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School of Education, Counseling and Human Development

Amber Letcher

Amber Letcher

Title

Professor and SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Office Building

Wenona Hall

Office

314

Mailing Address

Wenona Hall 314
Counseling and Human Development-Box 0507
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Social Media Links

Education

  • Ph.D. | Ohio State University | 2012
  • M.S. | Ohio State University | 2008
  • B.S. | South Dakota State University | 2005

Academic Interests

  • Adolescent development
  • Social-emotional learning
  • Substance use
  • Rural wellness

Extension Responsibilities

  • Associate Professor
  • SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Awards and Honors

  • Excellence in Outreach and Engagement, SDSU, 2019
  • Outstanding Researcher, College of EHS, 2016
  • Students' Association Teacher of the Year, College of EHS, 2016
  • Top 50 Reviewer for Family Relations, 2015-2018
  • Outstanding Junior Faculty Researcher, College of EHS, 2015
  • Graduate Student Researcher of the Year ($500 Honorarium), 20110-2012
  • College of Education and Human Ecology Graduate Dissertation Research Fellowship, 2010-2011
  • Alumni Grants for Graduate Research Scholarship ($2,000), 20100-2011

Grants

  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Hoffman, M. (2020). Strengthening the heartland: Empowering rural communities to prevent opioid misuse. Rural Health and Safety Education, USDA-NIFA. $392,171. Role: PI.
  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Hoffman, M. (2020). Strengthening the heartland: Supporting empathic rural opioid response. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, $1,081,644. Role: PI.
  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Scott, M. (2019). Strengthening the heartland: Promoting life readiness in rural youth. Children, Youth and Families at Risk, USDA-NIFA. $1,218,859. Role: PI.
  • Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Letcher, A. (2019). Strengthening the Heartland: Urban opioid programming. South Dakota Department of Social Services, $63,373. Role: Co-I.
  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Scott, M. (2018). Expanding the homestead: Technical assistance for preventing opioid mis-use in the Dakotas. SAMHSA, $563,825. Role: PI.
  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Scott, M. (2018). Protecting the homestead: Opioid mis-use prevention in the Dakotas. Rural Health and Safety Education, USDA-NIFA. $319,026. Role: PI.
  • Letcher, A., Ramsay-Seaner, K. & Scott, M. (2018). STEPping UP: Social-emotional learning for rural middle school youth. North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. $21,765. Role: PI.
  • Letcher, A., Born, S. & Ramsay-Seaner, K. (2017). Craving to quit: Tobacco cessation program. South Dakota Board of Health. $8,000. Role: PI. Funded.
  • Welsh, J. A., Daniels, A. M., Chilenski, S. & Letcher, A. (2016). Feasibility of the Tribal REDI program. Annie E. Casey Foundation. $150,000. Role: Co-I. Funded.
  • Letcher, A. (2015). National mentoring program 6: Reaching rural families in South Dakota. National 4-H Council. OJJDP. $57, 960. Role: PI.
  • Bruns, K. & Letcher, A. (2015). Use of the Interactive Screening Program. Education and Human Sciences Fund. SDSU. $5,625. Role: Co-I.
  • Letcher, A. (2014). Student immersion in evaluation research: Outreach to community organizations. Scholarly Excellence Fund. SDSU. $1,000. Role: PI.
  • Bjornestad, A. & Letcher, A. (2014). Called to serve: A women's wellness series. Women & Giving Program. SDSU. $1,500. Role: Co-I.
  • Letcher, A. (2013). Exploration of sexuality education in rural South Dakota. Scholarly Excellence Fund. SDSU. $4,902.50. Role: PI.
  • Kang, S. & Letcher, A. (2013). Does my marital relationship matter to my daughter?: Intergenerational transmission of relationship quality between mothers and daughters. Women and Giving Program. SDSU. $2,000. Role: Co-I.
  • Letcher, A. (2013). Dating practices of rural youth. Research and Scholarship Support Fund. $2,500. Role: PI.

Department(s)

Related Links

Strengthening the Heartland