Narketta Sparkman-Key

757-683-4525

2123 EDUCATION BUILDING
NORFOLK, 23529

Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key, holds the inaugural position of Academic Affairs Director of Faculty Diversity and Retention at žž . Dr. Sparkman-Key's goals for this role were to leverage existing resources, create new partnerships and develop programming focused on recruiting and retaining diverse faculty. Dr. Sparkman-Key instituted messaging, visions, goals and branding that promoted a more inclusive environment. She developed a certificate training program to provide diversity and inclusion related training opportunities to teaching and research faculty. She co-developed an academic leadership development program. In addition, she developed programs to attract diverse faculty titled, “Excite the Dream” and the “žž Initiative for Retention of Underrepresented Faculty”. She has developed numerous initiatives rooted in anti racist practices and focused on creating a more inclusive environment for all. She uses university data, COACHE data, policies, and practices to determine gaps and create programs focused on recruitment and retention. She co-founded the diversity center and diversity lab located within the college of education. Dr. Sparkman-Key utilizes virtual reality simulations to uncover unconscious and develop more culturally competent skills among teaching and research faculty. She formed the first diversity advisory committee for Academic Affairs bringing together local universities and organizations dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. She utilizes programs she coined such as, “Diverse Conversations”, “Virtual Watch Party”, “Mentoring Monday”, and “Virtual Cafe”, to have open discussion about some of the most difficult topics in order to promote inclusion. She brings in experts to share in the dialogue, recently interviewing Nicole Hannah-Jones on the 1619 Project. In addition, she has launched an initiative to support faculty in embracing culturally competent pedagogy practices. Dr. Sparkman-Key is a sought after speaker and has given national and international talks on diversity, cultural competence, equity and inclusion. She has even given a TEDx talk on Black Youth Suicide. She has trained television networks, corporations, boards, non-profit agencies, university faculty and staff on inclusion focused issues and given talks on that stemmed from her research efforts. Dr. Key offers a summer leadership coaching program every summer for women in higher education which focuses on career ownership and leadership development. Dr. Key’s recent OP-ED shed light on the current issues impacting professional women, as mothers and caregivers during COVID-19. Dr. Sparkman-Key has utilized her 10 years of experience in program evaluation, training and technical assistance to shape the culture and climate at žž and beyond.

Ph.D. in Human Service, Capella University, (2012)

M.A. in Liberal Arts, University of Michigan-Dearborn, (2004)

B.A. in Sociology, Madonna University, (2001)

Psychological Suicide Autopsy
Sponsoring Organization: American Association of Suicidology
Date Obtained: 2018-04-01
Graduate Certificate in Global Health
Sponsoring Organization: žž
Date Obtained: 2017-01-01
Graduate Certificate in College Teaching
Sponsoring Organization: Capella University
Date Obtained: 2009-01-01
Human Service Board Certified Practitioner
Sponsoring Organization: Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc.
Date Obtained: 2011-09-29

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Rehfuss, M. C., Sparkman, N., Carlisle, K., Tarver, S., Winfield, C., Simmons, J., Hartsfield, J. and Sawyer, J. "Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program" $1,616,000. Federal. August 2021 - June 2026
Rehfuss, M. C., Sparkman, N., Carlisle, K., Tarver, S., Winfield, C., Simmons, J. and Moe, J. "Opioid Workforce Expansion Program" $900,000. Federal. August 2019 - June 2022
Sparkman, N. and Ricks, S. "Educational Intervention in Support of Service Delivery to Diverse Youth Populations" $50,000. Private. -
Sparkman, N., Jovanovic, V., Cigularov, K., Anthony, B., Cigularova, D. and Grdn, N. "Entrepreneurship Based Peer Support Network for Improvement of Transfer Student Retention in Engineering Technology" $598,530. Federal. -
Sparkman, N. "Service Learning Grant" $2,500. žž. January 2015 - March 2017
Moe, J., Sparkman, N., Kemer, G., Goodman-Scott, E., Sink, C., Tarver, S. and Berger, C. "Predicting mental health utilization in sexual and gender minority populations: Testing the Intersectional Ecology Model of LGBTQ Health" $374,068. Federal. -
Moe, J., Bertolet, C. L., Dahl, H. D. and Sparkman, N. "Training school counselors to provide open and affirming career counseling for LGBTQ students" $50,000. Private. -
Sparkman, N. "Research Grant" $500. Other. October 23, 2013 - October 23, 2014
Craigen, L. M., Sparkman, N. and Dustin, J. C. "Quality Enhancement Plan Improving Disciplinary Writing Action Project" $20,000. žž. September 2013 - May 2014
Sparkman, N., Moe, J., Eddins, E. A. and Hays, D. "Intimate Partner Violence Intervention: The needs of Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women" $544,982. Federal. -

Expertise

LGBTQ
Assessment, Service Delivery, Barriers to Service
Family Conflict
Minority Families
Parenting
Co-Parenting, Virginia Law, Conflict
Human Service Practitioner Identity
Case Management, Supervision, Gatekeeping, Social Services, Foster Care
Adolescents and Children
Suicide

Research Interests

Suicidology, DEI, Human Services Identity Development, Human Services Education, Advancement of Human Services Field and Human Services Practice with Marginalized Populations.

Articles

Snyder, N. and Sparkman, N. (2019). An exploratory investigation of a flipped classroom model in human service education.. Journal of Human Services: Training, Research and Practice.
Moe, J., Perera, D. and Sparkman, N. (2019). Exploring the relationship between practitioners’ consultation skills, competence to counsel lesbian, gay and bisexual clients, and attitudes towards transgender people. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services 12 (4) , pp. 1-19.
Sparkman, N., Vadja, A. and Borden, N. (2018). Human Services Identity Development: Exploration of Student Perceptions. Journal of Human Services 38 (1) , pp. 21-33.
Sparkman, N., Winfield, C. and Vajda, A. (2017). Emergence of the family oriented human services practitioner: A grounded theory inquiry. The Journal of International Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies 12 (3) , pp. 13-32.
Hoquee, K. F., Sparkman, N. and Kalkbrenner, M. T. (2017). Human service students’ and professionals’ knowledge and experiences of interprofessionalism: Implications for education. Journal of Human Services 37 , pp. 55-14.
Winfield, C., Sparkman, N. and Vajda, A. (2017). Interprofessional collaboration among helping professions: Experiences with holistic client care. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice 9 , pp. 66-73.
Neukrug, E., Sparkman, N. and Moe, J. (2017). The Holland Code of human service professionals: An examination of National Organization for Human Services member. Journal of Employment Counseling 54 , pp. 146-156.
Winfield, C., Sparkman, N. and Vajda, A. (2017). Professional Standards: Embracing Preventive Ethics in Human Services. Journal of Human Services 37 (1) , pp. 55-62.
Sparkman, N. and Reiter, A. (2016). Gaining understanding of human services professionals: A survey of NOHS membership. Journal of Human Services 36 , pp. 75-79.
Sparkman, N. and Neukrug, E. (2016). Inclusion of "Human Service Professional in the Standard Occupational Classification System. Journal of Human Services 36 (1) , pp. 69-72.
Sparkman, N., Brown, K. and Woodrow, K. (2015). Parenting Differences in Minority Families: A Study of Parenitng Dimensions in Hispanic and African American Families. The Journal of International Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies 9 , pp. 1-12.
Lott, T. and Sparkman, N. (2015). Rural Child Welfare Professionals Perceive Themselves Culturally Competent. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies 10 (2) , pp. 1-8.
Sparkman, N. and Morgan-Gardner, I. (2015). An exploratory study of parenting dimensions and family conflict among Head Start participants: An examination of Hispanic mothers. Journal of Human Service 35 , pp. 39-46.
Moe, J. and Sparkman, N. (2015). Assessing Service Providers at LGBTQ-Affirming Community Agencies on Their Perceptions of Training Needs and Barriers to Service. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services 27 (3) , pp. 350-370.
Moe, J., Finnerty, P., Sparkman, N. and Yates, C. (2015). Initial Assessment and Screening with LGBTQ Clients: A Critical Perspective. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling 9 (1) , pp. 36-56.
Sparkman, N. and Lott, T. (2014). African American family functioning: Relationship between parenting dimensions and family conflict. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social and Community Studies 9 , pp. 2-9.
Sparkman, N. and Neukrug, E. (2014). Perceptions of the HS-BCP Credential: A survey of human service professionals. Journal of Human Services 34 (1) , pp. 24-37.
Sparkman, N. and Lott, T. (2014). The Human Services Board Certified Practitioner: A review of the current state. Journal of Human Services 34 (1) , pp. 184-189.
Craigen, L. M. and Sparkman, N. (2014). The value and important of international service learning programs: A model for human services. Journal of Human Services 34 (1) , pp. 126-130.

Presentations

Craigen, L. M. and Sparkman, N. (October 24, 2014). Human Services Service Learning Study Abroad Programs Oral Presentation 2014 NOHS Conference Strategic Action: Going Beyond the Gamble of Chance Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sparkman, N. (October 23, 2014). Impact of Pop Culture on LGBTQ Populations Oral Presentation 2014 NOHS Conference Strategic Action: Going Beyond the Gamble of Chance Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sparkman, N. (October 23, 2014). Views of the HS-BCP Oral Presentation 2014 NOHS Confernece Strategic Action: Going Beyond the Gamble of Chance Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sparkman, N. and Lott, T. (June , 2014). African American Family Functioning:Examining the relationship between conflict and parenting Paper Interdisciplinary Social Science Conference Vancouver, Canada.
Lott, T. and Sparkman, N. (June , 2014). Do Rural Child Welfare Professionals Perceive Themselves Culturally Competent: Culture Competence Training Paper Interdisciplinary Social Science Conference Vancouver, Canada.
Rehfuss, M. C., Craigen, L. M., Dice, T., Dustin, J. C., Sparkman, N. and Levingston, K. (October 24, 2013). Expanding Student Options for Success through Online HMSV Training Oral Presentation 2013 Annual Conference: Sailing into Our Future Baltimore, Maryland.
Sparkman, N. (October 23, 2013). A Study of Parenting Dimensions and Family Conflict in Hispanic and African American Families: Implications for Social Research Poster 2013 National Conference: Sailing into Our Future Baltimore, Maryland.
Sparkman, N. (August 12, 2013). Global Perspectives in Diversity: An Examination of the Experiences and Treatment of LGBT Population Oral Presentation Diversity and Counseling Institute Ireland.
Sparkman, N. (April 4, 2013). It takes a Village: Understanding Parenting and Conflict in Minority Families Oral Presentation Becoming a Community Champion New Ritchie, FL.
  • 2021: Mary Helen Thomas Racial Justice Award, YWCA South Hampton Roads
  • 2020: International Outreach Award, Darden College of Education
  • 2020: International Leadership Recognition, University of West Indies
  • 2019: Women in Business Achievement, Inside Business News/ Virginian Pilot
  • 2019: Educator of the Year, SpeakerCon
  • 2019: Recognition Award, University Women’s Caucus
  • 2019: Woman of Distinction in Research and the Sciences, YWCA of South Hampton Roads
  • 2019: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leader in Education, Urban League of Hampton Roads
  • 2018: Darden College of Education Community Service Award, Darden College of Education
  • 2017: Shining Star Award, Student Engagement (SEES)
  • 2016: Shining Star Award, Student Engagement (SEES)
  • 2016: Inside Business Top 40 Under 40, Virginia Pilot Inside Business
  • 2016: Miriam Clubok Award, National Organization for Human Services
  • 2016: President Broderick Diversity and Inclusion Award, žž
  • 2016: žž Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor, žž
  • 2016: Shining Star Award, Student Engagement (SEES)
  • 2015: Lenora McNeal Award, National Organization for Human Services
  • 2015: Most Inspiring Faculty, žž
  • 2015: Most Inspiring Faculty, žž
  • 2015: Shining Star Award, Student Engagement (SEES)
  • 2014: Howard Harris Professional Development Award, National Organization for Human Services