Education
- B.S Early Childhood Education, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- M.S. Child Life, Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY
Bio
Janelle Mitchell is a Certified Child Life Specialist committed to advancing the profession through excellence in both education and clinical practice. She holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education. Janelle launched her career at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a nationally ranked pediatric facility, where she gained experience across outpatient, inpatient, clinic, and emergency settings. Alongside her clinical work, she taught as an adjunct instructor in Ohio University’s Child and Family Studies program before moving into a full-time assistant clinical professor role.
Currently, Janelle serves as the undergraduate and graduate Child Life Program Coordinator for Human Development and Family Science. In this role, she oversees academic preparation, provides comprehensive mentoring, and guides students through practicum and internship experiences, supporting their growth both in the community and in hospital settings. Both the undergraduate and graduate Child Life programs under her coordination are endorsed by the Association for Child Life Professionals, reflecting a strong commitment to the highest standards in the field. As the Child Life profession continues to evolve, Janelle remains dedicated to fostering the psychosocial development of children and mentoring the next generation of Child Life Specialists.
Teaching Experience
- CFS 3800/5800 Death, Dying and Bereavement
- CFS 4770/5770 Professional Practices in Child Life
- CFS 4780/5780 Advanced Child Life
- CFS 4785/5785 Medical & Therapeutic Play
- CFS 4920/5920 Child Life Practicum
- CFS 6910 Child Life Internship
- CFS 4610/5610 Dynamics in Parent-Child Relations
- CFS 4760/5780 Children and Family in Health Care Settings
- CFS 4910 Child and Family Studies Internship
- CFS 4930/5930 Independent Study in Child and Family Studies
University/Professional Service
- DSPH Promotion and Tenure Committee August 2024-Present
- University Committee for Scholarship Committee Dec 2022-Present
- DSPH Representative Ohio University Association of Child Life Professionals Jun 2023-Present
- Director Board of Directors Association of Child Life Professionals May 2021-May 2025
- Academic Excellence Taskforce Great Lakes Association for Child Life Professional Aug 2020 - Nov 2022
- Educator-At-Large-E Board Representative Association of Child Life Professionals Oct 2020-Jun 2021
- Transition Task Force CHSP Diversity & Inclusion Committee Mar 2018-Dec 2022
Awards and Honors Department of Social and Public Health
- Ohio University Chair Teaching Excellence Award Recipient
- College of Health Sciences and Professions-Ohio University Innovation Teaching Award Recipient