Erika Charles

Erika Charles serves as the Director of Social Work for Cougar Connections Center of Social Work. Erika received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master of Social Work from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After years of service in the mental health and K-12 educational settings, Erika earned her Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Prior to joining Kean University, Erika Charles provided mental health services to at-risk populations at Rutgers Health, formerly The University of Behavioral Healthcare in residential programming, crisis intervention and stabilization, and school-based youth services. She also worked with Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen in an outpatient treatment setting serving children and families. Erika served on the Traumatic Loss Coalition in support of schools and communities experiences with sudden death by way of mobilizing crisis and providing psychological first aid. Erika served as a lead to school districts in supporting and advocating for at- risk students and families within Intervention and Referral Services, Special Education, 504 Planning, and Transitional Services. Erika has also served to support school districts in restructuring policies and procedures to align with NJ Administrate Codes and best Social Work Practice for students with mental health and substance use needs. Erika is passionate about effecting change on a larger systemic level to ensure social, emotional, and educational needs are met for students and families of all backgrounds.