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Dr. Waithaka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work. His research focuses on intergenerational social and economic mobility during young adults’ transitions to adulthood, with a particular focus on the role of family capital (resources & processes) and public policies influence on young adults’ life outcomes. His research on young adults, both in the United States and in East Africa, focuses on educational attainment, economic engagement and asset development. He has taught a variety of courses including research methods, macro practice, poverty and inequality, human behavior and the social environment, and social work for social justice. He has practice experience in various capacities including non-profit consulting, survey research, program evaluation and being a community support worker for individuals living with disabilities. Dr. Waithaka is a graduate of Daystar University Kenya (BA), Washington University in St. Louis (MSW) and the University of Washington Seattle (PhD, MPA).

Research

Research Interests

• Young adults’ education attainment, economic independence and asset development
• Family capital and intergenerational transmission of advantage/disadvantage
• Poverty and inequalities
• Social institutions, and institutional change
• African immigrant health
• Social work practice in developing nations

Publications

• Lee, J., & Waithaka, E.N. (2017). The intersections of marginalized social identities in the transition to adulthood: A demographic profile. Journal of Emerging Adulthood, 5(3), 151-163.

• Waithaka, E.N. (2014). Family capital: Conceptual model to unpack the intergenerational transfer of advantage in transition to adulthood. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 24(3), 471-484.

• Romich, J.L., Gordon, S., & Waithaka, E.N. (2009). A tool for getting by or getting ahead? Consumers’ views on prepaid cards. Networks Financial Institute Working Paper 2009-WP-09. Available at SSRN: .

Honors and Awards

• Student Award for Leadership and Service, 2011, Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE)

• Trainee – Shanahan Endowed Fellowship, 2009-2011, Center for the Studies of Demography and Ecology (CSDE), University of Washington

• Boeing Endowed Fellowship, 2007-2008, School of Social Work, University of Washington

• Graham Taylor Second Year Scholarship, 2004–2005, Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis.

• Work-study Scholarship, 1997–2000, Daystar University, Kenya

Affiliations

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Degrees

• PhD, University of Washington Seattle
• MPA, Social Policy: Poverty, Education and Social Welfare, University of Washington Seattle
• MSW, Social Economic Development, Washington University in St. Louis
• BA, Community Development, Daystar University, Kenya