Brittany Zakszeski

Assistant Professor

Dr. Brittany Zakszeski is an assistant professor specializing in school psychology in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Lehigh University and is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed and nationally registered health service psychologist, and a board certified behavior analyst–doctoral level. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Delaware, Dr. Zakszeski worked in urban, rural, and alternative schools, most recently consulting with schools, districts, and other child-serving agencies to promote organizational change and improve outcomes for youth with or at risk for developing emotional and behavioral challenges.

Dr. Zakszeski’s research advances equity-centered school policy and practice to promote students’ well-being. She is committed to identifying and addressing disparate access to inclusive, affirming, and responsive educational opportunities for students with minoritized racial, ethnic, sexual, and/or gender identities. Dr. Zakszeski is particularly interested in evaluating the ways in which policies, practices, and identities intersect to shape the educational experiences and mental health outcomes of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students.

Grounding her research in implementation science, Dr. Zakszeski seeks to offer schools systems-level strategies to address student mental health inequities within multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). In recognition of limited school resources and workforce shortages, she refines accessible, efficient, and scalable solutions alongside school-based professionals within school–research partnerships. Her current projects examine state education policies, universal mental health screening, and Tier 2 interventions for emotional risk.

Dr. Zakszeski directs Project GROW (Growing Resilience, Opportunities, and Wellness in Delaware Schools), a state-wide, cross-university partnership that aims to integrate and evaluate efforts to advance school mental health service professional recruitment, preparation, practice, and retention in Delaware schools.

Dr. Zakszeski teaches courses in classroom and systems consultation in schools. She has held various leadership roles in the National Association of School Psychologists and serves on the editorial boards for Journal of School Psychology, School Psychology, and School Psychology Review.

Educational Background

• Ph.D, School Psychology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 2019
• Certificate, Behavior Analysis, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 2018
• M.Ed., Human Development, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 2015
• B.A., Psychology and Writing, Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 2013

Recent Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, 2022–present
• Consulting and Research Psychologist, Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2021–2022
• Training and Consulting Specialist, Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2020–2021
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2019–2020

Recent Grants

• Zakszeski, B. N. (PI), Layland, E. (Co-PI), & Barnes, T. (Co-PI). “Affirming and Protecting Minoritized Students: The Impact of State Education Policy on Mental Health.” Spencer Foundation, Racial Equity Research Grants Program, 2025–2027. ($75,000)
• Zakszeski, B. (PI). Ginsburg-Block, M. (Co-PI). “School-Based Mental Health Promotion in the First State: Building Capacity with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.” United States Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Safe and Supportive Schools: Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, 2023–2027. ($4,484,242)
• Zakszeski, B. (PI). “Pilot Evaluation of a Targeted Mental Health Intervention for High School Students.” Society for the Study of School Psychology, Early Career Research Awards Program, 2022–2023. ($18,444.40)
• Zakszeski, B. (PI). “Efficacy of a Targeted Intervention for Elementary Students with Internalizing Behaviors.” American Psychological Foundation, John and Polly Sparks Early Career Grant for Psychologists Investigating Serious Emotional Disturbance, 2021–2022. ($19,716.40)

Recent Professional Awards

• Outstanding Reviewer, School Psychology Review, National Association of School Psychologists, 2023
• Honorable Mention, School Psychology Article of the Year, American Psychological Association Division 16, 2022
• Servant Leadership Award, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, 2022
• Early Career Scholar, School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference, Society for the Study of School Psychology, 2021–2022
• Reviewer of the Year, Journal of School Psychology, Society for the Study of School Psychology, 2020
• Paul H. Henkin Memorial Scholarship Award, National Association of School Psychologists, 2020