Background

I joined the WSC faculty in 1996 as the first full time social work faculty member. I was brought to WSC to start the Social Work Program.  My background includes a   Ph. D. in Social Work from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, an M.S.W. from Fordham University, New York, NY, and a B.A. from Hope College Holland MI.  I previously taught at Bridgewater State College, Eastern Connecticut State University, and Rutgers University, Graduate School of Social Work. Beyond my teaching experience I worked in the field of Social Work in residential care of children for six years, and in community mental health for nine years. My current areas of interest include social work practice with individuals and families, critical thinking, gerontology. and HIV/AIDS. A list of my recent presentations and publications follow. If you have an interest in any of these publications or presentations please feel free to contact me.

How To Contact

via mail 
Robert C. Kersting 
Social Work Program
Westfield State College
577 Western Ave., PO Box 1630
Westfield, MA 01086-1630

via phone 
413-572-5536

via fax 
413-562-8147

via email 
rkersting@wsc.ma.edu

Publications:

Drumm, R., Suppes, M., and Kersting, R. (2002) Autonomy and resources in small baccalaureate social work programs.  Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work. 8(1), 51-67

Jenne, D.L. and Kersting, R.C. (2002). Working in a male-dominated world: Aggression and women correctional officers. In L.T. Alarid and P. Cromwell (Eds.), Correctional Perspectives: Views from Academics, Practitioners, and Prisoners (pp. 197-206). Los Angeles: Roxbury.

Kersting, R. (2001) Predictors of nursing home admission for older Black Americans. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(3), 33-50.

Kersting, R. (2001). Impact of social support, diversity, and poverty on nursing home utilization in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Social Work in Health Care. 33(2), 67-87.

Kersting, R. and Mumm, A. (2001). Are we teaching critical thinking in the classroom?  Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work. 7(1), 53-67

Suppes, M. Drumm, R., and Kersting, R. (1999)  Not afraid to toot our own horn. BPD Update. 21 (1), 5-8.

Crystal, S. and  Kersting, R. (1998).  Stress, social support, and distress in a statewide population of persons with AIDS in New Jersey. Social Work in Health Care 28: 41-60.

Jenne, D. and Kersting, R. (1998). Gender. power and reciprocity in the correctional setting. The Prison Journal, 78, 166-185.

Mumm, A. M. and Kersting, R. (1997) Teaching critical thinking in direct practice courses.  Journal of Social Work Education. 33. 75-84.  

Jenne, D. and Kersting, R. (1996)  Aggression and women correction officers in male prisons.  The Prison Journal. 76. 442-460.  

Kersting, R. (1994)  Predictors of nursing home utilization by the elderly in the context of the American health care system. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.  Doctoral Dissertation. 

Myers, D.G., Bruggink, J.B., Kersting, R.C., and  Slosser, B.A. (1980)  Does learning others’ opinions change one’s opinions?  The Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 6(2), 253-260.

Presentations

Kersting, R. (2006). Teaching Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice in Concurrent Research and Practice Courses. Presented at the 244th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference. Los Angeles, CA. October 25-30, 2006.

Kersting, R. (2004). Teaching Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice in BSW Programs. Presented at the 22th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference. November 3-7, 2004.

Kersting, R. (2002)  Teaching Critical Thinking and Evidence-Based Practice in Undergraduate Direct Practice Courses.  presented at the 20th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference.October 23-27, 2002

Kersting, R. and Suppes, M. (2002) Candidacy: Developing and Nurturing New BSW Programs presented at the 20th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference.October 23-27, 2002

Kersting, R. and Suppes, M. (2001) Candidacy and beyond: Developing and nurturing new BSW programs.  presented at the 19th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference. Denver, CO October 31-November 4, 2001.

Kersting, R. and Suppes, M. (2000) The journey to candidacy: Developing and using resources.  presented at the 18th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference. Destin, FL October 18-22, 2000

Kersting, R. and Mumm, A. (1999) Do students really learn to critically think in the classroom?  presented at the 17th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference, St. Louis, MO November 3-7, 1999.

Suppes, M. Drumm, R., Medlin, N. and Kersting, R. (1998) Small social work programs: Strengths and challenges revisited. presented at the 16th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference. Albuquerque, NM, October 7-11, 1998

Kersting, R. and Mumm, A. M. (1997). Teaching critical thinking in direct practice courses.  presented at the 15th Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Conference Philadelphia, PA, October 29-November 2, 1997.

Kersting, R.  (1997) Predictors of nursing home admission for older black Americans.  Presented at the 43rd Annual Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Chicago,  IL March 6-9, 1997

Kersting, R. (1996) The symbolic drawing of the family life space: A tool for family centered social work. Presented at NASW CT’s 11th annual conference April 19,1996

Kersting, R. (1995). The use of Cox proportional hazard models in predicting nursing home utilization. Presented at the 41st Annual Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2-5, 1995

Mumm, A. M. and Kersting, R. (1995) Teaching critical thinking in direct practice courses.  Presented at the 41st Annual Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. San Diego, CA, March 2-5, 1995

updated 10/5/07