Faculty Research

Research Excellence in Service of Our Mission

The Department of Counseling is committed to advancing knowledge and contributing to the profession through meaningful scholarship and research. Counseling faculty continue to produce impactful work that reaches scholars, practitioners, and students in the Metro area, Nebraska, and around the world.

Over the past year, faculty research has been downloaded more than 10,700 times by users from 618 institutions in the United States and 158 countries. This engagement reflects the department’s commitment to our Metro Mission and to addressing important issues that impact individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

2025/2026

Awarded/Extended in 2025

1. Tran, T. S., Kim, I., Chasek, C. L., & Bjornsen-Ramig, A. L. (2024). Increasing School-Based Training Opportunities for Behavioral Health Students. BHECN. UNMC. NE DHHS. $700,032. Principal Investigator.
   
   
2. Kupzyk, S., Weaver, A. D., Kramer, W., Nordess, P., & Tran, T. S. (2023). Building Better Behaviors: An MTSS Framework for Support of Students with Disabilities Who Have High-Intensity Need. U.S. Department of Education, Personnel Preparation Grant. Office of Special Education. $1,250,000 (5 years). Consultant.
   
   
3. Tran, T. S. & Chasek, C. L. (2023). Increasing Mental Health Awareness and Responsiveness in Schools Through Counselor Training of Teachers and School Counselors. Nebraska Educational Service Unit 2. U.S. Department of Education Grant. $1,500,000 (4 years). Sub-contractor. Program Co-coordinator and Consultant.
   
   
4. Tran, T. S. & Rudra, P. K. (2025). Increasing School-Based Training Opportunities for Behavioral Health Students. Grant service date: 07/01/2025-06/30/2026. BHECN. UNMC. NE DHHS. $219,236. Principal Investigator.
   
   
5. Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) ARPA Grant | University of Nebraska Omaha, Counseling Department Principal Investigator: Praveen Kumar Rudra, PhD Co-Investigators: Abby Bjornsen-Ramig, PhD; Christine Chasek, PhD Funding Period: August 1, 2023 – July 30, 2026 Project Description: This grant supports clinical internships for counseling students, providing intensive supervision and opportunities to develop advanced clinical skills. It also funds specialized training in tele behavioral health and suicide intervention, preparing students to deliver high-quality care during their internships and in future practice. (USD $ 500,000)
   
   
6. Tran, T. S. (2025). Course Redesign with Full AI Integration for COUN 8110 Human Development and Psycho-Social Interventions. UNO Division of Innovative and Learning-Centric Initiatives. $2000.
   
   
7. Blount, A. J., Pendyala, G., Moore, T., Bjornsen, A. B., & Schneider, K. S. (2025). NU Collaboration Initiative. Impact of Biopsychosocial Psychotherapy Intervention on Maternal Life-Course Trauma and the Gut Microbiome. $100,000.
   
   
8. Tran, T. S. , Kim, I. (2025). Strengthening Peer Support for Youth Mental Health: Enhancement, Implementation, and Evaluation of the “Trauma-Informed Peer Advocates” Program. Children’s Nebraska. $55,810. Co-Principal Investigator.
   
   
9. Tran, T. S., Kim, I., Chasek, C. L., & Bjornsen-Ramig, A. L. (2025). Increasing School-Based Training Opportunities for Behavioral Health Students (Year 2-3). University of Nebraska Medical 8 Center. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. $475,764. Co-Principal Investigator.
   
   
10. Tran, T. S., Kim, I., Chasek, C. L., & Bjornsen-Ramig, A. L. (2025). Increasing School-Based Training Opportunities for Behavioral Health Students (Year 2). University of Nebraska Medical Center. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. $375,000/$255,990. Co-Principal Investigator.

Submitted 2025/2026

1. Robbins, K., Winter, V., Reay, S., Sariscsany, L., Rudra, P. K., Lloyd, D., Kulig, T., Lakhany, F., Tran, T. S. (2025). InteractED. Weitz Innovation and Excellence Fund. $319,225. Co-Principal Investigator.
   
   
2. Chasek, C., Maxson, T.Z., Robbins, K, Ricks, B, Fritson, K, & Zoucha, K. (under review). Examining Provider Bias and Substance Use Disorders Using Technology-Based Clinical Experiences. NRI collaborative Initiative. $96,997.
   
   
3. Subramanian, R, Chasek, C, Maxson, T.Z., & Hays, M (under review). Evaluating the effectiveness of a photovoice intervention for people with substance use issues. 2026 RDAR Pilot project. $49,402.
   
   
4. Bjornsen, A. and Rudra, P (under review). Counseling Internship Fair: Promoting Belonging, Engagement, and Opportunity. UNO CEHHS Mini-Grant Program ($500).
   
   
5. Blount, A. J., PI., Chasek, T., Bjornsen, A. L., Tran, T. S., Rudra, P., Schneider, K., Moore, B., & Maxon, T. (under review). Expanding Nebraska’s Behavioral Health Workforce Through a Community Counseling Clinic Training Model (CCCTM). Weitz Foundation. $500,000
   
6. Dinkel, D., Bjornsen Ramig, A. Blount, A. J., CO-I (under review). Supporting Student Parents: Enhancing Academic Success, Well-being, and Workforce Development at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). $300,301.86
   
   
7. Schneider, K. S., Blount, A. J., CO-I., Bjornsen, A. L., and Pendyala, G. (under review). Enhancing Therapist Professional Dispositions, Behaviors, and Clinical Skills Through a Community Counseling Clinic Training Model. NU Collaboration Initiative. $100,000
   
   
8. Blount, A. J., Schneider, K. S., Bjornsen, A. L., Rudra, P., Pendyala, G., & Moore, T. (under review). Biopsychosocial Influences on the Gut Microbiome in Women’s Health: Moving Towards Eubiosis. NU Collaboration Initiative. $100,000