Dr. Haynes has scholarly interest in:
College Access and Workforce Development | Deliberate and Reciprocal Institutional Community Engagement | Student Success | Youth Disconnection | Youth Development
Dr. Haynes’ research is grounded in an interdisciplinary framework that integrates public policy, social work, community engagement, and educational theories. His work focuses on advancing educational and workforce equity in urban and Appalachian communities through deliberate and reciprocal community engagement.
Dr. Haynes brings demonstrated expertise in evaluating complex social programs and initiatives, using trauma-informed and culturally responsive research, aimed at understanding the experiences of youth and the challenges they face. He has supported a portfolio of research and evaluation work focused on investigating the interconnectedness of systems that shape the experiences and lives of youth and young people, with a keen focus on those who are living in urban and rural communities and disconnected from key societal institutions such as the education and workforce system.
Ultimately, Dr. Haynes seeks to drive systemic reforms that inform both policy and practice, creating environments where all young people can thrive.
Research
Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Elevating the Voices of Young People (2024)
This funded research study examined the lived experiences of young people, aged 14-26, in Connecticut who were not connected to the workforce or education systems to explore the reasons behind their disconnection and interactions with other systems such as criminal justice, child welfare, housing, and healthcare.Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Elevating the Voices of Young People - Preliminary Brief (2024)
This preliminary brief summarized results and findings from 74 interviews conducted with youth (aged 14-26) who are disconnected from the education and workforce systems regarding their lived experiences, needs, desires, and life goals.The Miseducation of Our Youth: A Qualitative Study Ascertaining the Lived Experiences of Urban and Appalachian Students (2020-2021)
Using a qualitative research multiple case study approach, this research project examined the academic and social experiences of urban and Appalachian college graduates from Ohio’s Urban Eight and Appalachian regions.
Publications
Savage, S. S., Johnson, R. M., Kenney, A. J., & Haynes, D. D. (2021). Perspectives on Conducting Humanizing and Liberatory Educational Research with Systemically Marginalized Youth. Healthcare, 9, 1317. | PDF
Haynes, D. D., Michaels, A., & Fox, J. (2021). OSU Extension in Urban Communities: A Case Study. The Journal of Extension, 59(3), Article 17. | PDF
Fletcher Jr, E. C., & Haynes, D. D. (2020). Traditional Students as Second Class Citizens through Modern Day Tracking. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR), 1-20. | PDF
DISSERTATION
Presentations & Posters
Haynes, D.D., Gilbert, B., Gilmore, D., Cowans, D. (2025). Youth Disconnection an Unspoken Crisis: Elevating the Voices of Young People. Poster presentation at the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). Seattle, WA.
Gilbert, B., Haynes, D.D., Rennekamp, R., & Childs, J. (2024). Bringing Youth Voices to the Forefront: Using Research to Inform Responsive Practice and Policies. Panel presentation. Bethesda, MD.
Gilbert, B., Haynes, D.D., Gilmore, D., and Cowans, D. (2023). Designing Research with Intention: Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed, and Humanizing Strategies to Engage Youth. Webinar. Bethesda, MD.
Haynes, D.D. (2023). In Pursuit of Consequential Truths: BlackCrit Interrogations of Postsecondary Education and the Black Student Experience – An Investigative of Black Urban and Appalachian Students’ Academic and Social Integration Into Higher Education. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting. Chicago, IL.
Haynes, D.D., & Lynch, R. (2023). They Succeeded, but How? An Examination of Appalachian Students Adjustment to Higher Education Academics. Presented at the Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) Conference. Athens, OH.
Fox, J., Debose, N., Haynes, D.D., Barrett, E., & Wilkins, J. (2022). Reimagining the Future of Urban Extension in Ohio. Panel presentation presented at the National Urban Extension Conference (NUEC). Camden, NJ.
Haynes, D.D. (2022). Humanizing and Liberatory: Imperatives for Equitable Postsecondary Education Systems in the 21st Century – An Investigative Inquiry into the Academic and Social Integration of Urban and Appalachian Students. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting. San Diego, CA.
Panel — PBS & NPR: American Portrait. (2021). Myth Busting the Rural/Urban Divide in Ohio.
Lynch, R., Magier, E., & Haynes, D. (2020). Let’s Talk About Race—Fathers’ Conversations with their Mixed Race Children. Presented at Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference. E-poster.
Haynes, D., & Michaels, A. (2020). OSU Extension in Ohio’s Most Populated Counties. Presented at Summit on Extension in Ohio’s Urban Communities. Columbus, Ohio.
Cunningham, P.; Haynes, D.; Calvin, R.; Morris, K. (2015). BuckeyeREACH: Working with Incarcerated Black Boys. Presented at the University of Illinois Black & Latino Male Summit. Champaign, Illinois.
Evaluation & Analysis
Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley Food Access Assessment (2024-present)
This assessment evaluated the quality of food access and feasibility across the 23,000 square-mile Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska.Ohio Extension Urban Counties Case Study Research Guidebook (2021)
The size, diversity, and complexity of urban communities creates unique challenges for Land-Grant University Extension units. Focusing on developing an approach to addressing Ohio’s urban influence by strengthening cities and urban-rural connections, this guidebook supported Ohio State University Extension in its 2020-2025 planning.
Regional Campuses Collaborative Initiative (2021)
This report summarized results from focus groups and interviews conducted with staff at The Ohio State University regarding the relationship and resource sharing between Ohio State Columbus campus and its 5 regional campuses, centered around programs and services offered by the Office of Student Life.Ohio State University Extension Crowdsourcing Report: Community Development (2020)
The purpose of this program review was to guide program development among Ohio State University Extension’s Community Development (CD) units over the next several years.A Program Evaluation of the Mentor-A-Buckeye Program (2018)
Established metrics and evaluated the effectiveness and success of the Mentor-A Buckeye program after the matriculation of its first cohort.An Analysis of the Cleveland Plan (2017)
Evaluated the effectiveness and success rate of the Cleveland Plan, based on metrics outlined by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Ohio Department of Education.A Program Evaluation of a College Wraparound Support Service (2016)
Examined and evaluated the benefits of a collegiate wraparound support service for students in an urban Ohio school district.
Grant Funded Projects
A New Foundation: Advancing Adolescent Neglect Science through Measurement Development (2024-present) | National Institutes of Health
Matanuska-Susitna Valley Food Access Assessment (2024-present) | Mat-Su Health Foundation
Project Reconnect (2023-2024) | Dalio Education
A Hope Lights the Way Research Grant (2023) | City of Philadelphia
Motivational Interviewing Teaching Training Modules for National Diabetes Prevention Program (2022) | Center for Disease Control and Prevention via Temple University
Response and Resilience Fund Grant (2022) | Athens Foundation
MV Community Fund Grant (2021) | Miller Valentine Construction
Global Youth Service Day Grant (2019) | Serve Ohio
Global Youth Service Day Grant (2017) | Serve Ohio
*includes grant funded projects having served as PI, Co-PI, and/or co-investigator on and grant funded projects in which I have contributed to in other capacities.
Trainings Developed
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Online Motivational Interviewing Teaching Training Modules for National Diabetes Prevention Program
The Ohio State University | Adult-Youth Mentoring Training Modules for University-Community Engagement Partnerships
Guest Lectures &
Speaker Series
2024 - From Research to Practice: Uplifting People and Strengthening Communities through Data and Intentional Engagement. Lecture given during the Robert J. O’Leary SPARK Series. Columbus, Ohio.
2022 - Extension and Communication (COMM 2001), The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute
2021 - Introduction to Social Work in Contemporary Society (SOCWORK 1130), The Ohio State University
Courses Taught
Graduate Education
SSWG 5000: Political Social Work
SSWG 5005: Social Welfare Policies and Services I
SSWG 5006: Social Welfare Policies and Services II
SSWG 5104: Theory Informed Macro Practice II
SSWG 8107: Macro Practice in Organizational, Community, and Policy Arenas
SSWG 8113: Resource & Grant Development for Human Services
SSWG 8114: Supervision, Staff Management and Staff Development in Human Service Organizations
SSWG 8504: Integrative Seminar
Undergraduate Education
SSWU 2005: Introduction to the Social Work Profession I
SSWU 2006: Introduction to the Social Work Profession II
SSWU 3003: History and Values of Social Welfare
SSWU 3004: Social Welfare in the US
SSWU 4000: Political Social Work
K-12 Education
PATHWAYS - 9th and 10th Grade
Mediaworks
Difficult Conversations in the Classroom | Teaching Together @ Temple University | Temple University, Center for the Advancement of Teaching
A Hope That Lights The Way | Emmy® Award-winning Documentary | City of Philadelphia
Self-Care, Mental Health, and Geography | “Changing the Conversation” | C4 Innovations
Service &
Board Experience
Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation | Board Member - March 2023-June 2024
NASPA Faculty Council Awards Committee | Committee Member - December 2022-June 2024
City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee | Commission Member - May 2022-January 2024
The Ohio State University College of Social Work Alumni Society Board
Board Member - May 2018-May 2023
President - August 2020-September 2021
President-Elect - August 2019-August 2020
Student Representative - September 2016-May 2018
Undergraduate Student Government at The Ohio State University Alumni Society Board | First Vice President - February 2019-August 2021
“I ask the question how can institutions of higher education effectively, equitably, and efficiently support (and enable) urban and rural youth and communities to achieve their full potential?"