Education
2012 Sociology, Ph.D., Kent State University
- Specialty: Social Psychology, Identity, Mental Health & Emotions
2005 Social Science, MA, Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) Edinboro
- Sociology, Minor: History
2003 Sociology, BA, Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) Edinboro
- Minor: Psychology, Concentration: Statistics
Certificates
2024 Coaching for Intentional Development Certificate, Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Executive Education
2023 Foundations of Coaching Certificate, Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Executive Education
2021 Online and Blended Teaching and Learning Postgraduate Certificate, School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, Kent State University
Experience
2012- Present
Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology
Kent State University at Ashtabula
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Sociology
Childhood in Society
Adolescence in Society
Aging in Society
Sociology of Gender
Sociological Analysis
Data Analysis & Data Analysis Lab
Sociology of Health & Health Care
Sociology of Mental Health
Career Pathways in Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies
Researching Society
Sociological Theories
Social Problems
Sociology of Families
Sociology of Work
Sociology of Gender
Sociology of Mental Health
Minorities in the United States
Sociology of Sexualities
2024-Present
CEO/Founder, IntegratED Coaching Consulting
IntegratEd Coaching & Consulting, specializes in transformative coaching and consulting services. It aims to guide individuals and organizations through challenging environments, transforming obstacles into growth opportunities. With a focus on work-life integration, belonging, inclusion and access, emotional intelligence, and leadership development, IntegratEd supports personal and professional fulfillment against the backdrop of demanding institutional structures and cultural norms.
2015-Present
Founder, Ph.D. Mamas
Ph.D. Mamas is home to over 19k motherscholars globally, creating community and visibility and redefining what it means to be a motherscholar through community, collaboration, and connection.
2021-Present
Consultant, Matthews Mitchell Group
Conduct webinars, workshops, and training that utilize sociological foundations to build equitable, inclusive, and diverse organizations.
Topics include but are not limited to the following;
- Social Psychological Foundations of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Macro/Micro Links in Racial Justice
- Culture, Freedom & Art
- DEI Strategic Planning and Equity Training
- 1/1 Non-Profit Board Consultations related to Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Justice
- Positionality & Intersectionality
- Mothering, Caretaking & Surviving in the Academy
Let’s Connect
Research
Current work:
Book “Building Inclusive Learning Environments: A Comprehensive Guide for Supporting Parenting Students in Higher Education” Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Editor, Edited Volume “Ph.D. Mamas: Ten Years at the Intersections of Crisis and Community for Mothers* in Academia. Open CFP http://tinyurl.com/PhDMamasCFP
“Negotiated Meanings of Mother and Scholar During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The “New” Motherscholar Identity: Implications for Work and Family in Higher Education,” Advances in Identity Theory
Click Titles to See More
Publications*
Leveto, Jessica A. 2024. “Nurturing Equity and Access: Compassion in Action for Parenting Graduate Students” in Making Colleges Supportive Spaces for Pregnant and Parenting Students, edited by Catherine Riley and Katie B. Garner. Routledge.
CohenMiller, Anna and Jessica A. Leveto. 2023. “Centering voices of motherscholars during the COVID-19 pandemic shows overwhelming responsibilities, ingrained gender roles, and blurred boundaries.” in Leading change in gender and diversity in higher education internationally from margins to mainstream edited by Anna CohenMiller, Tamsin Hinton-Smith, Fawzia Mazanderani, and Nupur Samuel. Routledge.
Leveto, Jessica A. 2020. “Exploring the Relationships Between Discrepancies in Perceptions of Emotional Performance Among College Students on Self-Esteem and Psychological Distress” Current Psychology. Springer.
Leveto, Jessica A. 2018 “Toward a Sociology of Autism and Neurodiversity” Sociology Compass. Wiley.
Leveto, Jessica A. 2016. “Happiness and Identity Theory” in New Directions in Identity Theory and Research. Volume 1. Volume Editors Jan E. Stets and Richard T. Serpe. Oxford University Press.
Leveto, Jessica A. and Will Kalkhoff. 2012. "Biosocial Interaction Rituals of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Research Agenda for Neurosociology." Advances in Group Processes, Biosociology and Neurosociology Vol. 29. Volume Editor Will Kalkhoff. Series Editors Shane Thye and Edward Lawler. Emerald Books.
Presentations*
2024 “Ph.D. Mamas: Ten Years at the Intersection of Crisis and Community for Mothers* in Academia,” session organizer and panelist, North Central Sociological Association (NCSA) Columbus, OH.
2023 “Negotiated Meanings of Mother and Scholar During the COVID-19 Pandemic, The “New” Motherscholar Identity: Implications for Work and Family in Higher Education,” Fifth Biennial Conference on Identity Theory and Research, Ellensburg, WA
2023 “The ‘Great Resignation’ Meets the ‘Demographic Cliff’ Lessons Learned and Lost from COVID-19’s Impact on Parents and Caregivers in Academia” North Central Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Grand Rapids, MI.
2022 “Development and Implementation of a Career Pathways Course in Sociology” North Central Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Indianapolis, IN
2022 “It's a fucking nightmare.” Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Mothers: Stressors, Strains & the Evolution of Emotion 2020-2021.” Sociologists for Women in Society, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
2021 “Women, Power & Progress,” Keynote at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Women’s History Month. Edinboro, PA.
Workshops*
2024 “EmpowerED Parenting Students & Equity Driven High Impact Practices” National Student Parent Support Symposium. Columbus, OH.
2023 “Foundational Frameworks and Pedagogical Praxis for Access, Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion for Parenting and Caregiving Students” Lead Facilitator. Workshop presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meetings, Philadelphia, PA
2023 “Transforming Practice: Building Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging into Higher Education by Design” National Student Parent Support Symposium. Columbus, OH.
2023 “Pedagogical Practices for Equity and Access: Parenting and Caregiving Students,” Workshop developed and facilitated for Mothering and Motherhood on the Home/Front, International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship (IAMAS) Virtual/Chicago, IL.
2023 “Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Faculty to Support Equity & Inclusion for Parenting and Caregiving Students.” Workshop facilitated for the Center for Teaching and Learning Kent State University. Workshop for the Ohio College Teaching Consortium Inclusive Teaching Endorsement. Kent, OH.
2022 “You Don’t Know, What You Don’t Know” Introduction to Positionality.” Special presentation for the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (EHHS Climate Committee) Kent State University.
2022 “Beating Burnout Workshop” International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship (IAMAS)
* for complete list of scholarly work check out my vita & professional profile
Media
Monitor on Psychology, APA, January 1, 2023. Stringer, H. “More psychologists are exploring alternative careers outside of academia.”
Science Magazine, September 2022. Langin, K. (Associate Editor, Careers), Interview: ‘I’m worried.’ Policies to help faculty amid pandemic could backfire.”
John Hopkins: Global Health Now. July 15, 2022. Silberner, J. “How Covid Slowed Basic Science.”
Nature, May 31, 2022. Gewin, V. “Has the great resignation hit academia?”
Founder & Executive Director
Ph.D. Mamas
Ph.D. Mamas was founded in 2015.
Ph.D. Mamas is home to over 19k motherscholars globally - creating community, visibility, and redefining what it means to be a motherscholar through community, collaboration, and connection.
The mission of Ph.D. Mamas is to cultivate an environment of support, empowerment, and inclusivity for individuals identifying as mothers* within academia, focusing on addressing intersectional oppressions. We commit to providing educational resources, support, and empowerment opportunities sensitive to these varied and complex identities. Recognizing the unique challenges brought on by intersecting factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability, we aim to create a community that is aware and actively engaged in dismantling barriers. Our goal is to offer tools and resources to meet the diverse needs of mothers and caregivers, enabling them to thrive professionally and personally. Through advocacy, inclusive networking, and a robust support system, we strive to forge a more equitable academic landscape that genuinely values and supports the multifaceted roles of mothers and caregivers, acknowledging and addressing the layered realities they navigate.
IntegratED
Coaching | Consulting
