Darlene Xiomara Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Dr. Rodriguez is an assistant professor of social work and human services at Kennesaw State University. Her research and teaching interests are on civic engagement and political participation, especially as it relates to the utilization of nonprofit organizations as both service and advocacy partners for policy change. She has a keen interest in Latino and immigrant integration and how immigration status status facilitates or impedes social welfare, social services, and social justice for newcomers to the U.S.
Focus Areas
Immigrant Integration
Focus on immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations and their effectiveness in facilitating immigrant integration into the U.S. social and economic fabric.
Welcoming Communities
Researcher, writer and speaker on the Welcoming Movement--whose focus is on making communities more inclusive for everyone, including racially and ethnically diverse foreign-born residents.
Nonprofit Managment & Leadership
Mentor and teacher of individuals "to develop, deliver, and administer public, nonprofit, and private social services with the goal of improving the quality of community life."
Civic Engagement
Researcher, author, and speaker on the different concepts that nonprofit administrative staff and volunteers have of civic engagement and what that means for nonprofits' strategic direction, work, and funding.
Professor
Teacher and mentor to students in the Social Work and Human Services Program at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.
