Sociology chair explores the city’s importance
Jeffrey Kentor, Ph.D., possesses a unique perspective of Detroit and brings his fresh outlook and passion for research to Wayne State’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where he has served as the chair of the Department of Sociology since the beginning of this year.
Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Chicago, Kentor was excited to rejoin an urban atmosphere after leaving his position at Eastern Michigan University, where he served as professor of sociology, associate provost and associate vice president for graduate studies and research. Prior to that, he was professor of sociology, chair of the Department of Sociology, and senior associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Social and Behavioral Science at the University of Utah.
“Detroit is a significant place right now,” Kentor says. “One of the areas I study is world urbanization, so to have a close look at Detroit in the world’s global economy is very interesting to me.”
Kentor uses Detroit to understand the world around him, saying, “The very real and rapidly changing urban landscape of Detroit provides a singular opportunity for our students and faculty to explore core concepts of our discipline from a unique vantage. I’m thrilled to now be a part of it.”
When Kentor is not researching and teaching, he loves being outdoors. Living in Dexter on nearly three acres of land, he enjoys capturing nature and wildlife through his photography and spending time outside with his wife. “We have all sorts of turkeys, foxes and other animals out there, so I like to go out and enjoy it all.”
He also keeps busy with four children and five grandchildren.
Eager to further his research in macro-level social change, Kentor values WSU’s prime location. “It’s such a diverse student body that you learn a lot just by being here,” he says. “You’re in Detroit, so on a smaller scale you get to see both the downside of what happened in America as well as the revitalization that is taking place. Wayne State is a microcosm of the entire world.”
Kentor focuses on understanding how societies are influenced on a global level, maintaining that there are two fundamental areas of influence: economic power and military power. “These two areas have shaped not just the country but the world,” he says. “We can look at the data and see it, and that’s amazing.”
Currently, he is focusing his research on the military and the impact of international migration: “There is a lot being said about the negative impact immigrants have on the country, blaming immigration for poor economic development, income inequality and even violence. I want to find out what the reality of it is. Let’s listen to the numbers rather than whatever the media is telling us.”
Kentor credits Wayne State for the opportunity to dive deeper into his passions through research. Being surrounded by faculty members who are just as involved in their research provides him with a sense of support and unity. According to Kentor, faculty members who are active in their fields make for a better college experience.
“A good researcher is a good teacher,” he says. “We have a faculty of strong researchers who are staying current in what they are teaching. They aren’t blindly doing the same thing over and over. Instead, they are finding new ways to think about things. They provide original and authentic ideas.”
Kentor himself is working with his team on a new type of analysis that allows them to look at the relationship between two countries rather than using data from individual countries, with plans to eventually publish their findings.
While the ability to expand his research was a huge motivator for Kentor’s move to Wayne State, he was not expecting to love the community so much. “The highlight of this university has been the people,” he says. “There’s a terrific group of folks here, both in terms of the faculty and the students. It’s a really neat place and I’m really glad that I get to be here. I have the best job I could imagine.”
This article was originally published in Wayne State Showcase.
