SAIS Webinar | Beyond the Counselor’s Office - Evaluating and Enhancing Mental Health Initiatives
Zoom
Event Details
Effective student well-being requires more than a strong counseling program—it demands a whole-school approach grounded in data. In this webinar, the team from Authentic Connections will explore how independent schools can move beyond reactive support models to build proactive, community-wide mental health ecosystems. Drawing on three decades of peer-reviewed research and insights from surveys administered to thousands of students and adults across the country, presenters will guide school leaders through frameworks for evaluating the effectiveness of existing initiatives, identifying gaps, and prioritizing evidence-based interventions. Participants will leave with practical tools to assess mental health and well-being across the full school community and actionable next steps for meaningful, lasting connection.
Series: Whole Health
Speakers: Nina Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO, Authentic Connections
She graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in computer science and psychology and a concentration with honors in cognitive science. Nina is a published author of several papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and articles for practicing educators. Nina uses her multi-domain background to help school leaders better understand how school climate informs community mental health.
Nicole Hager, Director of School Partnerships, Authentic Connections
Prior to joining Authentic Connections, Nicole Hager served as an administrator in independent schools. Her work focused primarily on student well-being.
She graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in English, Psychology and Education. She also has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Bay Path University and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth. Her MALS thesis examined the opportunities and challenges of supporting transgender and non-binary students in independent boarding schools, and her work in student life and well-being has had a particular focus on supporting students of color and LGBTQ+ students.
Nicole got her start in independent education at Deerfield Academy where she worked in admissions and the DEI office before moving into the dean of students office. After nine years at Deerfield, she spent the next 17 years as the Dean of Students at Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) where she was introduced to Dr. Suniya Luthar and her compelling research on resilience. For the last three years, Nicole was the Upper School Director at Kent Place School (KPS).
Who Should Attend: Academic Administrator, Academic Support, Assistant Heads, Athletics, Counselor - College, Counselor - School, Division Heads, Deans of Students, Heads of School, Inclusion & Belonging