Stacie M. Metz, MA, MPH, MSW, PhD

Stacie M. Metz, MA, MPH, MSW, PhD

Department Vice-Chair, Graduate Coordinator, Professor
Anderson Hall, Room 443 
610-436-2101
smetz@wcupa.edu
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Curriculum Vitae

Degrees

  • BA, Psychology: Bloomsburg University
  • MA, Psychology: Towson University
  • MPH: Saint Louis University
  • MSW: Saint Louis University
  • PhD, Public Health Studies: Saint Louis University

Main areas of interest

  • Adolescent mental health and social-emotional learning
  • Health promotion in young adult populations
  • Program evaluation

Inspiration

I grew up in a blue-collar family in Allentown, Pa., along with my grandmother, who was experiencing paranoid schizophrenia. She was able to live with us and have the supportive environment necessary to stay out of frequent inpatient care and maintain her quality of life. It was evident to me that others experiencing similar mental health challenges faced additional setbacks and barriers to seeking care and support. I vividly remember dreaming of opening a community mental health center in order to help those in need. I envisioned a blend of preventive and tertiary services to improve not only emotional health, but also social, physical, and spiritual health.

Mental health and social problems are complex and require a comprehensive ecological approach to their definition and solution. I pursued training in psychology, public health, and social work in order to acquire the lens of multiple disciplines and the program evaluation skill set to help improve services and their delivery. I hope to propel students to examine problems from that multilevel and interdisciplinary lens. As a social worker, I am dedicated to inspiring critical thought, confidence, and the social and civic potential of each student.

Adolescent mental health and social-emotional learning

In collaboration with Brandywine Health Foundation and other regional partners, I am currently the lead evaluator for Youth Mental Health First Aid training in Coatesville, Pa. Each eight-hour course is designed to help educate people on the “first aid” skills needed to help a youth who is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

Presentations

  • Frank, J.L., Reibel, D., Metz, S.M., Cantrell, T., & Broderick, P.C. (2013, May). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on educator stress and well-being: Results from a pilot study. Paper presented at the First International Conference on Mindfulness, Rome, Italy.
  • Broderick, P., Reibel, D., Cantrell, T., & Metz, S.M. (2012, March). Wellness in high school: Introducing mindfulness training to teachers, administrators, and students. Presentation at the International Scientific Conference for Clinicians, Researchers and Educators, Boston, MA.

Publications

Health promotion in young adult populations

I am collaborating with Dr. James Brenner in the Department of Health on assessing the prevalence and correlates of alcohol-related unintentional injury in high school and college athletes in order disseminate clear recommendations for preventive measures and interventions.

Presentations

  • Heinerichs, S., Metz, S., Prewitt, A., Geisler, P., & Kicklighter, T. (2016, June). Clinical reasoning abilities of athletic training preceptors using the Diagnostic Thinking in Athletic Training Inventory. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Baltimore, MD.
  • Metz, S.M., Willner, K., & Brenner, J. (2015, November). Correlates of alcohol-related unintentional injury in varsity athletes. Poster session presented at meeting of the American Public Health Association, Chicago, IL.
  • Joseph, R. A., O’Brien, K., Hyers, L., & Metz, S. (2015, April). Health literacy in undergraduate students: Do nursing students have higher health literacy? Poster session presented at meeting of the National Association of Nursing Students, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Metz, S. M., & Willner, K. (2014, April). Health risk behaviors associated with binge drinking among high school students. Poster session presented at WCU Research Day, West Chester, PA.
  • Metz, S.M., & Hartman, J. (2014, April). Factors that influence flourishing in children with mild to severe hearing loss. Poster session presented at WCU Research Day, West Chester, PA.
  • Brenner, J.W., Metz, S.M., & Entriken, J. (2013, November). Alcohol-related unintentional injury among college students. Poster session presented at meeting of the American Public Health Association, Boston, MA.
  • Brenner, J.W., Metz, S.M., Entriken, J., & KC, S. (2013, April). Collegiate athletic trainers’ experience and attitudes regarding alcohol-related unintentional injury in athletes. Poster session presented at WCU Research Day, West Chester, PA.

Publications

Program evaluation

I serve as a program evaluation consultant on wide range of interdisciplinary needs assessments and interventions serving university students and older adults in the community.Additionally, I am a data manager and statistical analyst for a variety of projects related to community health and chronic disease.

Presentations

  • Metz, S.M., Casola, A., McGee, K., & Nies, A. (2016, March). Effectiveness of the Youth Mental Health First Aid training in Coatesville, PA, school district employees and community members. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Public Health Education, Charlotte, NC.
  • Metz, S. M., & Casola, A. (2015, November). Evaluation of the Youth Mental Health First Aid training in Coatesville, PA: Preliminary findings. Poster presented at the meeting of the American Public Health Association, Chicago, IL.
  • Metz, S.M. (2015, March). Effectiveness of the Learning to BREATHE program on emotion regulation in adolescents. Poster session presented at WCU Research Day, West Chester, PA.

Publication

Additional areas of research

 Presentation

  • Bean, N.M., Davidson, P.G., Metz, S.M., & Nuzzi, G.M. (2016, November). Teaching across the boundaries of health disciplines: The imperative for interprofessional education. Presentation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

Additional projects

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