Rohanna Sykes
Rohanna has 20 years of experience in public education, focusing on student mental health and wellness. Prior to joining the Meadows Institute, Rohanna was the Project AWARE State Coordinator at Texas Education Agency where she worked with partner agencies, internal and external stakeholders, Education Service Centers (ESC’s) and Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) to implement initiatives to increase the school mental health infrastructure by providing resources, technical assistance and coaching on facilitation of evidence-based practices for students, families, and educators. In managing implementation of the Project AWARE grant she worked to support LEA’s in their implementation and sustainability planning as well as provided statewide training on the Texas School Mental Health Framework including the elements necessary for a quality school mental health system.
Rohanna started her career as a kindergarten teacher, then became an Elementary School Counselor and High School Related Services Counselor, where she worked with students who experienced the most significant mental, emotional, and behavioral needs. Her passionate pursuit for influencing positive changes in student mental health support and academic achievement in Texas has been highlighted by her being appointed twice by Governor Abbott as the Counselor Representative for the State Board for Educator Certification and serving as Vice Chair of the Board. Rohanna was recognized by Texas Counseling Association by receiving the 2022 John Shirley Advocacy Award and the 2013 Dr. Jamesanna Kirvin Outstanding Counselor Award. In her role at the Institute, Rohanna works collaboratively to build out the statewide strategy to support best practices in school mental health.
Rohanna received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston and her Master’s in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Certified School Counselor. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three children (and a husky). Rohanna’s mission is to promote mental health and wellness awareness, expand statewide access to school and community mental health resources and increase implementation of evidence-based practices to ensure student success. Her life motto is “Live each day with gratitude and joy”.
