Steven W. Evans

Steven W. Evans is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ohio University, College of Arts and Sciences. He serves as Co-Director of the Center for Intervention Research in Schools (CIRS) and is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal School Mental Health. His work focuses on developing and evaluating school-based interventions for adolescents with ADHD and related challenges.

Education:

• B.S., Bowling Green State University, Education
• M.A., Ball State University, Psychology
• Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, Clinical Psychology
• Internship & Post-Doc, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic

Dr. Evans’s research centers on treatment development and evaluation for adolescents with ADHD, particularly through the Challenging Horizons Program (CHP). His work explores academic, organizational, and social functioning outcomes, compliance effects, cost-effectiveness, and the role of working alliance and family dynamics. He emphasizes school-based, evidence-driven strategies to improve long-term success for youth with ADHD.

His recent publications span topics such as cost-effectiveness of after-school programs, digital interventions (e.g., ATHEMOS video game), peer-supported engagement, and compliance trajectories. These works reflect a strong trend toward implementation science, personalized intervention models, and real-world applicability in educational settings.

Scientific Leadership and Recognition:

• Editor-in-Chief, School Mental Health
• Co-Director, Center for Intervention Research in Schools (CIRS)
• Principal Investigator on grants from the Institute of Education Sciences and National Institute of Mental Health

Dr. Evans has advised numerous graduate students, many of whom have gone on to PhDs and academic or clinical careers. His research includes grant-funded projects evaluating the long-term impact and economic value of ADHD interventions, with a focus on sustainable, school-integrated models. He collaborates extensively with scholars such as George J. DuPaul, Joshua M. Langberg, Julie S. Owens, and Samantha M. Margherio.

He leads and contributes to major scholarly works, including handbooks and book chapters on school mental health, and has developed practical guides for educators and clinicians. His lab, CIRS, is dedicated to advancing science and practice in youth mental health through rigorous research and dissemination.