Dr. Kaycee bills - Social Work Education - Best Researcher Award
Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame - United States
Author Profile
🎓 Early academic pursuits
Dr. Kaycee l. bills began her educational journey with a strong foundation in social work, earning a bachelor of social work (bsw) from the university of saint francis, fort wayne. her capstone project demonstrated early sensitivity toward marginalized populations, as she worked on creating informed consent materials in different burmese dialects for immigrant communities. she went on to earn her master of social work (msw) at hawaii pacific university, where her thesis addressed the experiences of students using wheelchairs in rural environments, signaling her lasting commitment to disability justice. her academic pursuits culminated in a ph.d. in social work from the university of tennessee, knoxville. her dissertation focused on defeating bullying victimization through extracurricular involvement among youth with special needs—a theme deeply rooted in advocacy and inclusivity.
👩🏫 Professional endeavors
Dr. Bills has held multiple influential teaching positions, beginning as a graduate teaching assistant at the university of tennessee, followed by a faculty role at fayetteville state university, where she also served as assistant to the associate dean. she is currently an assistant professor of social work at saint mary’s college, notre dame. her courses span a broad curriculum, from introductory social work to specialized topics in mental health, policy, and research methods. she has also developed new academic content such as “social work practice with disabilities,” exemplifying her proactive and innovative approach. her professional journey, much like power electronics, channels a transformative energy into every classroom and academic platform she engages with.
📚 Contributions and research focus
Dr. Bills’ research bridges critical areas in social work, centering on marginalized identities, anti-bullying strategies, disability advocacy, and racism-based violence. her scholarly focus is both quantitative and qualitative, utilizing tools like spss and nvivo. at boston college, she is a research affiliate in the racism-based violence injury & prevention lab, where she contributes to Social Work Education meaningful empirical studies while mentoring graduate assistants. her prior roles at the university of tennessee and hawaii pacific university further underscore her robust experience in data analysis, community-based research, and manuscript preparation. her consistent research output acts as a power electronics converter—amplifying raw academic curiosity into actionable knowledge.
🌍 Impact and influence
Dr. Bills’ work has influenced students, academic peers, and vulnerable communities alike. her peer-reviewed collaborations, including student-authored papers, reflect a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars. her development of inclusive academic content and her presence in diversity-oriented teaching show her far-reaching impact in reshaping how Social Work Education Social Work Education future social workers understand culture, disability, and structural inequality. through her multidisciplinary lens, she bridges educational gaps and fosters equity, much like power electronics bridge the gap between source and application to deliver efficient, high-impact results.
🔍 Academic cites
Dr. Bills’ scholarship has earned attention in various academic and community settings through her presentations and peer-reviewed publications. while specific citation metrics were not provided, her work with the racism-based violence lab, contributions to conference literature, and consistent academic presence suggest a growing citation footprint. her collaborative projects—especially those integrating students—enhance the visibility and practical relevance of her research, aligning with emerging priorities in social justice and mental health scholarship.
🌱 Legacy and future contributions
Dr. Bills is poised to leave a meaningful legacy through her dual focus on teaching excellence and socially engaged research. her future plans likely include expanding on themes of disability rights, inclusive education, and structural change within mental health systems. by cultivating scholarly communities and contributing to underrepresented research domains, she is actively constructing a foundation upon which future social workers and educators can build. her work will undoubtedly continue to spark progress, much like power electronics spark advancement across dynamic and high-stakes systems.
Notable Publications
Title: A learning tool or hazard? Concerns related to AI misuse in social work courses
Author(s): Kaycee L. Bills
Journal: Social Work Education, 2025