Aisha Griffith

Aisha Griffith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and Coordinator of the Master's Program in Youth Development. She holds a PhD in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MA from the same institution, and a BA in History from Northwestern University.

Her research focuses on youth-adult relationships in educational and out-of-school contexts, emphasizing trust dynamics and their impact on adolescent development. Key areas include Black students' experiences with school staff, qualitative methodology, and the role of non-parental adults in fostering positive youth outcomes. Her work bridges research and practice through collaborations with organizations like the National Mentoring Resource Center and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Griffith teaches courses such as EPSY517 (Seminar in Urban Youth Development) and EPSY414 (Developing Programs for Youth). Her current research project, Black Girl RISES, centers Black adolescent girls' perspectives on school staff interactions, supported by a UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy Fellowship. Her publications span developmental psychology journals and practitioner-focused outlets like the APA Division 15 Practice Brief.

Awards include the UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy Faculty Fellowship. Her service includes presenting at conferences like the Society for Research on Adolescence and contributing to initiatives linking research to educational practice.