Former Social Welfare associate professor of practice Dr. Renee White reflects on social work career

Everything is groovy if you ask Dr. Renee White. 

Dr. White’s extensive career in social work that spanned over four decades included difficult conversations with people in need, door-knocking in unsafe situations and teaching the next generation of social workers. 

Of course, Dr. White loved all of her jobs. She recently ended her career in December because she is now unable to work after developing Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. 

She was thrilled to reflect on her career. 

Dr. White, a former associate professor of practice at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, grew up in a family of nine and was always the mediator. She was also an empath at an early age. If someone at school didn’t have lunch, she’d share hers. If someone didn’t have a coat, she lent hers. 

“I think I was always destined to be a helper,” Dr. White said. 

Social work found Dr. White in 1981. She went to school to become a social worker at Pittsburg State, then her professional career landed her in Joplin, MO until 2018. 

Her first job was in child abuse and neglect investigations for the State of Missouri – this was back when social workers went door-knocking without law enforcement. She did that for seven years and said it was a groovy job. 

Dr. White’s career also led her to work as a professor in rehab centers, hospice, child therapy, a women’s substance abuse center, and at Missouri Southern State University. Dr. White also ran a free health and dental clinic as the executive director. 

“We took no federal funds or state money,” Dr. White said. “We raised all the money on our own and served the working, poor and homeless population. 

“That was a groovy job, too.”

But being a social worker wasn’t about the working hours. Dr. White believes being a social worker is about giving back to the community. 

She did a plethora of helping Joplin become a stronger community. She co-founded at least five non-profits that are still in service, she said. Most notable would be the Children’s Haven, which is coming up on 22 years of operating. 

Dr. White also became the chair of humanitarian efforts after a massive tornado struck Joplin in 2011. 

All of this is to say that Dr. White success as a social worker and professor comes from her lived experience. Dr. White meets people where they are and seeks to understand. 

“It’s about seeing a person as somebody's sister, somebody's daughter, somebody's mother, whatever it is, and understanding that the circumstances sometimes look really overwhelming,” Dr. White said. “But I can help others, and just be compassionate.”

Dr. White always saw KU as the premiere university near her, even if it was out of reach when she was looking at higher education. Teaching in the doctorate program meant Dr. White was able to teach at every level by the end of her career. 

In May of 2024, Dr. White was awarded the 2024 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was given her moment on stage at graduation. 

“I can't even put it into words,” Dr. White said. “It was such an honor, and it was from my colleagues, you know, just an honor that I will take away from KU.”

Now Dr. White focuses on her health and a book she’d like to write with the help of a ghostwriter. 

That should be groovy, too.