Rose Marie Äikäs

Rose Marie Äikäs is an Adjunct Professor at Smith College's School for Social Work, where she teaches courses in Substance Abuse Policy, Treatment and Services, and Criminal Justice Policies. Concurrently, she serves as a professor at CUNY-Queensborough Community College, teaching criminal justice and social work courses. Her academic roles bridge policy, practice, and education for marginalized populations.

Her research focuses on:

• College readiness among incarcerated students
• Educational and internship experiences of formerly incarcerated human service students
• Mental health interventions within criminal justice contexts
• Social work pedagogy and practice

She has received the following recognition:

• New York State Corrections and Community Supervision Volunteer of the Year (2016)

Prior to academia, she worked extensively in mental health settings, including prison clinics, halfway houses, and family services, directly supporting re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.