Karen Doneker, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Doneker began her career working with first generation college students and individuals with disabilities. She has worked in direct service, administration, and advocacy for policies and services that promote inclusion and equal opportunity for individuals and their families experiencing disabilities. After completing her doctorate at the University of Delaware, Dr. Doneker began a research agenda that utilizes mixed methods in analyzing the impact of policies and services on families. She conducted a state-wide analysis of implementation of policies related to caregiving. She has also served as an expert consultant in Hong Kong to develop a national standard on the use of family impact analysis in policy development. Dr. Doneker served as a member of the qualitative research team analyzing the effectiveness of statewide approaches to school turn around in identified, low-performing schools in Maryland. Dr. Doneker is continuing her research through a current data collection on the experiences of the frail elderly and their definitions of family and home.

In addition to her research that focuses on aging, disability, and policy, Dr. Doneker is active in the Family Science Association. She has conducted several studies that address pedagogical approaches to teaching family science. Dr. Doneker serves on the advisory council for the Center for Disability Studies in Delaware and is an active member of the National Council on Family Relations.

Publications

Doneker, K. L. & Settles, B. H. (In-press). Long-term care services for adults with disabilities and their aging caregivers: A family impact analysis. Groves Monograph on Marriage and Family.

Doneker, K. L.., Willis Hepp, B., Berke, D, and Settles, B. H. (in press). Massive open online courses: Potential implications for human service, family scholarship, and family life education. Submitted to the Family Science Review.

Willis Hepp, B., Sturm, M.R., & Doneker, K. L. (2015). Using music to teach theories in an introductory family studies course. Family Science Review, 20(3), 3-20.

Strickling, L.R. & Doneker, K.L. (2014). Choreographing partnerships within an organizational structure of accountability: Maryland State Department of Education’s shift from compliance monitor to breakthrough partner. Metropolitan Universities, 25(2), 27-41.

Doneker, K.L. (2014). Custody and Guardianship. In L. Ganong, M. Coleman, & G. Golson (Eds.), The social history of the American family (pp. 23 – 25). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Quach, A.S., Todd, M.E., Willis Hepp, B. & Doneker Mancini, K.L. (2013). Conceptualizing sexual identity development: Implications for GLB Chinese international students. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 9(3), 254-272.

Eisenman, L & Mancini, K. (2010). College perspectives and issues. In M. Grigal & Hart, D. (Eds), Think college: Post-secondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities (pp. 161-188). Baltimore, MD: Brookes.

Settles, B., Zhao, J., Mancini, K., Rich, A., Pierre, S. & Oduor, A. (2009). Grandparents caring for grandchildren: Emerging roles and exchanges in the global perspective. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 40(4), 827-852.

Government Reports

Lau, Yuk King & Doneker, K.L. (2014). Doing Family Impact Assessment in Hong Kong: A Proposed Framework. Accepted and Implemented by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

Doneker, K.L. & North, C. (2014). Case Study: Augusta Fells Savage Institute for the Visual Arts. Report submitted to the Maryland Department of Education by the Center for Application and Innovation Research in Education (CAIRE).

North, C. & Doneker, K.L. (2014). Case Study: Drew-Freeman Middle School. Report submitted to the Maryland Department of Education by the Center for Application and Innovation Research in Education (CAIRE).

International Research Presentations

Settles, B. H. & Doneker, K. L. (2015, August). Eligibility, Responsibility, and Advocacy: The Tension between Recognizing the Individual and Relevant Family and Intimate Ties. Presentation at the Council on Family Research conference of the International Sociological Association, Dublin, Ireland.

Doneker, K.L. (2014, July). Perceptions and Experiences of the Frail Elderly: Definitions of Family, Home and Independence. Paper presented at the International Sociological Association World Congress of Sociology, Yokohama, Japan.

Doneker, K.L. (2013, May). Pro-family Policy Making: Assessing Impacts on Families in the Policy Making Process. Invited Plenary speaker at the Family Summit 2013: Preparation for the 20th anniversary of UN International Year of the Family. Organized by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Hong Kong, China.

Doneker, K.L. (2012, September). Perceptions of Stakeholders: How Family Definitions, Stability and Long-Term Support are Effected by Governmental and Agency Policies for the Elderly and Older Adults with Disabilities. Paper presented at the Committee on Family Research Conference for the International Sociological Association, Leuven, Belgium.

Doneker, K.L. (2012, June). New Approaches to Group Projects in Family Studies Courses: Online versus Face to Face Presentations and Assessment. Research presented at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Doneker, K.L. (2010, July). Understanding the Role of Family Support in the Lives of Emerging Adults with Disabilities: Implications for Higher Education. Paper presented at the International Sociological Association, Gutenburg, Sweden.

Research Presentations

Doneker, K. L. & Settles, B. H. (2015, June). Long-term care for adults with mental illness: Implications for Home and Community-based Services and Supporting Family Caregivers. Presentation at the Groves Conference on Marriage and Family, Buffalo, NY.

Settles, B. H. & Doneker, K. L. (2015, June). Evaluation: Exploring the Processes and Indicators of Students’ Use of Evaluation at Higher Levels. Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, St. Augustine, FL.

Willis Hepp, B., Doneker, K. L. & Settles, B. H. (2014, June). Integrating Family Policy across Family Studies Curricula. Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI.

Doneker, K. L. (2014, June). Integrating Family Policy across Family Studies Curricula. Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI.

Doneker, K. L. (2013, November). Sexual Identity Development among Chinese International Students: Implications for Individual and Family Well-Being. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations, San Antonio, TX.

Doneker, K. L. (2013, June). Massive Open Online Courses: Implications for FLE and Teaching Family Science. Theoretical paper presented at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Annapolis, MD.

Doneker, K. L. (2012, November). Concepts of Independence and Risk in Long-term Care of Aging Adults and Adults with Disabilities. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Phoenix, AZ.

Doneker, K.L. (2011, November). Undergraduate Trajectories: Family Science Seniors’ Perspectives on the Current Economy. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Orlando, FL.

Doneker, K. L. (2010, November). Equity and Fairness: Planning for Able and Disabled Adults and their Parents. Paper presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.

Doneker, K.L. (2010, June). From Powerpoints to Problem-based Learning, Where are we Now? Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Madison, IN.

Doneker, K.L. (2010, April). Access to Post Secondary Education. Presentation at the Delaware Transition Conference, Dover, DE.

Doneker, K.L. (2009, November). Becoming Embedded: Developing Social Capital in Young Adults. Poster Presented at the National Council on Family Relations, San Francisco, CA.

Doneker, K.L. (2009, June). Incorporating Universal Design into Creating and Implementing Distance Learning Courses. Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, St. Georges, UT.

Doneker, K.L. (2009, April). Access to Post Secondary Education. Presentation at the Delaware Transition Conference, Dover, DE.

Doneker, K.L. (2008, November). Navigating Private and Public Care Systems: Issues in Family Advocacy in Family Caregiving. Poster presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference, Little Rock, AR.

Doneker, K.L. (2008, October). After trauma, is there a place and an approach for re-planning and moving forward? Building Strong Families Conference, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Doneker, K.L. (2008, June). Cultural Competence and Service Learning: Creating Diverse Ties. Presentation at the Family Science Association Annual Conference, Savannah, GA.

Doneker, K.L. (2008, May). Rough Justice: The Search for Equity and Fairness in intergenerational Family Exchanges In a Global Perspective. Paper presented at the Committee on Family Research (RC06) of the International Sociological Association, Aging: Families and Households in Global Perspective, Lasell College, Newton, MA.

Doneker, K.L. (2007, October). Issues in Family Advocacy in Family Caregiving; Navigating Public and Private Systems. Building Strong Families Conference, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, PA.

Memberships and Affiliations

Member, Family Science Association

Member, National Council on Family Relations

Advisory Board member, Center for Disability Studies, University of Delaware

Courses Taught

• FMST 101 - Introduction to Family Studies

•  FMST 201 - Family Resources

•  FMST 301 - Family Relationships

•  FMST 302 - Family Theories

•  FMST 303 - Contemporary Trends in Family Policy

•  FMST 485 - Research Methods in Family Studies

•  FMST 490 - Methods in Family Life Education (Capstone)

•  FMST 495 - Advanced Research Methods in Family Science