Zeynep Sarlak
Visiting Assistant Director of Student Wellness
Email:
About
Zeynep Sarlak holds a BA in Economics and an MA in Political Science and International Relations from Bogazici University in Istanbul, an MA in Comparative Politics from Sciences Po in Paris, and a PhD in Area Studies from Leiden University in the Netherlands. After many years working in higher education, policy research, teaching, and academic publishing, she transitioned into social work and mental health, earning her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at UIC.
She currently serves as Visiting Assistant Director of Student Wellness in the College of Education, where she provides trauma-informed and culturally responsive support to diverse student populations through individual student support, workshops, and wellness programming, and collaboration with faculty and staff on mental health and student well-being initiatives. She is also developing a new course on the science behind well-being and happiness.