Dr. Kareema J. Gray ‘94 (Biology) PhD, MSW
Associate Professor of Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work Program Director & Department Chair
The Department of Social Work – College of Business & Professional Studies
Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC

Dr. Kareema Gray (Ph.D., MSW) graduated from Lafayette College in 1994 with a major in biology. She received her masters and doctorate degree in social work from the University of Georgia. Dr. Gray is currently an Associate Professor of Social Work and the Program Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program and Department Chair at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), an HBCU in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Dr. Gray will provide overall mentoring for the McCutchen Research Scholar during the summer while the scholar assists two JCSU faculty on their research projects.

The first project will be with Dr. Antonia Mead, Professor of Health Education and Chair of the Health and Human Performance Department. Dr. Mead’s research focuses on maternal health and she is especially interested in developing a preconception peer health program. Details about Dr. Mead’s research can be found here:

https://www.jcsu.edu/news/jcsus-lactation-and-doula-program-receives-nearly-1-million-county-grant

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/education/jjohnson-c-smith-university-black-maternal-health/275-772e1d31-f126-424a-8965-e96d3f328213

The second project on which the Scholar will assist is with Dr. Hariette Richard, Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Richard is studying the impact of mastectomy and breast cancer on body Image. Details about Dr. Richard’s research can be found here:

https://www.jcsu.edu/news/breast-cancer-study-take-depth-look-mastectomy-experiences-older-black-women

For both projects, the McCutchen Research Scholar will help coordinate participant visits for interviews and help collect data. To be involved in these projects, the Scholar will need to have CITI certification to conduct research with human participants. The Scholar will hone qualitative and quantitative research design skills during this work and learn more about applied health programs. In addition, the Scholar will conduct library research and write summaries of journal articles that will be used in writing grants. Use of spreadsheets and the understanding of research databases will be needed.