Tara Powell received her B.A. from University of Iowa, MSW and MPH from Tulane University in New Orleans and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin.  She has had a long career in research and practice on post-disaster behavioral-health working as both a school social worker and researcher in disaster affected communities throughout the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Powell has also led multiple research projects focused on post-trauma recovery and evidence-based interventions, obtained organizational funding for her research, and has co-authored a number of articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters. She also specializes in curriculum development and co-created the Journey of Hope, a school-based psycho-educational program to help children develop positive coping strategies in response to trauma and stress after a disaster.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Powell is collaborating with the organization, Save the Children, to adapt the Journey of Hope to a virtual model. She also is leading a research project examining frontline healthcare providers experiences working in tent hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in New York City.

BA, Communication Studies, University of Iowa, 2001

MSW, Tulane University, 2006

PhD, Social Work, University of Texas - Austin, 2014