Rachel Phelps

Rachel Phelps serves as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Fort Hays State University, where she teaches Grant Writing, Program Development & Evaluation, and Advanced Internship in Sociology. Her work bridges sociological theory with practical applications in educational and community mental health systems, emphasizing equity-centered solutions.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Simmons University (2024), Master of Social Work (2017), and Bachelor of Social Work (2016) from Park University. Prior academic experience spans teaching across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral social work programs.

Dr. Phelps' research focuses on:

• Designing trauma-informed, equity-rooted systems in K-12 education
• Interprofessional education through liberatory leadership frameworks
• School-based mental health program development and evaluation
• Grant writing strategies for sustainable community impact
• Culturally informed responses to grief and loss

She has secured multi-million-dollar grants to expand mental health access and serves as program evaluator for the Culturally Informed Responses to Grief and Loss (CIRGL) project. As founder of a nonprofit providing play-based trauma therapy, she integrates clinical social work with sociological practice while completing her Clinical Social Work Licensure and Registered Play Therapist certification.

Her teaching philosophy centers on rooted learning, courageous leadership, applied action, shared power, and human-centered approaches to developing "social architects of a more just world."