Janice Williams Kicklighter, MA
(She/her)

I worked in the Human Services field for more than 33 years.  I have taught online, live-online, and face-to-face for students seeking degrees in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Human Services, and in the medical field.

I have worked as  a Social Services Director for a skilled nursing facility; as an Adoptions Supervisor, all levels of the Child Welfare system under the Department of Children & Families and Directions for Mental Health, as a Social Worker at the Pinellas County Jail, and as a Health Care Coordinator with Humana.

 As a Social Worker at the Pinellas County Jail;  I worked one on one with the juvenile and adult males in maximum security. I conducted groups for both populations, the adults and the juveniles.  I had the awesome opportunity of working with the juveniles, many had not been in school for years, whereas the majority of them were D and F students.  I worked very closely and in partnership with the teachers from the Pinellas County School Board, that taught at the jail.  I attended all of their IEP meetings and I was able to instill in them the value of education in spite of their circumstances.  As a result I watched as these young men, developed a love for learning and became honor roll and Dean's List students.  I watched as they chose to read over watching a video or playing a game; it was simply amazing. They began to motivate and encourage their peers and they no longer saw education as a waste of time.  I continue to receive positive feedback, that most of these young men are remaining on the right track. I recently came into a contact with one of the men that I worked with and learned that he is currently a student doing very well in every aspect of his life. I am forever grateful for this experience.  

During the Fall 2023 term, I had the awesome opportunity of working with our new Law Enforcement Cohort, This was such a very rewarding experience.

Last summer I participated in The Keene Summer Program, where I got to spend a full week with first time college students. This was an amazing experience and I look forward to having some of those students in my classes. I also worked with SPC's Summer Research Project, where I mentored an awesome student, that completed a great research project.

I participated in creating an action plan for closing the achievement gap for Africian American  male students here at SPC. I have worked as a mentor for the MOCS (Mother's of College Students) program; some of the partcipants had been labled as At-Risk. Our goals are to encourage, motivate and provide the necessary tools in order to ensure the success of these students. The program has been very successful.  I have also volunteered as a Foster Grandparent in the Pinellas County Schools.

I am the Advisor for the Psychology Club on both the Downtown and Midtown campuses.

I hold Master's Degrees in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University, and in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with cognates in Sociology and Criminology from the University of South Florida.  I consider myself to be a life long learner and plan to continue my education.

On a more personal note I was born and raised in St. Petersburg and was born at the old Mercy Hospital, which used to sit adjacent to the Mid town-Jamerson Center. I am so excited about being on staff at the Midtown-Jamerson Center, the Downtown, and St. Pete-Gibbs campuses.  I feel like I have come full circle; returning to where it all began for me.  I am the oldest of six children.  I'm the mother of two adult children, and the proud grandmother of four. 

I find peace and relaxation by spending time on a family farm, horse back riding, sitting by a serene pond, and watching an open sky, where the stars and fireflies can be clearly seen.  I enjoy sunrises and sunsets, coloring, painting, gardening, traveling, and seeing and learning about new places. 

I am looking forward to continuing to serve this community through education for many years to come.