Jeanne Koller, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, (she,her) is an assistant professor for the School of Social Work at Monmouth University. Over the years Jeanne has taught courses across the curriculum—in the DSW program, advanced MSW clinical specialization and MSW foundation level, and for the undergraduate BSW program. She serves as coordinator for the School of Social Work’s LGBT+ Older Adult Project and is also actively involved with the School of Social Work Professional Education Program’s Certificate in Aging. Jeanne also serves as faculty mentor with Erin Nau, Ph.D., for the student-run Social Work Society.

Jeanne is involved in various activities and programs at Monmouth University including serving on the Urban Coast Institute Faculty Advisory Council, involvement with the Program for Intersectionality Studies as an affiliated faculty member and she will be serving on the Information Technology Committee for the 2023-2024 academic year. In the community, Jeanne currently serves as chair for the VNACJ Community Health Center Board of Trustees, committee member for the CSWE’s Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression, and is on the Alzheimer’s Association NJ Chapter Steering Committee.

Before joining Monmouth, Jeanne was on faculty at the Rutgers School of Social Work. At Rutgers she served as coordinator for the MSW Aging & Health Certificate and for the Programs on Aging. Prior to her work in academia Jeanne had over 26 years of clinical social work practice experience specializing in grief and loss, depression, relational issues, aging, and issues related to the LGBT+ community. During her years of practice, she also served as a “substance abuse professional” for Employee Assistance Programs. Finally, Jeanne also provided interventions after sudden traumatic events.

Education

Ph.D., Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of NJ

MSW, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, University of New York

BBA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Research Interests

Aging

LGBT+ aging

Grief & Loss

Books

McCoyd, J.L.M, Koller, J.M., & Walter, C.A. (2021). Grief and loss across the lifespan, 3rd edition. Springer. 

Scholarly Articles

Cummings, C., Dunkle, J., Koller, J.M., Lewis, J., & Mooney, L. (2021), Social work students and COVID-19: Impact across life domains. Journal of Social Work Education.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2021.1974992

Koller, J.M., Hutchings, B.L., & Zabotka, J. (2021). Older adult residents in cohousing communities: Impact and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Aging and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1080/26892618.2021.1987371

Koller, J.M., Hutchings, B.L., & Zabotka, J. (2023). Older adult residents in cohousing communities: Impact and response to the COVID-19 pandemic Part 2 (P2) follow-up study. Journal of Aging and Environment, 1-19.https://doi.org/10.1080/26892618.2022.2161031

Popular Articles

Koller, J. & McCallum, C. (2021, July). Your NASW-NJ units- what you need to know. NJ Focus, NASW-NJ, 31(1), 30-31.

Koller, J. (2018). Radical age: A new vision of aging. New Jersey Foundation for Aging Renaissance Magazine, 25(3), 14-15. 

Koller, J. (2018, September 21). LGBT+ older adults: At risk for inadequate support and social isolation.American Society on Aging, AgeBlog. 

Presentations/Invited Talks

“Aging in the LGBT+ Community”, Monmouth University School of Nursing, February 22, 2023 (Zoom)

Moderator for discussion after film screening- From this Day Forward, February 10, 2023, Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University.

“LGBT+ Older Adults; Cultural Sensitivity Training”, Area Agency on Aging of the Panhandle, Texas, February 2, 2023 (Zoom)

“The Age of Aging”, “Equity and Justice for All”, and “Closing Address”: Keynote Speaker presentations, Family & Children’s Services of Monmouth County NJ, The Age of Aging Conference, September 21, 2022 (In-person event at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ).

“Healthcare and Aging in America: An Overview”, 68^th International Student Conference (ISC 68), July 30, 2022 (Zoom)

“LGBT+ Clients: Providing Culturally Sensitive Clinical Social Work Services”, RWJ Barnabas Pollak Clinic, March 28, 2022 (Zoom)

“LGBT+ Clients: Providing Culturally Sensitive Services”, RWJ Barnabas Pollak Clinic, March 21, 2022 (Zoom)

“Aging in the LGBT+ Community”, Monmouth University School of Nursing, March 9, 2022 (Zoom)

“Aging and the Experiences of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Adults” coordinator and co-moderator of conference, January 29, 2022 (Zoom)

“Aging in America: An Overview”, Monmouth University School of Social Work Professional Education Program (PEP), West Long Branch, NJ, December 2, 2021 (Zoom)

“Intergenerational Partnerships with Universities: Advancing Age Inclusivity in Higher Education,” Monmouth University School of Social Work Alumni Lecture, November 15, 2021 (Zoom)

“LGBT+ Aging Cultural Sensitivity Training: The Basics”, Middlesex County Division on Aging, October 20, 2021 (Zoom)

“Clinical work with LGBT+ Older Adults: The Importance of Cultural Humility and Inclusive Services”, NASW-NJ, August 18, 2021 (online webinar)

“LGBT+ Older Adults”, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, July 14, 2021 (Zoom interview conducted by Gabriella Grinwald-Alves)

“Managing COVID-19 Stressors: Building Resiliency and Striving for Wellness”, Glen Eagle Advisors, Freehold, NJ, May 25, 2021 (online webinar)

“Social Work Students and COVID-19: Impact across Life Domains”, The 2021 7^th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference, Removing Barriers and Expanding Borders through Social Work Distance Education, Our Lady of the Lake University Worden School of Social Science, national event (panelist), April 14, 2021 (online webinar)

“Looking Back at 2020 and Moving Forward in 2021: Social Work’s Crucial Role in Advocating for Social Justice and Human Rights”, NASW-NJ Monmouth/Ocean event, January 21, 2021 (Zoom)

Ethics and Special Considerations when Working with Older Adults or their Caregivers, Monmouth University School of Social Work Professional Education Program (PEP), West Long Branch, NJ, October 12, 2020 (online)

Defying Ageism: Finding your Passion & Purpose, Glen Eagle Advisors, Freehold, NJ, September 15, 2020 (online)

LGBT+ Older Adults: Best Practices for Providing Culturally Sensitive Services & Supports, Rutgers University SSW Continuing Education, New Brunswick, NJ, February 28, 2020

Forthcoming

Koller, J.M. (forthcoming). Chapter 4: The psychological person, cognition, emotion, and self. In E.D. Hutchison (Ed.) Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment, 7^th Edition. Sage Publications.

Koller, J.M. & Urbanski, P. (in progress). Aging and the lived experiences of transgender and gender non-binary adults: An exploratory study.

Mooney, L., Bobadilla, T., Cummings, C., Dunkle, J., & Koller, J.M. (in progress). Perceptions of social work students and faculty/staff about online learning and field education.

Professional Associations

National Association of Social Workers (NASW), NASW-NJ Monmouth/Ocean Chapter, Chair

American Society for Aging (ASA)

Gerontological Society on Aging (GSA)

Awards

Most Supportive Professor Award, 2018, 2019, Rutgers, The State University of NJ, School of Social Work