OU counseling department chair helps raise awareness of issues surrounding death, grief and loss

Dr. Jennifer Matthews, a leader in the field of death education and counseling, was recently named chair of OU's Department of Counseling, becoming the first African American to serve in that role.

Throughout her career, Dr. Jennifer Matthews has contributed to the understanding of universal, often taboo issues surrounding death, grief and loss.

Matthews, associate professor and chair of OU's Department of Counseling, currently serves as vice president of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), an international organization whose mission is to promote excellence and recognize diversity in death education, care of the dying, grief counseling and research on death-related issues.

She decided to join the organization after finding it online in the midst of her own grief journey, following her father's death.

"I wanted to connect with professional organizations that provided training beyond the master's level related to grief and loss," she said. "I attended my first ADEC conference in 2015 and from that point it became a professional home for me."

Prior to her role as ADEC's vice president, Matthews served on subcommittees dedicated to multicultural issues, students and new professionals, and was nominated to serve on the organization's board. She has been elected vice president twice, having first served in the position from 2019 to 2020. She will serve as ADEC's president for the 2025-26 year.

As a member of ADEC's executive leadership, Matthews has supported the organization's mission, helping plan half-day workshops, as well as its annual conference, an international gathering of nurses, funeral directors, counselors, social workers and other professionals. She has been a frequent speaker at the conference, presenting her research on grief content in accredited counselor education programs and also help-seeking behaviors of African Americans in response to bereavement.

"I published a qualitative study where I interviewed Black individuals to get a better understanding of the coping strategies and sources of support utilized when experiencing a death loss," Matthews shared.

Study participants reported seeking social support from friends, family and churches, as well as professional counseling services.

"That was an important finding because there's been a lot of discussion about stigma related to mental health services in the African American community and that is shifting," noted Matthews. "People are more open to engaging in counseling and that's also been reflected in the Black community."

Matthews shares her expertise with students by teaching courses on grief and loss, multicultural and social justice issues in counseling, and practicums at the master's and doctoral levels. Last August, she was appointed chair of OU's Department of Counseling, becoming the first African American to serve in that role.

"Dr. Matthews has been an outstanding leader, advocate and role model throughout her 10 years of service to Oakland University," said Glenn McIntosh, OU's senior vice president for Student Affairs and chief diversity officer. "Her appointment as chair of the Department of Counseling is an exciting milestone for OU and for students and faculty, who will continue to benefit from her collaborative, inclusive vision and tireless service to others.

Matthews said she feels a sense of pride that there is representation for students who are underrepresented in the department.

"I've had students come to me over the years and say how powerful it is for them to have professors that look like them," she said. "I try to bring my experience and identity as a Black woman into that space and share the implications it has for counseling."

Complementing her work with OU and ADEC, Matthews also maintains a private counseling practice where she sees clients individually and leads a monthly grief support group for adults.

"I'm a clinician at heart," she said. "I like to constantly engage in clinical work as it informs the teaching and research I do."

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