Cohort: 2017-2018

Advisor: Dr. Amy Hillier

Kel Kroehle is a first-year doctoral student at SP2. Their research interests include the conceptualization and deployment of gender within social work; critical theory; posthumanism and social work research; and youth liberation movements. They are currently collaborating with their advisor, Amy Hillier, on a project exploring the educational experiences of transgender youth. Prior to joining Penn’s doctoral program, Kel spent seven years as Director of The Bryson Institute of Philadelphia’s Attic Youth Center. In this role, they worked with and on behalf of LGBTQ youth to facilitate trainings on gender and sexuality to develop cultures of respect and support for the LGBTQ community, ultimately reaching over 12,000 youth serving professionals. An Ohio native, Kel Kroehle earned their Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies and LGBTQ studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before earning their Master of Social Work degree at the University of Pennsylvania.