For Alisha DeWalt, Ph.D., dean of The Chicago School’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies, her first experience in higher education operations was truly eye-opening.
“During my time as a graduate student at The Chicago School, I became a student worker and interacted with everything that happens behind the scenes to influence student success,” Dr. DeWalt says. “I had no idea that all of these roles and all of this work was happening.”
She adds, “When I got the chance to see behind the curtain, I knew this would be a great opportunity for my professional future, where I could make a meaningful impact in expanding access to mental health care.”
Dr. DeWalt says being a student worker brought important things into focus: “Personally, I had understood the importance of mental health resources, but this student worker experience was when I really saw where I could best fit into the larger puzzle of care access, and I was especially glad to be able to pursue that goal of higher education leadership at an institution I already knew so well as a student.”
Dr. DeWalt earned both a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctoral degree in business psychology at The Chicago School. Her professional career at The Chicago School spans more than 11 years, during which she has focused on academic excellence to prepare students to live, thrive, and serve in a diverse and global world.
According to Dr. DeWalt, “As we look toward the future of academic excellence at The Chicago School, I’m particularly invested in the future of online learning. To expand access to care in communities around the country, we need to support students where they’re at and meet the changing needs of students in the most flexible way possible.”
Michele Nealon, Psy.D., president of The Chicago School, applauds the value of Dr. DeWalt’s vision. “Dr. DeWalt is a key champion of education access and innovation within our leadership team,” Dr. Nealon says. “We are so lucky to have her leading our largest academic college and setting students up for successful academic and professional futures.”
For Dr. DeWalt, this support of students is central to her vision, too. “Having really strong mentors is what has gotten me to where I am today,” she says. “I am excited to have the chance to pay it forward and support the next generation of change-makers.”