Jessica A. Leveto
Biography
Associate Professor of Sociology | Organizational Strategist
Jessica A. Leveto, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Kent State University whose work bridges research, leadership, and systems-level innovation. With over two decades of experience, she examines identity, family, neurodiversity, and the evolving structures of academic institutions. Her research investigates the lived experiences of caregiving scholars, exploring how systems can be redesigned to support the full range of human identities.
Research & Methodological Rigor
Dr. Leveto brings specialized expertise in program evaluation and mixed-method research. She is proficient in advanced analytical tools—including STATA, MAXQDA, SPSS, and NVivo—and applies this skill set to institutional initiatives focused on instructional design, faculty development, and student success.
Pedagogy of Relational Trust
At the core of her teaching is relational trust, a foundation that allows students to take intellectual risks. Drawing on Design Innovation and metacognition, she transforms potential barriers into opportunities for growth.
Institutional Leadership & Global Community
Dr. Leveto contributes to several university-wide strategic planning efforts and has led efforts to build structural support for caregiving faculty and students.
- Ph.D. Mamas: Founder of an international online community of over 20,000 academic mothers.
- Editorial Leadership: Serves on the Editorial Board of Teaching Sociology (ASA).
- IntegratEd Coaching and Consulting, LLC: Offers leadership development and strategic advising for human-centered environments.
A first-generation college graduate and mother of three—Liam (26), Ryleigh (11), and Lillian (10)—Dr. Leveto brings personal insight and professional expertise to her mission to help institutions evolve to support the full scope of the human experience.
Education
2005 M.A., Social Sciences, Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) Edinboro
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2024 Weatherhead Coaching Certificate, Case Western Reserve University
2023 Weatherhead Foundations of Coaching Certificate, Case Western Reserve University
2021 Online and Blended Teaching and Learning Postgraduate Certificate, Kent State University
Expertise
Motherhood
Neurodiversity
Identity
Emotion
scholarship of teaching and learning
higher education equity
Publications
- CohenMiller, Anna and J. A. Leveto. 2024 “Motherscholars” Oxford Annotated Bibliographies, Education. Series Editor Susan Faircloth. Oxford University Press.
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2024. “Nurturing Equity and Access: Compassion in Action for Parenting Graduate Students” in Making Colleges Supportive Spaces for Pregnant and Parenting Students, edited by Catherine Riley and Katie B. Garner. Routledge.
- CohenMiller, A and J. A. Leveto. 2023 "Centering voices of motherscholars during the COVID-19 pandemic shows overwhelming responsibilities, ingrained gender roles, and blurred boundaries." Leading Change in Gender and Diversity in Higher Ed. Routledge
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2022 Invited Review, “Living on the Spectrum,” Contemporary Sociology.
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2021. "Embedding Career Readiness Throughout the Curriculum: A Case for Explicit, Transparent Connections." Teaching Learning Matters, American Sociological Association Teaching and Learning Section.
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2020. “Exploring the Relationships Between Discrepancies in Perceptions of Emotional Performance Among College Students on Self-Esteem and Psychological Distress” Current Psychology. Springer.
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2018 “Toward a Sociology of Autism and Neurodiversity” Sociology Compass. Wiley.
- Leveto, Jessica A. 2016. “Happiness and Identity Theory” New Directions in Identity Theory and Research. Volume 1. Volume Editors Jan E. Stets and Richard T. Serpe. Oxford University Press.
- Leveto, Jessica A. and Will Kalkhoff. 2012. "Biosocial Interaction Rituals of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Research Agenda for Neurosociology." Advances in Group Processes, Biosociology and Neurosociology Vol. 29. Volume Editor Will Kalkhoff.
Awards/Achievements
- Kent State University Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient 2025
- Faculty Fellow, AY22-23 KSU Center for Teaching and Learning, Addressing Course Accessibility for Parenting/Caregiving Students
- Platinum Teaching Recognition Award, “Career Pathways in Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies” Kent State University Center for Teaching and Learning (2022)
- University Research Council Grant, “The Impact of COVID19 on Mothers in Academia.” (2022)
- Summer Teaching Development Grant, University Teaching Council, Center for Teaching and Learning, Kent State University, “Embedding Support of Career Readiness Competency Throughout the Sociology Curriculum” (2020)
- Honoree, “Mothers, Mentors & Muses” Kent State University Women’s Center (2014)
