Narketta Sparkman-Key, Ph.D.

Biography

Narketta Sparkman-Key, Ph.D., is the associate provost for Faculty Affairs and a tenured full professor of Education at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

As part of our commitment to provide excellent and supportive services to the faculty, Dr. Sparkman-Key is responsible for managing and overseeing the daily activities and critical outcomes of the Office of Faculty Affairs; leading and fostering a culture of equity, honesty, transparency and inclusion; collaborating with faculty governing structures to ensure consistency in implementing strategic goals of the Office of the Provost that are specifically related to faculty; and supporting professional development.

Dr. Sparkman-Key has a Ph.D. in Human Services with an emphasis on Social and Community Service (Capella University), a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Social Science (the University of Michigan) and a bachelor's degree in Sociology (Madonna University). She has served as an administrator and faculty member at James Madison University as the vice provost for Strategic Initiatives and Global Affairs; Academic Affairs director, with a focus on faculty recruitment and retention at Old Dominion University.

As a faculty scholar, Dr. Sparkman-Key earned tenure and promotion after arriving at Old Dominion University in Virginia as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor. She earned the rank of full professor at James Mason University (Virginia).

Selected Publications

Recent Publications

• Moe, J. Robins, L., Corley, P., Bumpas, C. Augustine, B.,Sparkman-Key, N. (2025). Hope, multiple minority stress and suicidal behavior in diverse LGBTQ populations: A longitudinal study. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 1-16. 
• Sparkman-Key, N., Moe, J., Belcher, T, Augustine, B. (2023). Human services student’s preparedness for assessing suicidality: Recommendations for human services education. Journal of Human Services, 42(2), 15-26. 
• Belcher, T, Sparkman-Key, N., Borden, N., Augustine, B. (2023). E-Portfolio: Advancing human services education through technology. The International Journal of E-Portfolio, 13(1), 69-82.ISSN 2157-622X *
• Moe, J., Sparkman-Key, Gantt, A., N., Augustine, B., Clarke, M. (2023). Hope and multiple minority stress as predictors of suicidal behavior. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling 17(1), 40-56. 

Recent Books

• Moe, J., Pope, A., Perera, D., Sparkman-Key, N. (ED) (October 2024). "LGBT affirmative counseling: An evidence-based guide for students and practitioner.", Cambridge University Press. [In Press]
• Johnson, K., Sparkman-Key, N., Meca, A., Tarver, S. (ED) (June 2022). "Developing Anti-Racist Practices within Helping Professions: Inclusive Theory, Pedagogy, and Application." Palgrave Macmillan. 

OP-ED

• Sparkman-Key, N. (2022, June). "What Black women need to succeed at the top: It’s time to create a culture that values leaders of color. Diverse leadership for a new era." The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• Sparkman-Key, N. (2021, October 6). "How to ‘Boss Up’ as a Black Woman in Academia," The Chronicle of Higher Education

TEDX: The Silver Dollar Approach to Preventing Black Adolescent Suicide (January 2019) 

Grants

• Rehfuss, M. (Principal), Sparkman-Key, N. (Co-Principal Investigator/Co-Director), Carlisle, K., McCoy, S., Winfield, C., Simmons, J., Hartsfield, J., & Sawyer, J. (2022-2026) Behavioral health workforce education and training program [100912-010], $1,616,000. 
• Rehfuss, M. (Principal) & Sparkman-Key, N. (Co-Principal Investigator/Co-Director), Carlisle, K., McCoy, S., Winfield, C., Simmons, J., Moe, J.  (2019-2022) Paraprofessional peer support opioid workforce expansion program [100819-10], HRSA $900,000.