair
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Faculty Council2013 - 2017
Role:Committee Member
University Service
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QRL Building Blocks Series--Let's Talk Analysis2024 - Present
Role:Workshop Organizer
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Qualitative Research Lab (Core)2022 - Present
Role:Program Coordinator
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Faculty Rights and Responsibilities--Core Team2021 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Women's and Gender Studies Committee2008 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Faculty Rights and Responsibilities2019 - 2022
Role:Committee Member
Professional Service
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Deviant Behavior2017 - Present
Role:Editor, Associate Editor
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Alpha Kappa Delta Honors Society2010 - Present
Role:Other
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Mid-South Sociological Association2014 - 2016
Role:Committee Chair
Public Service
