Wade Leuwerke

Wade Leuwerke, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Education at Drake University, specializing in counseling and career development. He holds a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College, and MS and PhD degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His expertise spans noncognitive factors in student success, career development technologies, and school counseling program evaluation. Dr. Leuwerke co-developed the Student Strengths Inventory (SSI), a widely used assessment tool for predicting academic success and retention. He actively researches the role of technology in career counseling, ethical dilemmas in professional practice, and international comparisons of school counseling systems. Courses taught include Methods of Counseling, Ethics for Counselors, and College and Career Readiness. His work with federal agencies and educational institutions focuses on student retention strategies, program effectiveness evaluation, and career development outcomes. Dr. Leuwerke is a member of the Iowa Behavioral Sciences Licensure Board and contributes to national dialogues on educational policy and counselor training.

• Education:
  • BA: Gustavus Adolphus College
  • MS: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
  • PhD: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Research Focus:
  • Noncognitive factors influencing academic persistence
  • Technology in career counseling practices
  • School counselor role development
  • Program evaluation methodologies

His research outputs emphasize practical applications, including the SSI instrument used at over 50 institutions and a forthcoming student success textbook. Recent work addresses college readiness gaps through initiatives like GEAR UP Iowa. Dr. Leuwerke's scholarship bridges theory and practice, impacting both educational institutions and policy frameworks.

Teaching emphasizes experiential learning—students engage in ethical dilemma simulations and lifespan development projects. He collaborates internationally, analyzing school counseling systems in China and Turkey through comparative studies. Grants and partnerships involve career development companies and educational agencies to improve assessment tools and student support strategies.

Professional service includes advising on licensure standards and contributing to national models for school counseling programs. Dr. Leuwerke's interdisciplinary approach integrates counseling psychology, education policy, and technological innovation to address 21st-century educational challenges.