Challenging educational systems to effect change

It's an expansive undertaking. As professor in the Department of Wellness & Inclusive Services in Education in Rowan's College of Education, Kara Ieva, Ph.D., researches and provides ways to support the academic, social and emotional wellness and development of every student in higher education and K-12 settings.

Ieva challenges educators to create systemic change at the intersection of mental health, education and advocacy for inclusive change.

The COVID-19 pandemic super-charged her research. "School counseling has always adapted to what was needed," she said.

For example, as education shifted to spotlight math and science, new requirements emerged. "The profession was founded when schools recognized the need to help support the social and emotional development of students. We are constantly changing to adapt to what is happening in society."

Ieva participates in four related research collaborations that address antiracist counseling practices, group counseling, youth participatory action research in holistic school counseling, and STEM and virtual reality in postsecondary education. This work has led to 19 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, a groundbreaking book that transformed the teaching of group counseling, three book chapters, 30 presentations, six awards and much more. She has received nearly $2 million in grants during her career, which includes research related to Rowan's pre-college programming that supports first-generation students in STEM.

Ieva is energized to observe systemic change occurring from her research as she works with students and schools.

"Our profession was built on what we call white, middle-class norms. And yet our largest client load is school communities that include administrators, teachers, students and parents who are completely diverse. It's one thing for people to have a degree. It's another to have the competencies to be able to challenge the system.

"It's a parallel process-change the training, change the people, change the system, change the outcome."

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