Southwest Center hires new sociologist; extension staff added

Keydron Guinn

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center has appointed Keydron K. Guinn, sociologist at the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives located in St. Landry Parish.

“We are very excited about Dr. Guinn. He brings extensive, valuable experience to our Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives,” said Leodrey Williams, chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. “Guinn has a proven track record, and I look forward to more good things from him in this new capacity.”

Prior to joining the Center, Guinn was assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He completed doctoral work at Wayne State University with specializations in medical sociology and deviance. He has research interests in inequalities and race relations.

A native of Houston, Texas, and a graduate of Wayne State and Jackson State University, Quinn has extensive experience in research and grantsmanship. Guinn holds a master’s degree in sociology with concentrations in alcohol and drug studies and applied sociology from Jackson State University where he also received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He is currently working with colleagues on both quantitative and qualitative projects to assess podiatric health among African-American women, as well as African Americans and oral health. From 2001 to 2004, Guinn was the national health advocacy coordinator in the National Health Advocacy Division of the NAACP National Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. In this capacity, his primary duties included executing the national health agenda and conducting research related to health disparities. His research was used to produce pamphlets and other literature that are currently being disseminated around the country to educate minorities regarding disparities in health. He was also instrumental in securing grants totaling more than $250,000 for use during regional and national conventions for health-related activities. These activities included complimentary health screenings for all convention attendees and distribution of information on health disparity.

Guinn will be housed at the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives in Opelousas, where he will conduct research that seeks to bring forth economic and community development. Using this research and sociological knowledge base, he will be the driving force behind the development of projects towards the same goal. He can be contacted at 337-943-2410 or keydron_guinn@suagcenter.com.

The Southern University Ag Center has hired five new extension staff for different parishes in the state:

Angela Myles, assistant youth agent, St. Helena Parish. A native of Greensburg, she holds a B.S. degree in child development and an M.A. in administration and supervision from Southern University and was a Quad Area Head Start lead teacher and parenting teacher at Southern University AgCenter.

Patricia Lee, assistant area agent, family and consumer sciences. The Shreveport native holds a B.S. degree in food and nutrition from Southern University and was a special education teacher with the Bossier Parish School board.

Hendrix Broussard, assistant area agent, youth development, Orleans Parish. The Thibodaux native holds a B.S. degree in animal science from Southern University and was a receiving clerk at John Deere Company in Thibodaux.

Carol Sensley, assistant area agent, family and consumer sciences. The Lake Charles native holds a B.A. degree in physical education from the University of Louisville, Kentucky and is a former head coach for the women basket ball team at McNeese State University.

Odis Hill, assistant county agent is a native of Bastrop, holds a B.S. degree in agricultural economics from Southern University and was operating controller at International Paper Co. in Bastrop.