Michele Patak-Pietrafesa, MSW, PhD is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill where she teaches graduate level courses on research and direct practice and coordinates practicum placements for students specializing in school social work.
Teaching/Training: Michele also presents trainings and workshops on topics such as anti-racist practice; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in education and social work practice; evidence-based practice; and the use of data as a tool for empowerment and advocacy. She has been a recipient of the UNC-CH School of Social Work Excellence in Teaching Award and the OSU College of Social Work Doctoral Student Excellent in Teaching Award.
Research Interests: Michele’s work in under-resourced public schools fueled her passion for empowering individuals with intersecting marginalized identities (mainly BIPOC communities and those with dis/abilities) and challenging the systems that perpetuate their oppression. As such, her research focuses on understanding how bias and stereotypes impact teaching practices, decision making, and service provision within youth-serving organizations and how microaggressions by teachers and service providers impact the trajectories of BIPOC youth and youth with disabilities.
Experience: Michele has over 12 years of post MSW clinical and macro practice experience across various contexts including community based mental health, school social work, private practice, and research, and has held various leadership roles in state, regional, and national school social work organizations.
Degrees and Licenses
Ph.D., Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
MSW, Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
BA Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo New York
Primary Program
Office of Practicum Education
Certifications
Social Work Training Supervision Designation (LE-00018815, Ohio), 2015 - 2021
Licensed Independent Social Worker (I.1303088 - Ohio), 2013-2021
Certified Telebehavioral Health Practitioner (Telebehavioral Health Institute, Inc.), 2017 - 2021
Licensed School Social Worker, Ohio Department of Education (OH3175794), 2013 - 2018
Licensed Social Worker (S.1100088, Ohio), 2011 - 2013
Research and Professional Interests
Racial and Disability Equity in K-12 Education
Inclusive Classrooms & Special Education Services for youth with Neurodiverse Youth
Academic Achievement Gaps & School Discipline Disparities
Implicit & Explicit Bias in Education
Intergroup Relations & Intergroup Dialogue
Recent Publications
Yousefi Nooraie, R., Warren, K., Juckett, L. A., Cao, Q. A., Bunger, A., Patak-Pietrafesa, M. (2021). Individual- and group-level network-building interventions to address social isolation and loneliness: A scoping review with implications for COVID19. PLoS ONE, 16(6): e0253734. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.023734
Bowen, N. K., Lucio, R., Patak-Pietrafesa, M., & Bowen, G. L. (2020). The SSP 2020: The Revised School Success Profile. Children and Schools, 42(1), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdz025
Patak-Pietrafesa, M., Stewart, A.E., Bowen, N.K., & Kelly, M. (2019). Too hard to find with too little time: What school social workers want in resources about evidence-based practice. International Journal of School Social Work, 4(1), 14-37. https://doi.org/10.4148/2161-4148.1043
Kagotho, N., Salim, N.N., Patak-Pietrafesa, M., & Kyriakaki, S. (2019). Inheriting the family farm: Generational wealth transfers in rural Kenya. Development Policy Review, 00, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12457
Kagotho, N., Patak-Pietrafesa, M., Ssewamala, F. M., & Kirkbride, G. (2018). Assessing the association between depression and savings for Kenyan youth using a validated child depression inventory measure. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), S21-S28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.002
Presentations, Workshops and Media
Diversity Series: Developing professional anti-racist practices in the workplace. Invited online presentation at Union Institute & University, August 11, 2020.
School Social Work Briefs: Bringing research to the front lines. Panel presentation at the Annual School Social Work Association of America Conference – Inaugural School Social Work Special Interest Group Research Forum, Columbus, OH, March 2018.
Evidence based practices in school social work: From assessment to selecting interventions to evaluation. Columbus City Schools, Columbus, OH, October 20, 2017.
Advocacy as a State of Mind: A Multi-Tiered Philosophy for the School Social Worker. Ohio School Social Work Association (OSSWA) Annual Leadership & Planning Retreat, Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH, August 2017.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan: How myths, ignorance and un-intentional bias are robbing our students of their potential. Ohio School Social Work Association (OSSWA) Annual Conference, Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH, February 18, 2016.
Courses
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SOWO 740
Implementing Evidence-Informed Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
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Spring
MSW; DP
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SOWO 510
Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice and Program Evaluation
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Spring
MSW; Generalist
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SOWO 523 & 524
Generalist Field Seminar I & II
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Fall & Spring
MSW; Generalist
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