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New white paper outlines trauma-informed teaching strategies that support student well-being, faculty wellness and course completion for working adult learners

������ý College of Social and Behavioral Sciences announces a new white paper, “Trauma-Informed Education – A Pathway for Relief, Retention, and Renewal,” authored by College leadership Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPAC; Barbara Burt, Psy.D.; Michelle Crawford-Morrison, LMFT, LPCC, NCC; Samantha E. Dutton, Ph.D., LCSW-R; Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC (QCS); and MaryJo Trombley, Ph.D. The paper asserts that implementing trauma-informed practices can improve outcomes for students and educators, driving retention and well-being while equipping learners with skills they can carry into the workplace.

“Working adults bring complex life experiences into the classroom,” said Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPAC, interim dean and co-author. “Practical, trauma-informed strategies help faculty create supportive, rigorous learning experiences that honor those realities while keeping students on track to reach their goals.” 

“Trauma-informed education isn’t a single tactic — it’s a mindset,” added Samantha Dutton, Ph.D., LCSW-R, associate dean and co-author. “When institutions intentionally design learning environments that recognize and respond to trauma, students and instructors experience more trust, more stability and better outcomes.”

In the white paper, the authors 

• Define trauma-informed education and why it matters in higher education serving adult learners. 

• Recommend classroom approaches that foster psychological safety and course persistence/retention. 

• Connect trauma-informed teaching strategies to faculty well-being and transferable workforce skills.

With an emphasis on knowledge, skills, character and lifelong learning, programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences prepare students to address a community’s mental, psychological, emotional, social and case management needs in counseling; social work; psychology and human services; and criminal justice and public administration. 

Read and download “Trauma-Informed Education – A Pathway for Relief, Retention, and Renewal” on the ������ý Media Center.

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