Jenny McGrath

Jenny McGrath is an Associate Professor at MacEwan University's Department of Child and Youth Care. With over 20 years of experience in child and youth care across diverse roles, she transitioned to academia in 2006, focusing on experiential learning and student mentorship. She holds an M.Sc. from Nova Southeastern University and is a Certified Child and Youth Care Worker (CCYC). Her research emphasizes practicum education, creative pedagogy, family support, and activity-based interventions.

Dr. McGrath's work prioritizes student agency, fostering their professional identities through hands-on teaching methods. Her scholarship includes collaborations on international education partnerships and trauma-informed practices. She has presented at global conferences, including the CYC World Conference in Vienna and workshops in Dublin.

She has received the Graduate Award from the University of Victoria (2014–2016) and the National Child and Youth Care Worker Award (2006). A member of the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta, she advocates for innovative and relational approaches in child and youth care education and practice.