Janae Peters

Janae Peters is the Director of Community Engagement and Student Support and a Practicum Seminar Instructor at the Smith College School for Social Work. She holds a B.A. from Kenyon College and an M.S.W. from Smith College School for Social Work (2015). Her work focuses on systemic approaches to learning, growth, wellness, and equity, integrating clinical social work with educational leadership. She is a Marta Sotomayor Fellow and active member of the Anti-Racism Planning Group (ARPG).

Her research interests include anti-racism, intersectionality, and person-in-environment theories. She has contributed to An Accountable Community (2023), exploring frameworks for institutional change. Peters has held roles such as school counselor, dean of student development, and equity consultant, emphasizing cultural transformation and community well-being.

Awards include the Marta Sotomayor Fellowship. She leads initiatives in equity-focused advising, residential life, and peer mentoring programs. Peters collaborates with teams to advance liberation-centered practices in education and social work.