Understanding Student Well-Being — A Conversation with Dr. Sungah Kim, Ph.D

November 2, 2025 by Emily Kim

Interview Date: Sunday, September 14th, 5:00 PM CST

In the first episode of the SAGE Podcast Series, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Sungah Kim, the Director of Assessment and Experiential Learning at the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 25 years of teaching and research experience in higher education and more than two decades of counseling practice, Dr. Kim brings a rare combination of scholarly expertise and compassionate understanding to her work.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Kim emphasized that mental health is not just an individual concern—it’s a foundation for learning and success. She shared how her career in educational psychology and counseling has helped her understand the link between emotional well-being and academic achievement, especially among college students navigating pressure, change, and uncertainty.

When discussing mental health in education, Dr. Kim highlighted that academic stress, social pressures, and self-expectations often lead students to neglect their psychological well-being. She urged students to recognize early warning signs and seek support before reaching a breaking point. “Maintaining your mental health isn’t a weakness—it’s an essential part of learning,” she noted.

Dr. Kim also addressed the common misconceptions about therapy and mental health resources, explaining that help can take many forms beyond traditional counseling—such as peer support, campus workshops, or online wellness programs. She encouraged students to approach friends with empathy when recommending help, stressing that “small, compassionate conversations can make a big difference.”

Her research into the mental health of college freshmen revealed patterns educators should pay close attention to: high academic expectations, poor sleep habits, and difficulty adjusting to independence. She reminded students that while ambition is admirable, “no grade is worth losing your sense of self.”

Dr. Kim closed the discussion with a reminder that data-driven insights can guide better mental health policies in higher education, but the real change begins with awareness and empathy at the individual level. Her final message to students was simple yet powerful:

“Your mental health is part of your education. Treat it with the same care, time, and dedication you give to your studies.”