Taralyn Keese, MSW

Senior Lecturer

Office: Faculty Hall 133-A
Social Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences
TaralynKeese@clayton.edu
Phone: (678) 466-4818

Biography

I have served as a Lecturer of Sociology at Clayton State University since 2013. I hold an MSW from Georgia State University and I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Sociology there. In addition, as a professional social worker for over ten years, I have worked with and advocated for young women whose lives are impacted by familial, educational, economic, and political challenges I’m a mother and grandmother of three beautiful children. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Education

ABD, Sociology, Georgia State University, 2021

Other, Georgia State University, 2009

BA, Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2007

Intellectual Contributions

Tomeka Davis, Taralyn Keese, , Parental Expectations, Family Structure, and the Black Gender Gap in Educational and Occupational Attainment: An Intersectional Approach to the Social Psychological Model of Status Attainment.” 2015

Presentations

Taralyn Keese, Virginia A. Bonner, Jeanette Walley-Jean, “Sis” Gender Only: Navigating Exclusion/Inclusion in D&I, AAC&U 2020 Diversity, Equity and Student Success Conference, AAC&U – March 2020

Taralyn Keese, Abigail F Kolb, Democratizing Discussions about Race: Race Roundtables, The Whole Student: Intersectionality and Well-Being Conference, AAC&U, Bringing Theory to Practice Project – May 25 2016

Service to the University & University System of Georgia

College, College of Arts and Sciences Gene Hatfield Service of the Year Award Committee, Committee Member – 2019 to Present

College, CAS Strategi Planning Committee, Committee Member – September 2025 to Present

Service to the Profession

Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Contemporary Sociology 2019 to Present

Service to the Community

Board Member, House of Dawn, Inc. June 2021 to Present

Guest Speaker, The Clayton Center 2015 to 2016

Teaching Interest

My teaching interests include sociology, social work and human services course that prepare students for social services and other helping professions.

Research Interest

My research focuses on the ways in which intersections of race, class, and gender impact Black women’s health and wellness, interpersonal relationships, and social outcomes. Additionally, my research explores the ways in which culturally responsive pedagogy and praxis shapes student learning outcomes and exeriences.