Selena Rodgers

Dr. Selena T. Rodgers is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work at CUNY York College, and the Founding Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program—the first fully accredited graduate social work program in Queens County, NY. She holds appointments as an Affiliate Professor in the PhD Social Welfare Program at the CUNY Graduate Center and serves as a certified Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation Site Visitor. Her expertise spans Black women’s historical trauma, Afrocentricity, posttraumatic growth, and leadership in higher education. Rodgers earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Adelphi University and an MSW from Syracuse University.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Social Work, Adelphi University (2009)
• MSW, Syracuse University (1995)
• B.S. in Social Work, Marymount College (1993)

Research Interests: Dr. Rodgers focuses on addressing systemic inequities through Afrocentric and womanist frameworks, with a particular emphasis on Black women’s resilience and leadership in academia. Her work explores historical trauma, posttraumatic growth, and global social work administration. She advocates for culturally competent policies and practices to uplift marginalized communities.

Recent Contributions: Her 2025 article on Black women’s wealth accumulation highlights intersectional barriers in economic equity. Recent work includes co-editing a chapter on Black women leaders (forthcoming 2025) and presenting at national conferences on anti-racist pedagogy and trauma-informed education. Her research bridges theory and practice, emphasizing community-driven solutions.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2025 Key to Percy E. Sutton SEEK Success Award
• 2023 Service Award from the International Black Women’s Congress
• 2015 JWT Differenter Community Leadership Award

Grants & Leadership: Rodgers has spearheaded initiatives like the York College MSW Program’s accreditation and the Star Track Anti-Violence Program. She mentors students through the ICORP and SEEK programs, fostering academic excellence and professional growth. Her leadership spans roles in curriculum development, institutional assessment, and community partnerships.

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects such as the Global Social Work Agenda in East Africa and the Rochdale Village NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) initiatives. Her work integrates academic research with community service to address health disparities and aging-in-place challenges.