Diane Harnek Kegan, Ph.D.

Professor

Diane Kegan, Ph.D.

Contact Info

Phone:
410-704-3366
Office:
College of Liberal Arts
Room 2229
Email:
dkegan@towson.edu

Education

Ph.D., Social Work, University of Maryland

M.S.W., Social Work, Widener University

B.A., Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Areas of Expertise

Program evaluation

Social science research methods

Critical thinking in social science education

Biography

Dr. Kegan (formerly Dr. Hall) has been with the Department of Family Science since 2005, beginning as an adjunct professor teaching FMST 101 Introduction to Family Studies. Prior to joining Towson University, Dr. Kegan worked in the health psychology area. In this role, she examined stress management in post-menopausal women. In addition, she conducted program evaluation and monitoring of family and children’s programs in Harford County, MD. After finishing her dissertation on cultural competence in graduate social work students and receiving her doctoral degree, she began a Towson University tenure-track position in 2008.

Most of the courses Dr. Kegan teaches focus on research methodology and family policy. She incorporates her interest in pedagogy with her scholarship initiatives by examining critical thinking development in higher education. Dr. Kegan's further research interests include bias reduction, transition-age youth, violence in relationships, and LGBT families. In addition, she is the program coordinator at the Towson University Northeastern Maryland campus.

Selected Publications and Presentations:

Morris-Compton, D., & Harnek Kegan, D. M. (2025). College student service and social responsibility perspectives as predictors of social change behaviors. College Teaching, 1-9.

Ginter, A. C., Harnek Kegan, D. M., Martinelli Beasley, L. A., Ramirez Gomez, D., & Gourley, V. (2024). Applying family theories to the field of Child Life. Family Science Review, 28(2).

Harnek Kegan, D. M., & Oravecz, L. M. (2022). Critical pedagogy: Teaching cultural competence in Human Services education. In T. Ketko, H. Bor, & K. Arar (Ed.) 3D's - Diversity, Dignity & Democracy: Constructive Ideals for Present Day Education (pp. 168-180). Routledge.

Harnek Kegan, D. M., Vejar, C. M., Oravecz, L. M. (2025). Childfree Women’s Perspectives and Experiences of Bias. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations 2025 Annual Conference. Baltimore, MD.

Courses Taught

  • FMST 101 - Introduction to Family Studies
  • FMST 303 - Trends in Contemporary Family Policy
  • FMST 485 - Research Methods in Family Studies
  • FMST 490 - Family and Human Service Capstone: Methods in Family Life Education