BVU Professor’s Research Supports Student Well-Being in High-Needs Schools

March 26, 2026

Dr. Renee Fensom, Buena Vista University's Director of Professional School Counseling master's program, is helping schools better support student mental health through research grounded in practical application.

Her recent article, "Boosting Student Well-Being: A Pilot Study in a High-Needs Upper Secondary School," published in the journal Professional School Counseling, examines the stressors affecting students and evaluates a school-based intervention designed to improve psychological health.

The study found significant gains in overall well-being, personal growth, and environmental mastery among participating students, with female students experiencing notable reductions in stress. The findings suggest the intervention may be especially effective in racially and culturally diverse school settings, offering a practical framework for schools looking to strengthen student support.

The idea for the research emerged during Dr. Fensom's experience as a school counselor, where former students shared they felt unprepared for the mental and emotional demands of college.

"Hearing that my former students didn't emotionally feel ready for college really stood out to me," said Dr. Fensom. "The school did a wonderful job supporting students academically and had a high graduation rate, but students reported they were not prepared emotionally to endure college. Schools need to focus on well-being and resilience and intentionally teach students the skills they need to thrive outside of high school and on their own."

Dr. Fensom brings more than 19 years of experience as a professional school counselor across K-12 settings, specializing in supporting adolescents and diverse student populations. Her professional experience continues to inform both her research and her commitment to preparing the next generation of counselors.

At BVU, she leads the Professional School Counseling master's program, teaching graduate-level counseling courses, overseeing curriculum development and assessment, and ensuring the program prepares future counselors to meet the evolving needs of students and schools.

To learn more about Dr. Fensom's research, read the full article here.