Rate My Professor Emmerentie Oliphant

Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant is a Professor of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), serving as Director of the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program since 2022 and Buddy Zeagler Endowed Professor for Community-Based Research since 2018. She co-directs the Center for Rural Social Work Research and Development since 2014 and chairs the SFA Institutional Review Board since 2019. Previously at SFASU, she was Interim Chair and DSW Planning Coordinator of the School of Social Work (2020-2022), MSW Director and Professor (2010-2021), and Coordinator of the International Certificate in Community Development (2008-2010). Before joining SFASU, Oliphant held faculty positions at the University of Johannesburg (formerly Rand Afrikaans University), South Africa, including Coordinator of MSW (Clinical Social Work) and BSW Programs (2000-2006) and Assistant Professor and Coordinator of International Issues (1994-2000). She served as Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (2000-2001) and Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work (1995-1996, 2000). Her professional practice includes social work roles in child protective services, family counseling, correctional services, and community development in South Africa (1989-1993, 1994-2000), and ongoing private consultation through Afri.yze (South Africa) and A.YZE, LLC (Texas) since 2000, emphasizing program design, development, evaluation, agency support, and leadership training.

Oliphant earned a B.A. in Social Work (1987) and M.A. in Social Work (1990) from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a D. Litt. et Phil. in Social Work (1993) from Rand Afrikaans University, along with a Diploma in Assessment and Intervention of Youth Sex Offenders from the University of Louisville (2000). Her research interests include HIV/AIDS, international social work, cultural diversity, qualitative research, program evaluation, family counseling, and mental health. Key publications comprise book chapters such as “Listening to the Voice of the Community” “Escuchando la Voz de la Comunidad” (2024, with Wyatt and Avant) and “Understanding and Utilizing Our Collective Assets” (2023, with Belanger et al.); and peer-reviewed articles including “Sustainability as Livability: Two Community Case Studies in East Texas” (2019), “Community-Based Juvenile Offender Programs in South Africa: Lessons Learned” (2012, with Roestenburg), and “Indigenizing Family Therapy for South African Use: Challenges and Changes” (2007, with Kasiram). Awards include the SFA Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Research (2016), SAGE Research Award for co-designing Intelliplanner (2022), and Distinguished Grant and Research Awards (2016-2017). As Executive Editor of the Journal of Social Work and Social Welfare Policy and supervisor of over 40 student researchers at SFA/CLAA Graduate Research Conferences (2013-2023), she advances rural and community-based social work practices.