When Dr. Eunjeong Ko joined the School of Social faculty in 2008, she brought her passion, dedication, and a thirst for knowledge to our program. The moment you meet Dr. Ko, her devotion to the field becomes extremely apparent and her passion is contagious. Dr. Ko was born and raised in South Korea and feels a sense of home here in San Diego. The cultural diversity, palm trees, and beaches are just a few of the things that makes San Diego feel a little more like her hometown. Dr. Ko received her MSW from Hunter College, City University of New York and went on to work as medical social worker and psychotherapist there. Dr. Ko then earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, she joined our faculty.
Dr. Ko is a Gerontologist and her primary research focus is end-of-life care among racial/ethnic minority older adults. Currently, Dr. Ko is working on conducting a needs assessment for hospice care in Imperial Valley. One of her favorite parts of the research process is collecting primary data. The data collection stage allows Dr. Ko to reflect the voices and concerns of the people she interviews. It brings about a sense of responsibility to accurately report what people disclose in the interviews.
This semester Dr. Ko is teaching two sections of SW631, Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups. Dr. Ko enjoys watching students grow every semester. She knows students are not just growing in their education but emotionally and intellectually as well. Dr. Ko also believes that, “My students are my teachers,” and it is an equal partnership in the classroom. Students must remember the important aspects of their own life and practice self-care by recharging their energy. Thank you, Dr. Ko, for all of your contributions to the School of Social Work and the numerous students you have already impacted!
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Written by: Megan Clauson, MSW student
