Keith Dempsey

Dr. Keith Dempsey earned a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Oregon State University (OSU) in 2009. He is the former Department Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University. He is the first African American to receive tenure at the Institution. He has conducted national presentations regarding counseling issues and the plight of Black men. He is the past President of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES).

Dr. Dempsey has 20+ years of professional experience in the helping field. He served as a multi-systemic therapist at Self Enhancement Inc. He was also a clinical social worker at the Casey Family Programs. He later went on to develop substantial programs at the African American Health Coalition (AAHC) designed to combat physical and mental health disparities. He currently operates a private practice in Portland and conducts individual, couple & family therapy.

Dr. Dempsey has provided substantial volunteerism with organizations such as The Salvation Army, MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility and The Prospective Gents Organization. As a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., he coordinated the Kappa League youth program. The program provided mentoring for young men from 3rd grade throughout High School. He currently partners with Northeast Fellowship Community Church, providing monthly discussions about the power of mental health in the Black community.

Dr. Dempsey’s accomplishments have not gone un-noticed. He received the Outstanding Service Award from the Oregon Youth Authority; Alpha Kappa Alpha Emerald Award for excellence in education; Portland Community College Social Justice Comrade Award; WACES outstanding leadership award; Martin Luther King Jr. lifetime achievement award; Most recently, Oregon State University Black Achievement Award.