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Dr. Jody Russon
Dr. Jody Russon
(She/Her) | Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
Since joining Virginia Tech in 2018, my scholarship has been organized around a translational question: how can relationship-centered suicide prevention approaches be adapted so they are sustainable and effective when delivered in the communities where youth live and seek help? I approach this work as a family therapist and implementation scientist. Specifically, my program of research strengthens relational supports for youth experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors and improves how organizations screen, respond, engage families, and coordinate referral pathways across service settings.
I am passionate about graduate education in human development and family science and the opportunity to accompany students as they grow into their professional selves. One of the most meaningful parts of my work is watching our students interweave their personal values, lived experiences, and developing goals with the work they hope to do out in the world. It is a consistent joy to witness our students' transformations over time and to see them emerge as future leaders in our field.
I like to spend my free time having outdoor adventures with my two and a half year old daughter, Celeste. Outside of work, and in addition to listening to psychotherapy podcasts, I enjoy creating mosaics from cut glass. Like practicing therapy with families, this work is driven by both structure and intuition. It requires attention to each glass fragment while also understanding its unique relationship to the larger, cohesive piece.
Information about the DGS role and when/how to contact:
The role of the DGS is to oversee graduate program functions. This includes monitoring graduate program curricula, facilitating admissions, assigning graduate assistantships in accordance with department and faculty needs, maintaining and updating graduate program policies and the graduate handbook (i.e., our grad guide), facilitating the graduate student annual review (GSAR) process in collaboration with the Department Head and faculty body, meeting with the GSA president, serving as the HDFS representative for the Graduate School, and chairing the Graduate Committee which meets regularly throughout the year.
Students’ first point of contact about their plan of study, progress in the program, and questions related to their academic and professional goals should be their faculty advisor. Faculty advisors work closely with students to help them navigate the program in relation to their individual goals, research interests, degree requirements, and professional development. Our faculty are experts in their individual fields of study and have the knowledge and tools to provide you with the guidance you need for your specific academic interests.
Students should contact the DGS when they have questions or concerns that extend beyond the advisor-student relationship or involve broader graduate program policies, procedures, or departmental processes. These may include questions about graduate program requirements, assistantships, academic progress, graduate school policies, petitions or appeals, and/or situations in which students are unsure where to direct a question. Students may also contact the DGS if they need support navigating a concern that has not been resolved through consultation with their advisor or if they would benefit from clarification about departmental or Graduate School expectations. In collaboration with our graduate coordinator (Ms. Marty Wyatt), the DGS is available as a resource to help students understand program expectations, connect students with appropriate supports at the university, and navigate graduate education.
The DGS will have weekly meeting slots available during Fall and Spring semesters for students to ask questions and receive consultation. The DGS is also available via email (jrusson@vt.edu) and phone (Office: 540-231-4235). Please note that I strive to respond to emails within 2-3 business days. For matters requiring a more immediate response, please call my office and leave a voicemail. I return calls within 48 business hours.
Booking Information for DGS Consultation
Bookings Link for Friday DGS Consultation Meetings: Book time with Russon, Jody
Students should contact the DGS when they have questions or concerns that extend beyond the advisor-student relationship or involve broader graduate program policies, procedures, or departmental processes.
At least 24 hours before your scheduled meeting, please email Dr. Russon (jrusson@vt.edu) the following information:
1. Whether you prefer to meet via zoom (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/jrusson) or in-person (Wallace 302A)
2. A detailed description of what you want to discuss in your meeting. This allows me time to prepare so we can use our time together effectivelyIf a meeting description is not received 24 hours in advance of your meeting, the consultation may need to be rescheduled.
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