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 Region III Research and Assessment Grant
2024-2025
Title: Beyond racism: Neo-racism, racialized identities, and racial advocacy for Asian international students in US campuses
ACPA Senior Scholars Research Gant
2024-2025
Voices from the Margins: Stories of Asian International Students’ on Racial Justice
ACPA Commission on Admissions, Orientation, and the First-year Experience Grant
2022 - 2023
Regular admission and special admission: Factors, experiences, and outcomes
ACPA Commission for Global Dimension of Student Development International Research Grant
2021-2022
Teaching in unprecedented times: Collaborative self-study on international faculty’s teaching stories in COVID-19 era
ACPA Emerging Scholars Research Grant
2020-2022
Title: What makes them distressed? A longitudinal analysis on campus climate and mental health among international students
NASPA Transition and Retention Knowledge Community Research Grant
Factors affecting the success of two college student groups: Regular admission vs.
special admission

Publications

Articles

“From surviving to thriving” next steps for international graduate students: A call to action.
  • Koo, K., Bodine Al-Sharif, M. & Bista, K. (2024)
  • New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 178, 1–9.

Article

Being social means being happy?: Asian American college students’ social support and depression.
  • Koo, K., Kim, K., Yoon, Y., & Kim, S. (2024).
  • International Journal of Advancement of Counselling
International graduate students: Unique stories and missing voices in higher education.
  • Bodine Al-Sharif, M., Koo, K., & Bista, K. (2024).
  • New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 179, 1–9.
Supporting international student mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Koo, K., Tan, G., & Lee, J. (2024)
  • About Campus. 29(2), 4-15.

“It is not my fault”: Exploring experiences and perceptions of racism among international students of color during COVID-19.
  • Koo, K. K., Yao, C. W., & Gong, H. J. (2023), 16(3), 284–296.
  • Journal of Diversity in Higher Education

Awards and Accolades

Best Article Award

Comparative and International Education Society, International Student and Study Abroad SIG, 2023

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

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