Dr. Andy Garbacz

Biography

Andy Garbacz is a Professor and Co-Area Chair in the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He obtained his Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and later served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools at the Munroe-Meyer Institute of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Garbacz is a licensed psychologist and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, devoted to enhancing mental health outcomes in educational settings. He is the Co-Director of the School Mental Health Collaborative, where he conducts research that informs policy and practice to promote the social, emotional, and behavioral success of students. His research interests include mental health promotion, optimizing interventions in school and community contexts, and community-engaged research. Dr. Garbacz has developed frameworks and programs aiming to foster partnerships between families and schools, focusing on family wellness and youth development. His work is recognized nationwide, with funding from agencies such as the Institute of Education Sciences and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Research Interests