Biography

Dr. Katie Koo’s research focuses on underrepresented students’ collegiate experiences, mental health issues, and adjustment, including international students’ psychological well-being. Her research on race and racism, Asian American college students’ experiences, international students’ psychological well-being and adjustment, and mental health assessment for minoritized students has been published in Journal of College Student Development, Review of Higher Education, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, Journal of International Students, International Journal of Psychology, and Asian American Journal of Psychology. She is currently serving on the ACPA College Student Development International Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development as Faculty-in-Residence and chairing ASHE International Scholars Workshop. Prior to be a faculty member, Dr. Koo also worked as a student affairs professional by serving diverse college students at the university counseling center, residence life, international student office, and learning assistance services.

Areas of Expertise

  • College counseling
  • College student development
  • International higher education

Interests

  • Minoritized college students' experiences
  • College student mental health
  • International students' adjustment and well-being
  • Race and racism on campus
  • Asian and Asian American students and faculty

Concentrations

Education

  •  Ph.D in Student Affairs, 2016
    University of Maryland
  •  MA in Counseling Psychology, 2009
    New York University
  •  MA in Counseling, 2005
    Michigan State University
  •  BA in Psychology, 2003
    Duksung Women's University

Contact

Grants

NASPA Transition and Retention Knowledge Community Research Grant
2021-2022
Title: Factors affecting the success of two college student groups: Regular admission vs. special admission
ACPA Emerging Scholar Grant
2020-2022
Title: What makes them distressed? A longitudinal analysis on campus climate and mental health among international students
Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences Grant at Texas A&M University
Title: Diverse college students’ experiences on their mental health and multiple collegiate experiences during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal and mix-method study
NASPA Region VI Research & Assessment Grant
Title: A Comparative Study on Campus Racial Climate and Mental Health among International Students and Domestic Students
Faculty Research Grant by Texas A&M University-Commerce Title: Living in Two Different Worlds: International Graduate Students’ Professional and Personal Experiences
Title: Living in Two Different Worlds: International Graduate Students’ Professional and Personal Experiences

Publications

Articles

New voices from intersecting identities among international students around the world: Transcending single stories of leaving and going
  • Katie K. & Mathies, C. (In Press)
  • Journal of International Students
Mom, Asian international student, doctoral student, and in-between: Asian international doctoral student mothers’ mental well-being
  • Koo, K. & Nyunt, G. (In Press)
  • Journal of College Student Development
Pandemic in a foreign country: Barriers to international students’ well-being during COVID-19
  • Koo, K. & Nyunt, G. (In Press)
  • Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice

Article

It is not my fault: Exploring experience and perceptions of racism among international students during COVID-19
  • Koo, K., Yao, C., & Gong, H. (2021)
  • Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

Articles

Awards and Accolades

ACPA Excellence in International Research Award

ACPA-College Student Educators International, 2022

Best Practice in International Education Award

NASPA-National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, 2022

Fearless Investigation Research Award_Second Place

Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2021

ACPA Emerging Scholar Award

ACPA-College Student Educators International, 2020

Chuck Arize Junior Faculty Award for Dedication and Excellence

Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2020

First Place Presentation Award

American Psychological Association Division 52 International, 2019

Young Researcher Best Paper Award

Korean American Educational Research Association, 2019

Young Researcher Best Paper Award

Korean American Educational Research Association, 2018

Distinguished Service Award

University of Maryland, 2016

Early Career Research Award

American Psychological Association Division 50 Addiction Psychology, 2011