Ericka King-Betts is all about helping people: teenagers, the elderly, grieving parents, single mothers, unemployed fathers—whoever needs boost toward leading a productive life. In the 15 years of her professional career, she has approached her goal from several angles: as a clinical therapist, teacher, public speaker, and manager of several public agency programs.

Those who know King-Betts describe her as an agent of change. Where there is violence and discord, she seeks ways to achieve harmony. Where people lack the educational or emotional skills to succeed, she seeks practical support. When people have problems that seem insurmountable, she leads them toward solutions.

King-Betts earned an undergraduate degree from Purdue on an athletic scholarship in women’s track and field, followed by a master of science degree from Ohio State and a Ph.D. from Purdue.

During her academic career, she demonstrated her commitment to service and gained valuable expertise as a researcher in a range of family and human development issues. At the same time, she worked as a care facilitator for the Mental Health Access Partnership and as a therapist with the Upward Bound program. Her background also includes teaching for Upward Bound at the University of Cincinnati and in church-related programs, as well as tutoring at Ohio State in English, psychology, and family and ethnic studies.

Since leaving academia, King-Betts has continued to dedicate herself to improving the lives of disadvantaged people. In her current position as director of batterers’ intervention and prevention programs for the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, she has enabled the organization to add staff and expand services—even during the current economic challenges. In her previous role with the Mental Health Access Partnership, she was a clinical coordinator and liaison to 11 Cincinnati mental health organizations.

King-Betts belongs to the Ohio chapter of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Kappa Omicron Nu honorary society.

In Cincinnati, she is a member of the MLK Coalition and has served as co-coordinator of Junior Olympics track events. She has received several awards for her civic efforts, including citizenship awards from Ohio State and Purdue. This year she was named to Purdue’s “40 Under 40” group of young up-and-comers. She has published a number of technical reports and book reviews, and she contributed to Lonnae O’Neal Parker’s book, I’m Every Woman: Remixed Stories of Marriage, Motherhood and Work. She is a popular conference speaker nationwide.

King-Betts has already amassed an impressive record of achievements. But her primary goal remains helping people lead more harmonious and productive lives.