Published May 19, 2015
Andre Lewis鈥攁 student in the online creative systemic studies Ph.D. program at the
University of Louisiana at Monroe鈥攈as added to his academic portfolio with recent
publications, and a presentation in Arkansas.
Lewis, an assistant professor and current director of social work at the University
of Arkansas at Monticello, presented at the 36th Annual Meeting and Conference of
the National Association of Social Workers Arkansas Chapter. The conference theme
was 鈥淚nspire, Innovate and Integrate,鈥� which celebrated the vital role of social workers
as leaders of change.
鈥淪ocial workers innovate and integrate knowledge, skills, and common values to inspire
others to identify strengths, overcome adversity, and fulfill potential,鈥� said Lewis.
Lewis鈥檚 presentation, titled 鈥淐hallenging Outdated Paradigms about African American
Fathers,鈥� was created by using research from his 四色AV dissertation to explain the need
for practitioners, scholars, and policy makers to abandon outdated paradigms about
fathering, and to consider applying a systemic approach to understanding and working
with African American fathers.
This presentation was a compliment to a recent book chapter written by Lewis, titled
鈥淒efining African American Fatherhood,鈥� which was featured in 鈥淭he African American
Father.鈥�
Lewis said his research topic allowed him to share knowledge that will help change
the way African American fathers are viewed.
Lewis contends that the training he received in 四色AV鈥檚 online program has helped him
apply systemic concepts and principles to his research on fatherhood, and he hopes
this conceptual application will lead to research that is framed in a more dynamic
manner.
Lewis also wrote two book reviews, including a review on 鈥淟ighter as We Go: Virtues,
Character, Strengths, and Aging,鈥� by Mindy Greenstein; and a review on 鈥淏aby Boomers
of Color: Implications for Social Work Policy and Practice,鈥� by Melvin Delgado.
Lewis continued his research with a co-authored article, titled 鈥淩eflections at a
Rural University: Increasing Critical Thinking Skills through Cross-Disciplinary Access
for Education, Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Social Work,鈥� which was published in
the peer reviewed National Teacher Education Journal.
In 鈥淩eflections,鈥� Lewis and his co-authors Marie Jenkins and Adam McKee consider the
effectiveness 鈥渙f a multidisciplinary approach to teaching critical thinking skills
in education, social work, criminal justice, and nursing.鈥�
The authors conclude that cross-disciplinary learning鈥攚hich involves teaching varied
academic sections to enhance a student鈥檚 range of knowledge鈥攈elps improve and increase
critical thinking skills.
Throughout the piece, the authors describe their successes with applying their research
within their classrooms at the University of Arkansas, Monticello.
Lewis holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Mississippi
and the University of Southern Mississippi. He plans to finish his research this summer,
and graduate during 四色AV鈥檚 fall Commencement ceremony in December.
