PHOENIX, October 20, 2025 — University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences announces a new white paper, “Trauma-Informed Education – A Pathway for Relief, Retention, and Renewal,” authored by College leadership Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPAC; Barbara Burt, Psy.D.; Michelle Crawford-Morrison, LMFT, LPCC, NCC; Samantha E. Dutton, Ph.D., LCSW-R; Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC (QCS); and MaryJo Trombley, Ph.D. The paper asserts that implementing trauma-informed practices can improve outcomes for students and educators, driving retention and well-being while equipping learners with skills they can carry into the workplace.
“Working adults bring complex life experiences into the classroom,” said Sheila Babendir, Ed.D., LPAC, interim dean and co-author. “Practical, trauma-informed strategies help faculty create supportive, rigorous learning experiences that honor those realities while keeping students on track to reach their goals.”
“Trauma-informed education isn’t a single tactic — it’s a mindset,” added Samantha Dutton, Ph.D., LCSW-R, associate dean and co-author. “When institutions intentionally design learning environments that recognize and respond to trauma, students and instructors experience more trust, more stability and better outcomes.”