Melissa Powell-Williams

Professor

Melissa Powell-Williams

Professor

Academic Appointment(s)

Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences

Administration
Department of Institute for Public and Preventive Health

  • (706) 737-1710
  • AH N221

Education

  • Ph.D., Sociology Southern Illinois University a, 2008

  • MA, Sociology Southern Illinois University a, 2005

  • BA, Sociology Southern Illinois University a, 2003

Awards & Honors

  • Richard S. Wallace Distinguished Service Award Augusta University, 2019

  • Caught in the Act of Representing Values of AU--Inclusivity Academic and Faculty Affairs, 2016

Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year

  • SOCI 4442

    Gender & Society
  • WGST 4442

    Gender & Society
  • SOCI 1101H

    Honors: Intro to Sociology
  • SOSC 3003

    Qualitative Analysis

Teaching Interests

Gender, Research Methods, Qualitative Methods, Social Psychology, Identity and Social Change, and Introductory Courses.

Scholarship

Selected Recent Publications

  • Preparing for medical school: How sociology helps pre-medical students prepare for the MCAT and beyond, 2023
    Journal Article, Professional Journal
  • Gender Gap: A Qualitative Study of Women and Leadership Acquisition in Anesthesiology, 2023
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Effects of officer perception of race and racial tensions on support for body-worn-cameras, 2020
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • ‘Is the juice worth the squeeze on this one?’ Examining officer and command staff support and unexpected consequences of body worn cameras, 2019
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • "GOD HATES YOUR FEELINGS”: Neutralizing Emotional Deviance within the Westboro Baptist Church”", 2017
    Journal Article, Academic Journal

Research Interests

Dr. Melissa Powell-Williams is a Professor in the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. Powell-Williams' primary interest includes identity work in the areas of social movements, subcultures, and organizations. She has published in the areas of domestic violence victim advocacy, the Deaf Culture Movement, and support for marriage equality. Current research projects include police perceptions of body worn cameras, race relations, and the media.

Department Service

  • Department of Social Sciences Honors Ceremony 2022 - Present

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Promotion and Tenure Committee 2022 - Present

    Role: Other
  • Sociology Curriculum Committee 2013 - Present

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Sociology Curriculum Committee 2010 - Present

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Social Work Director Search Committee 2018 - 2019

    Role: Committee Chair

College Service

  • Pamplin Faculty Development and Research - 2017

    Role: Other
  • Pamplin Faculty 2015 - 2017

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Faculty Council 2013 - 2017

    Role: Committee Member
  • Faculty Council 2012 - 2017

    Role: Committee Member
  • Faculty Rights and Responsibilities 2013 - 2015

    Role: Committee Member

University Service

  • Qualitative Research Lab (Core) 2022 - Present

    Role: Program Coordinator
  • Faculty Rights and Responsibilities--Core Team 2021 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Women's and Gender Studies Committee 2008 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Faculty Rights and Responsibilities 2019 - 2022

    Role: Committee Member
  • Center for Social Science Research 2022

    Role: Workshop Organizer

Professional Service

  • Deviant Behavior 2017 - Present

    Role: Editor, Associate Editor
  • Alpha Kappa Delta Honors Society 2010 - Present

    Role: Other
  • Mid-South Sociological Association 2014 - 2016

    Role: Committee Chair

Public Service

  • Office of Diversity and Inclusion 2017

    Role: Workshop Organizer