Grand Challenges and Opportunities
Reimagining Mental Health and Wellness in Education
Mental health and well-being are consistently at the top of concerns and challenges for educators, staff and students. Since the height of COVID-19 these issues have risen in severity across society, and data show they have worsened each year. Rossier School of Education’s 6-part series on reimagining learning for mental health and well-being will bring together experts from Rossier, USC and the broader community to tackle challenges of increased social isolation, heightened tensions among people with differing thoughts, and rising burnout among people in the educational field. During the fall semester, discussions will focus on amplifying research and practice in K-12, postsecondary, and informal learning spaces that highlight human-centric approaches within learning environments. In the spring semester, we turn attention to reimagining the well-being of educators, practitioners and administrators, who serve as a support for students’ mental health and burnout, through human-centric approaches.
PART 6: Cultivating Systemic Wellness: Perspectives of Administrators & Leaders
Additional Resources
Well-being on a systemic level requires leadership that understands the interconnectedness of individuals, organizations, and communities. This session examines the role of administrators and leaders in fostering holistic wellness across varied learning contexts. Panelists will explore the broader implications of systemic well-being, focusing on how leadership practices, cultural dynamics, technological advancements, and structural innovations can create sustainable environments that promote well-being.
Moderator:
Theodore R. Burnes, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists:
- Gregory Franklin, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education; Retired Superintendent of Tustin Unified School District
- Quade French, Associate Dean, Academic Culture and Well-being, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
- Liane I. Hypolite, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Cal Poly Pomona; Director, Equity-Focused Leadership Collaborative
- Elizabeth Peisner, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs – Health and Wellness, CalArts
- Ilene Rosenstein, Former Associate Vice Provost for Campus Wellbeing and Education, USC; Teaching Professor of Education, USC Rossier School of Education
PART 5: Uplifting Educators: Teachers & Faculty Perspectives
Additional Resources
This panel focuses on the experiences of practitioners within educational systems, exploring how their well-being shapes the broader community.
Panelists will discuss the unique challenges faced by staff in caregiving roles and examine how institutions can cultivate environments that promote balance, inclusion, and holistic support. Through diverse perspectives, this session will explore the critical connections between stat and practitioner well-being and the overall health ot educational systems.
Moderator:
Pedro A. Noguera, Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists:
- Mary Andres, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
- Sheila Bañuelos, Associate Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
- Atheneus O'Campo, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
- Didi Watts, Co-Founder, Teacher Village
Additional Resources
This panel focuses on the experiences of practitioners within educational systems, exploring how their well-being shapes the broader community.
Panelists will discuss the unique challenges faced by staff in caregiving roles and examine how institutions can cultivate environments that promote balance, inclusion, and holistic support. Through diverse perspectives, this session will explore the critical connections between stat and practitioner well-being and the overall health ot educational systems.
Moderator:
Pedro A. Noguera, Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists:
- Brandi Junious,Director of DEI Workplace Wellness, USC Race & Equity Center
- Lynette Merriman,Associate Vice Provost for USC Campus Support and Intervention
- Robin Scholefield,Senior Associate USC Athletic Director of Culture, Wellbeing & Sport Psychology
- Steven Siegel,Chief Mental Health and Wellness Officer, Keck Medicine of USC
Additional Resources
Beyond formal educational settings, students regularly navigate recreational, digital and community spaces that have the potential to affect their well-being. These “third spaces” have tremendous potential to foster creativity, connection and community care. Explore strategies and initiatives aimed at cultivating holistic well-being among young people in informal learning spaces.
Moderator:
Zoë Corwin, Research Professor, Pullias Center for Higher Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists:
- Briana Hinga, Associate Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
- Beatriz Ilari, Professor of Music Teaching & Learning, USC Thornton School of Music
- Miles Jackson, Founder & Executive Director, Cuba Skate, Inc.
- Alison Trope, Clinical Professor, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
- Martin Vitorino, Lecturer, Physical Education & Mind Body Health, USC Dornsife
- Davina Wolter, Associate Dean, Inclusive Learning & Diverse Excellence; Associate Professor of Practice, USC Iovine & Young Academy
Join us for an enriching panel that highlights trends related to mental health and well-being in the postsecondary ecosystem and delves into innovative approaches and practical strategies to embed a focus on well-being within undergraduate and graduate education. Panelists will highlight growing challenges and student needs for unique student experiences such as scholar-athletes and students with diverse learning needs, immigrant students, students who are parents, and justice-involved students.
Moderator:
Royel M. Johnson, Associate Professor and Director, National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates, University of Southern California; Co-Editor, Educational Researcher
Panelists:
- Alan G. Green, Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education; Faculty Athletics Representative, USC Athletic
- Adrian H. Huerta, Assistant Professor, Pullias Center for Higher Education, USC Rossier School of Education
- Julie Posselt, Professor, USC Rossier School of Education; Associate Dean of the Graduate School, University of Southern California; Executive Director, CERPP
- Rudy Roman, Assistant Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
In the first session of our 6-part series, we will explore current mental health and well-being challenges in K-12 spaces, then discover practical examples and actionable insights aimed at nurturing socioemotional growth and enhancing well-being among K-12 students through human-centric approaches.
Moderator:
Pedro A. Noguera, Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean, USC Rossier School of Education
Panelists:
- Rafael Angulo, Teaching Professor, Practicum Education, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
- Tiffany Y.W. Bong, Assistant Professor of Practice and Founding Director, USC Kaufman Connections, Cypher Summit
- Xiomara Mateo-Gaxiola, Adjunct Associate Professor and Director of Community Engagement, Office of Equity & Community Engagement, USC Rossier School of Education
- Shanta Smith, Associate Professor of Clinical Education, USC Rossier School of Education
Series Planning Committee:
Cory Buckner
Assistant Professor of Clinical Education
Eric Canny
Assistant Teaching Professor of Education
Zoë Corwin
Research Professor