Amber Letcher

Education

Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2012
M.S., The Ohio State University, 2008
B.S., South Dakota State University, 2005

Academic Interests

Adolescent Development, Social-Emotional Learning, Substance Use, Rural Wellness

Extension Responsibilities

Amber Letcher supports the citizens of South Dakota in her role as an Associate Professor & SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist at the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings.

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), 2011 – 2012

College of Education and Human Ecology Graduate Dissertation Research Fellowship, 2010-2011

Alumni Grants for Graduate Research Scholarship ($2,000), 2010 – 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.

Creative Activities

LaunchSkills, Life Readiness Curriculum
Careers in a Box, Career Exploration Tool