Michelle Keller

Dr. Michelle Keller is currently a full-time faculty member, serving as a Clinical Instructor in the College of Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Bachelor’s, Master,s and Doctorate in Social Work, all from the University of Kentucky. She has been with UK CoSW for approximately two years, and is currently serving as the Director for the School Social Work Certification. She has over 26 years of experience in social work practice, spanning various areas, including Child Protective Services, clinical practice, and school social work settings. She has more than 18 years in leadership and administrative roles. Her clinical roles have included consultation and direct practice in the public school system of Jefferson County, as well as private practice, and she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker within the state of Kentucky. Her writing and research interests intersect with her practice experiences, particularly with vulnerable populations such as refugees, differently abled and neurodivergent groups, and foster youth. Her extensive experience in Child Protection provides perspective in her writing and advocacy for children in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC), and her teaching philosophy honors and values the lived experiences of others in her classroom.