معرفی
Sarah Kiperman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Wayne State University's College of Education. She holds a PhD in School Psychology from Georgia State University and is a Licensed Psychologist in Michigan, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a Registered Play Therapist. She teaches courses in educational and social psychology and serves on the Academic Senate and the College of Education Executive Committee.
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, Theater & Drama, and Psychology, Indiana University
- Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Psychology, New York University
- Master of Education (MEd) in School Psychology, Georgia State University
- Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology, Georgia State University
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in School Psychology, Georgia State University
Her research centers on culture-responsive mental health and wellness across the lifespan, with a strong focus on LGBTQ+ advocacy, geriatric wellness through play-based interventions, and community engagement. She utilizes methodologies such as Mixed Methods, Participatory Culture-Specific Intervention Modeling (PCSIM), Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), and Prevention-Informed Science, framed by ecological and minority stress theories. Her work emphasizes social justice, perceived social support, and inclusive practices in school and community settings.
The recent trend in her publications (2021–2024) shows a consistent focus on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, examining the impact of legal environments, social support, identity development, and consent procedures. Her research often involves mixed methods and community participation, aiming to inform policy and practice. She has also contributed to understanding school dropout, cyberbullying, and mental health screening through an equity lens.
Scientific Awards and Recognition:
- School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference Scholar (2021)
- 36 Under 36, The Jewish News of Metro Detroit & The Well (2021)
- CARE Employee of the Month, Astor Services for Children and Families (2018)
- Karen Lopp Memorial Scholarship, Georgia State University (2016)
- Deborah Crockett Professional Development Award, Georgia State University (2016)
- Chet W. Harris Scholarship, Georgia State University (2015)
- Kenneth and Mary Matheny Endowed Scholarship, Georgia State University (2011)
- Samuel Eschborn Service Award, New York University (2011)
Advising and Grants: Dr. Kiperman advises doctoral students and mentors the Student Affiliates of the Society for Counseling Psychology (SA-SCP). She has secured multiple research grants as Principal Investigator, including an Early Career Research Award from the Society for the Study of School Psychology ($20,000) for a psychoeducational video series supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and internal grants from Wayne State University totaling over $55,000 for projects on LGBTQ+ youth and social support. She is also a co-investigator on a $35,000 internal grant for a systematic review of LGBTQ+ legislation.
Labs, Teams, and Community Engagement: She fosters community relationships in the Detroit/Detroit Metro area to conduct needs-based, responsive research. She volunteers with Affirmations in Ferndale, MI, and serves as a consultant for Alternatives for Girls in Detroit, MI, integrating community voices into her research agenda.
