Krissy RAY-BENNETT

Assistant Clinical Lecturer of Social Work

Phone:765-285-8354

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Room:HB 515

Education

MSW, Indiana University
BA, Behavioral Sciences, Purdue University

Licensure

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Kristina Ray-Bennett is an Assistant Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at Ball State University and a PhD candidate at Indiana University School of Social Work. Her teaching and scholarship focus on school-based mental health, trauma-informed practice, resilience, and translating applied educational neuroscience into practical, equity-centered social work strategies in schools and communities. Her dissertation examines social connectedness as a social determinant of education, using applied educational neuroscience to understand how relationships, belonging, and supportive environments shape student functioning and outcomes. She is particularly interested in how evidence-informed systems strengthen prevention, early intervention, and coordinated supports for children and adolescents. She previously served as project manager for a large federally funded U.S. Department of Education grant at Indiana University focused on building school-based mental health workforce capacity; this work continues through a locally led initiative supported by private funding. Professor Ray-Bennett teaches BSW and MSW courses.