Kiersten Simon, BA ‘03, MEd. ‘08 CAADC ’09 was recently named Director of Prevention Academy at Saint Joseph’s University, School of Education and Human Development. In this role, Simon will oversee the development and implementation of prevention education for adolescents and school communities throughout Delaware County, PA.
Specializing in adolescent and adult substance use disorders, Simon worked in various clinical settings as Primary Therapist, Site Director, and Clinical Supervisor, treating adolescents, young adults, and families who struggle with substance use. From this lens, Simon recognized the inherent need to focus on prevention of substance use disorder through education, research, and dialogue with adolescents and the adults who care for them.
Simon shifted her professional focus from a clinical capacity to an upstream, public health model of prevention education, becoming a prevention specialist, regional officer and in due course, Executive Director of a global, school-based prevention organization which ultimately served over 2.5 million students in over 70 countries and 41 United States.
Simon earned her MEd at Saint Joseph’s University with an interest in and passion for understanding how humans learn, the family, societal and psychological factors that impact learning and specifically influence decision-making as adolescents grow, learn, and develop into contributing members of society. Simon is thrilled to join the Saint Joe’s community in this capacity, eagerly embracing the opportunity to collaborate with Delaware County schools and the wider county to safeguard the invaluable well-being of our children.
