Catherine Mobley, professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice and Class of ’39 Award for Excellence recipient, received the William Foote Whyte Award from the Sociological Practice and Public Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association for advancing sociological practice through excellence in applied sociological work.
Throughout her career, Mobley, who currently serves as a research professor in the Department, has maintained a commitment to applied and community-engaged research, interdisciplinary collaborations and mentorship through applied pathways. She has worked across disciplines – in public health, food insecurity, environmental sustainability and workforce development – and her work has spanned federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, international research settings and statewide partnerships.
A hallmark of Mobley’s career has been helping students explore sociology as a profession and a pathway to meaningful careers. Through internships, community-based research and applied learning experiences, she has mentored hundreds of students as they connected sociological knowledge and methods to work in the public, nonprofit and private sectors.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Clemson University and before joining the Clemson faculty in 1996, Mobley applied sociological perspectives to her work as a consultant for state and federal organizations, conducting evaluations, designing surveys, analyzing programs, and contributing to community initiatives. She said those early experiences deeply shaped her professional identity as a sociologist.
“Receiving the William Foote Whyte Award is especially meaningful to me because the application of sociology in the real world has been at the heart of my work throughout my career. Long before I entered academia, I saw firsthand how sociological perspectives could inform decision-making and strengthen communities through improved programs and initiatives. Those experiences shaped who I am as a sociologist and have guided my teaching, research and service throughout my career. It is truly an honor to be recognized for work that reflects such an important part of my professional identity.”
Mobley’s most recent role has been serving as principal investigator for a National Science Foundation project to develop a framework for understanding and assessing the identity development, retention and success of STEM social and behavioral scientists (STEM-SBS). The study examines the professional identity development of sociology students and practicing sociologists, including how they navigate pathways into research careers, understand sociology as a science, and experience belonging and recognition in the discipline.
The project also explores the experiences of sociologists working in applied settings and the diverse career pathways available to sociology graduates.
Additionally, Mobley has published across a wide range of outlets – peer-reviewed journals, policy reports, government-funded evaluations and technical reports for national, state and local agencies – over the course of her career. Technical reports, in particular, have been a defining feature of her applied sociological practice. She has authored or co-authored numerous reports used for program development, community planning, policy decision making and organizational improvement, including large scale needs assessments, quality of life studies and community impact evaluations.
“Dr. Mobley’s recognition from the American Sociological Association is a tremendous honor and a testament to her notable contributions as a sociologist. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated how sociology moves beyond research and the classroom to address real-world challenges and improve the lives of individuals and communities,” said Leslie Hossfeld, dean of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS). “Her commitment to putting sociological knowledge into practice exemplifies the kind of engaged scholarship we value in the CBSHS, and I am incredibly proud to see her contributions recognized nationally by her peers.”
The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.
