Kimberly Strom: Smith P. Theimann Jr. Distinguished Professor  

Smith P. Theimann Jr. Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Professional Practice Kimberly Strom, who joined the School in 1999, has mentored a generation of doctoral students, led presentations and workshops around the world and contributed to the School’s excellent standing nationally. Strom earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Maine before receiving her master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University and her doctorate in social work from Case Western Reserve University. Strom’s areas of teaching include direct and macro practice, education, and leadership. She has held various leadership positions at both the School and the University, including as the School’s interim dean, the director of the UNC Office of Ethics and Policy and the principal investigator of the School’s behavioral health care contract. 

Strom has written countless articles on ethics and practice and is the author of multiple books, including “Straight Talk about Professional Ethics” and “The Ethics of Practice with Minors.” An internationally recognized scholar, Strom represents North America on the International Federation of Social Work Ethics Commission and leads trainings on both ethical practice and ethical action. She recently served as a presenter at the 13th annual European Social Work Research Conference in Lithuania and taught a class at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.  

“It’s a privilege to have spanned decades at the School of Social Work, most especially for the opportunity to have worked with and remember the contributions of amazing people like Audreye Johnson, Gary Shaffer, Rachel Dedmon, and Linda Wilson,” Strom said. “They and others left us a strong foundation!” 

Bernice Adjabeng: Program Director, Peer Support Program  

Peer Support Program Director Bernice Adjabeng is no stranger to higher education. After earning both her MSW and Master of Arts in nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis, she earned a Doctor of Management degree from Webster University. While taking classes at Webster, Adjabeng began working at the School of Social Work in 2014 as an administrative support specialist.  

Adjabeng has helped the School in various roles during her tenure — she transitioned to a research project manager in 2016, became a program coordinator in 2018 and entered her current role as program director at Behavioral Health Springboard in 2022. In 2017, she also became an adjunct faculty member at the School, teaching courses in multiple areas including management and administration and social work practice. 

In her role as program director, Adjabeng supervises the credentialing, curricula and training of North Carolina peer support specialists. She also helps formulate policy for the statewide peer support specialist program and steers development for the data-driven systems that implement policies and procedures to help benefit countless individuals across North Carolina. 

“Serving as the program director for the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Program at the School of Social Work has been an incredible opportunity to leverage my training, knowledge, and skills in social work and management to help develop systems and improve many lives,” said Adjabeng. “It is gratifying to be part of a team that supports individuals in recovery as they help others overcome mental health and substance use challenges.”