Social work senior lecturer Kevin Edwards-Knight announces retirement
Kevin Edwards-Knight, a revered senior lecturer, will retire from UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work after 13 years of innovative teaching and dedicated mentorship.
Before joining UNC Charlotte, Edwards-Knight was a skilled community social worker. His career began in mental health care, crisis intervention, and community-based service organizations. Driven to serve overlooked populations, he supported teenagers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
His journey at Charlotte began as a non-traditional student in the Master of Social Work program. After earning his degree, he continued practicing as a community social worker and obtained his clinical social work licensure. In 2013, he returned to the School of Social Work as a part-time lecturer before transitioning into a full-time faculty role.
Known for his student-centered teaching style, Edwards-Knight instructed students how to navigate complex client interactions, conceptualize dynamic social work scenarios, and critically examine systems that impact the community. Most importantly, he created a learning environment where students were engaged, supported, and valued.
His transformative teaching techniques and devotion to student development earned recognition throughout his career, including the College of Health and Human Services Faculty Excellence Award in Undergraduate Teaching in 2021, the School of Social Work Professor of the Year in 2023, and a nomination for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award in 2024.
“He is an individual with an unparalleled commitment to student success,” said Diana Rowan, Ph.D., director of the School of Social Work. “He especially has a knack for reaching students who were previously disengaged or struggling.”
As a lecturer, Edwards-Knight prioritized learning students’ names, stories, goals, and challenges, recognizing that meaningful connections are just as important in the classroom as they are in clinical practice.
“As a transfer student coming into the social work program, Prof. Edwards-Knight made me feel included and excited about pursuing a career in social work,” said Sophia Pimento, social work undergraduate. “He loves practice scenarios in class, and is famous for his role playing and teaching style. He gets everyone involved in the material.”
Beyond the classroom, Edwards-Knight was an advocate for students across campus. He developed an LGBTQ+ elective course, served as faculty advisor for the Bachelor of Social Work Club, and became a trusted mentor to teaching assistants.
“Teaching is social work,” explained Edwards-Knight. “You care for the students and problem-solve with them. You listen to their stories, what they’re going through, and you figure out a plan for their success.”
At the center of his philosophy is compassion, a guiding principle that shaped all aspects of his career. “Even when I can’t make things better, I can listen and show that someone cares about you,” said Edwards-Knight. “While empathy is important, compassion can make a world of difference.”
Throughout his career, Edwards-Knight made that difference countless times over. While the School of Social Work community will miss him greatly, he leaves a lasting legacy through the students he mentored, the colleagues he inspired, the communities he served, and the future social workers he shaped.