Jessica Leveto
Biography
Jessica A. Leveto, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Sociology. She is a sociological social psychologist with expertise in family, motherhood, identity, mental health, neurodiversity, emotion, scholarship of teaching and learning, and higher education.
Dr. Leveto is examining the impact of COVID-19 on mothers in academia and policies that will make higher education more accessible for caregiving faculty and students. Her work currently focuses on pedagogical practices to increase access and inclusion for parenting students. Dr. Leveto works within the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, exploring how career readiness competencies can be integrated throughout the sociology curriculum. Dr. Leveto has experience in quantitative, qualitative, and mix-method research, including analysis using SPSS, STATA, AMOS, and MAXQDA. She has been published in various outlets, including Sociology Compass, Current Psychology, Advances in Group Processes: Biosociology and Neurosociology, and New Directions in Identity Theory and Research (Oxford University Press).
She is engaged in creating equitable, accessible opportunities for faculty and students in higher education. She teaches a wide range of courses in sociology, including; Introduction to Sociology, Childhood in Society, Adolescence in Society, Aging in Society, Sociology of Families, Sociology of Gender, Sociology of Sexualities, Minorities in the United States, Sociological Theories, Data Analysis, Researching Society, and Career Pathways in Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies.
Dr. Leveto is the founder and administrator of Ph.D. Mamas. Ph.D. Mamas is an online support community of over 18k mothers in academia worldwide. Dr. Leveto recently became Vice President of Academic Mama Foundation with a mission of empowering academic mamas by awarding grants supporting the pursuit of an academic career while raising children.
She is a proud first-generation college graduate committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. She is the mother of three, Liam (23), Ryleigh (8), and Lillian (7).
Teaching Areas/Courses
Introduction to Sociology
Sociological Analysis
Adolescence in Society
Sociology of Gender
Data Analysis & Data Analysis Lab
Sociology of Health & Health Care
Sociology of Mental Health
Aging in Society
Career Pathways in Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies
Researching Society
Sociological Theories
Sociology of Families
Sociology of Work
Internship in Sociology
Individualized Investigation (Independent Research)
Research Areas
Motherhood and Higher Education
Sociology of Work and Family
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Social Psychology: Identity & Emotion
Sociology of Mental Health
Sociology of Autism & Neurodiversity
Education
Publications
- Leveto, Jessica A. (forthcoming) “A Little Compassion Would Go a Long Way” Transforming Higher Education through Equitable Policy and Practice for Parenting Graduate Students. in in Making Colleges Supportive Spaces for Pregnant and Parenting.” 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
- 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)
