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On March 6, 2025 KSU Counseling Center Clinicians presented at the College Board’s A Dream Deferred 2025 conference in Los Angeles, California to a standing room only audience. The presentation titled, “Building Trauma Informed Classrooms,” proposed a framework to translate trauma-informed practices and cultures into the classroom setting to enhance student-centered educational experiences. 

“I feel that the information we presented was vitally important for our HBCU community. We see so many of our students who have experienced multiple and complex traumas and it’s important to meet those students where they are and provide them a safe environment to learn and grow,” said Mental Health Counselor William L. Mynk, MA, MPA, LPCC.

The presentation sought to address the need for trauma-informed cultures within educational settings by presenting practices and strategies with a particular focus on the core principles of trauma-informed cultures which include safety, choice, and collaboration. The session took place as part of the College Board’s A Dream Deferred 2025 conference which provides a platform for educators to present strategies that address the unique educational and cultural needs of African American students, as well as forums to share knowledge and data.

“This conference allowed us to exchange strengths. Often times, especially in the media, HBCU’s are portrayed as deficient or inadequate. This conference gave other HBCUs authorization to be that: an HBCU; filled with culture, full of life, overflowing with accomplishments, and more than enough to share with each other,” said KSU Mental Health Counselor Ka’Tora Dunn, MA, LPCA.