Penn social work doctoral candidate Vance Patrick died while on extended leave. He was a practicing social worker in New Jersey, according to an emailed statement from Vice Provost for University Life spokesperson Monica Yant Kinney.
Yant Kinney said Patrick graduated with his cohort in 2016 but, since then, he was on leave while finishing his dissertation.
Patrick had taught required courses in the School of Social Policy and Practice's Racism sequence, according to The Clinician, SP2's Clinical Doctor of Social Work Newsletter.
The Clinician further stated that Patrick taught a class titled “American Racism and Social Work Practice” in Fall 2014 and another titled “Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender” in Spring 2015.
In 2014, Patrick served as the LGBTQI Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families - Office of Adolescent Services, The Clinician said.
The University is not aware of the cause of death, Yant Kinney said.
Patrick is the second Penn student to have died in 2018.
This is a breaking story that was last updated at 6:37 p.m. on June 21. Check back here for updates.
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