Dr. Starks is a Professor Emeritus of Social Work and the former MSW Program Director at Western Kentucky University. She has over 45 years of professional social work experience, including teaching, research, consultation, training, supervision, and clinical practice. She has produced numerous presentations and publications in the areas of diversity, women, spirituality, mental health, supervision, cultural competency, and leadership training. Her latest book is Mentoring Women for Leadership: Empowering the Next Generation, which was published in 2021. Dr. Starks also maintains a part-time psychotherapy practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky (Bower, Starks, Reeves & Hayes).
In addition, she serves on several local, national, and international community service committees and boards. Indicative of her extensive commitment to the global community, Dr. Starks was the past president of the Bowling Green International Center Board for refugee resettlement. Likewise, she has extensive experience in teaching study abroad courses in Taiwan, Tanzania, Ghana, and Belize. An important scholarship passion for Dr. Starks was her research project called Project Rafiki in Tanzania, East Africa. This was an interdisciplinary food assistance program for a center that provided services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Among her many years of extraordinary contributions to the profession is her past service as the chair of the board for the National Council on Social Work Education.
Dr. Starks received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Western Kentucky University in 1971 and both her master’s degree in social work and her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Louisville. She currently serves on the Alumni Engagement and Belonging Council of the WKU Alumni Board. Among her many awards and recognitions are: In 2019, she was recognized by the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission as one of the Women of Achievement for that year. In 2021, she was recognized for her 38 years of service, mentorship, and trailblazing in the field of social work by the National Association of Black Social Workers, and in 2022, she was selected as the Feminist Scholar for the year by the Council on Social Work Education.
Dr. Starks resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with her husband of 56 years, Rick Starks. They have two adult children, Derrick Starks (Kimberly) and Shannon Fedderman (William), and three granddaughters. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an active member of Taylor Chapel AME Church, where she also serves on the Lay Organization and Scholarship Committee. Saundra’s passions are mentoring young women, community service, reading, dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.