Jessica Samuolis

Jessica Samuolis is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences at Sacred Heart University, where she has served since Fall 2011 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University's School of Public Health and working as a Research Scientist for a New York health promotion organization.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University
• M.A. in Community Counseling from Fairfield University
• B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from Fairfield University

Dr. Samuolis specializes in identity development among adolescents and young adults, substance abuse prevention (particularly for youth), and program development and evaluation. Her work bridges community psychology and developmental psychology, emphasizing evidence-based interventions for at-risk populations.

Recent publications reveal a strong focus on college student mental health during crises (notably the COVID-19 pandemic), opioid misuse prevention, and digital screening tools—demonstrating her commitment to translating research into campus-wide health initiatives.

Her scholarly contributions have earned recognition through:

• Tenure and promotion in 2019
• Naclerio Faculty Scholars Program Award (2016/2017)

As faculty advisor for the Psychology Club and Principal Investigator of the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative (funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services since 2018), she drives programs addressing opioid misuse and mental health through federal grant expertise developed in prior roles. Her teaching portfolio includes Advanced Psychological Research, Foundations of Community Psychology, and Program Development and Evaluation courses.