Ashley Munger, PhD, Associate Professor

Picture of Ashley Munger
Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services
Department of Child and Family Studies
Office ETA534

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

My overarching goal in teaching and mentoring is student success – not just in terms of grades, but in terms of students being strong thinkers and writers who are prepared to reach their goals. My goal is to create a positive classroom climate that maximally supports student success through relationship building, having high expectations and supporting students to meet those expectations, and using student engagement techniques. 

COURSES TAUGHT

CHDV3440 - Family Resource and Case Management
CHDV3750 - Health Disparities in Urban Communities
CHDV4960 - Senior Seminar
CHDV5000 - Advanced Developmental Science

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research occurs in the nexus of family relationships, economic hardship, health, and education. My specific research areas include food insecurity, family-centered health interventions, and programming to promote success in higher education. The use of mobile technology in the delivery of interventions has also been a focus. 

PUBLICATIONS

  • Munger, A., Speirs, K., Grutzmacher, S., & Edwards, M. (accepted). Social service providers’ perceptions of older adults’ food access during COVID-19. Journal of Aging and Social Policy.
  • Speirs, K., Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., & Ottusch, T. (2023). How do U.S. colleges and universities help students address basic needs? A national inventory of resources for food and housing insecurity. Educational Researcher, 52(1), 16–28.
  • Munger, A., Thomas, T., McAdams, M., & Nynka, A. (2021). Physical & Digital Spaces: The intersection of campus climate and technology. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. Advance online publication.
  • Munger, A., Grutzmacher, S., & Rockler, B. (2021). Vulnerabilities to food insecurity: Interconnected risks and assets for coping among low-income men. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. 
  • Ellis, E., Simon-Cereijido, G., Kublanza, M., Munger, A., & Fuligni, A. (2020). Interprofessional collaboration to promote culturally engaged and strengths-based practice. Perspectives, SIG 2, 5(6), 1410-1421.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Messina, L., & Downes, K. (2019). Screening for health literacy among SNAP-eligible adults: The Newest Vital Sign and implications for Nutrition Facts Label policy and education. Journal of Environmental Health and Nutrition, 15(3), 339-352. 
  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Speirs, K., Vafai, Y., Hilberg, E., Braunscheidel Duru, E., Worthington, L., & Lachenmayr, L. (2019). Predicting attrition in a text-based nutrition education program: A survival analysis of Text2BHealthy. JMIR mhealth uhealth, 7(1), e9967.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Braunscheidel Duru, E., Speirs, K., Worthington, L., Munger, A., & Lachenmayr, L. (2018). Using text messages to engage parents in school-based nutrition education. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 13(3), 335-339.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Speirs, K., Zemeir, L., Richard, K., & Worthington, L. (2017). Feasibility of bidirectional text messages in evaluating a text-based nutrition education program for low-income parents: Results from the Text2BHealthy program. Evaluation and Program Planning, 64, 90-94.
  • Song, H., Grutzmacher, S., & Munger, A. (2016). Project ReFresh: Testing the efficacy of a school-based classroom and cafeteria intervention to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary school children. Journal of School Health, 86, 543-551.
  • Munger, A., Hofferth, S., & Grutzmacher, S. (2016). Food insecurity, maternal depression, and the role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 11(2), 162-180.
  • Davis, B., Grutzmacher, S., & Munger, A. (2016). Utilization of social support among food insecure individuals: A qualitative examination of network strategies and appraisals. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 11(2), 147-161.
  • Speirs, K., Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., & Messina, L. (2016). Recruitment and retention in an SMS-based health education program: Lessons learned from Text2BHealthy. Journal of Health Informatics, 22(3), 651-658.
  • Munger, A., Stevenson, T., Speirs, K., Riera, K., & Grutzmacher, S. (2015). More than just not enough: Undocumented Latino immigrants’ experiences of food insecurity. Journal of Minority and Immigrant Health,17(5), 1548-1556.
  • Speirs, K., Messina, L., Munger, A., & Grutzmacher, S. (2012). Health literacy and nutrition behaviors among low-income adults. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23(3),1082-1091. 
  • Grutzmacher, S., Gross, S., & Munger, A. (2012). Food insecurity and vegetable consumption. In C. Wilson, & M. Morree (Eds.), Vegetable consumption and health: New research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Publishers.
      

REFEREED WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

Workshops

  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Worthington, L., Braunscheidel, E. (2017, May). Incorporating text messages into health education and health promotion programs. Workshop conducted at the National Health Outreach Conference.
  • Bartis, S., McAdams, M., Munger, A., Bhagat, K. (2015, May). Technology: Fostering belonging or alienation among underrepresented students? Workshop conducted at the Lilly International Conference on Evidenced-Based Teaching and Learning, Bethesda, Maryland.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., & Davis, B. (2013, November). Utilizing text messages in health education. Learning Institute (3 hours) conducted at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Boston, MA.
  • Speirs, K., Munger, A., & Grutzmacher, S. (2012, April). Using Focus Groups to Develop a Text Message-Based Nutrition Education Program. Workshop conducted at the Priester Extension Health Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Speirs, K., & Munger, A. (2012, April). Text2BHealthy: Development of a text message-based health promotion program.  Workshop conducted at the Priester Extension Health Conference, Washington, D.C.

Presentations

  • Munger, A., Speirs, K., Edwards, M. & Grutzmacher, S.K. (2022, November). Case workers' strategies and recommendations for supporting older adult food security. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
  • Munger, A., Speirs, K., Edwards, M. & Grutzmacher, S.K. (2022, May). Case worker's perceptions of older adults' food access during COVID-19: A qualitative examination. Poster to be presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
  • Munger, A., Speirs, K., Ottusch, T., & Grutzmacher, S.K. (2021, November). A conceptual framework to categorize college and university resources to address student food, housing, and basic needs insecurity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
  • Munger, A., Grutzmacher, S., Speirs, K., Ottusch, T. (2020, November). Variations in institutional strategies to address college student food insecurity by institution type and student characteristics. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
  • Quiroz, K., Munger, A., Ellis, E., Ramos, J., Ledesma, R. (2020, November). ECHO interdisciplinary student training program: Insights and experiences of a student intern. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Crespo-Bellido, M., Rockler, B., Munger, A., Kraemer, L., Gwin, L. (2019, November). Perceptions of severity of food insecurity among undocumented Latinx food system workers in Oregon. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Speirs, K., Grutzmacher, S., Ottusch, T., & Munger, A. (2019, June). U.S. college and university responses to student food insecurity: A national inventory of strategies. Poster presented at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Munger, A., Rockler, B., Grutzmacher, S. (2018, November). Gaps in the social safety net: Experiences of food insecurity among low-income men. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, San Diego, CA.
  • Munger, A. & Grutzmacher, S. (2018, June). Vulnerabilities to food insecurity faced by low-income men. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Finkbeiner, N., Speirs, K., Zemier, L., Worthington, L., Braunscheidel-Duru, E. (2016, November). Text2Bhealthy: An outcome evaluation for a targeted, text message-based nutrition education program for low-income parents. Paper presented to the 2016 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Denver, CO.
  • Munger, A. & Hofferth, S. (2015, November). Community Violence Exposure and Children’s Externalizing Behavior Problems: The Role of Harsh Parenting. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Council of Family Relations, Vancouver, Canada.
  • Munger, A. & Grutzmacher, S. (2015, November). The relationships among income, social capital, and food insecurity. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the National Council of Family Relations, Vancouver, Canada.
  • Vafai, Y., Munger, A., Grutzmacher, S., Downes, K…Lachenmayr, L. (2015, November). Retaining participant in s text-message health promotion program: A survival analysis of dose and message content. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Chicago, IL.
  • Grutzmacher, S., Zemeir, L., Worthington, L., Braunscheidel, E., Munger, A., Finkbeiner, N., Lachenmayr, L. (2015, November).  Using text-messages for real-time evaluation in health programming: Increasing response rates through reminder texts. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Chicago, IL.
  • Munger, A. & Hofferth, S. (2015, April). The relationship between mothers’ community violence exposure and depression. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America, San Diego, CA.
  • Munger, A. & Hofferth, S. (2015, March). The relationship between mothers’ exposure to violence and children’s externalizing behavior problems. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Philadephia, PA.
  • Munger, A., Stevenson, T., Speirs, K., Riera, K., & Grutzmacher, S. (2014, July). The experience of food insecurity among undocumented Latino immigrants. Poster presented at the Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools (HSHPS) Professional Development Conference, Bethesda, MD.
  • Stevenson, T., Speirs, K., Riera, K., Munger, A., & Grutzmacher, S. (2012, November). More than just not enough: Low-income Latino immigrants’ experiences of food insecurity. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The National Council of Family Relations, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Worthington, L., Braunscheidel, E., Lachenmayr, L., Grutzmacher, S., Speirs, K., DiBari, J., Messina, L., & Munger, A. (2012, September).  Text2BHealthy: A pilot nutrition texting program targeting parents of school-aged children. Paper presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Food and Nutrition Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Munger, A., Stevenson, T., & Grutzmacher, S. (2011, November). Access to culturally preferred foods: A meaningful part of the experience of food insecurity for low-income Latino immigrants. Roundtable discussion presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.
  • Stevenson, T., Munger, A., & Grutzmacher, S. (2011, November). Making ends meet without a public safety net: Experiences of food insecurity among undocumented Latino immigrants. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.
  • Eberhart (Munger), A., & Horton, J. (2009, March). The relationship between collaborative rule development and vertical communication in parent-adolescent relationships. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Homan, K. J., Duffy, K., & Eberhart, A. (2009, March). Compulsive exercise and dieting: Shared risk factors. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Eberhart, A., Ward, D., & Grice, J. (2009, February). The role of social identity in the development of vocational identity. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology.
  • Eberhart, A., Gomola, J., Easton, S., & Pennel, J. (2008, March). The influence of parental warmth and demandingness on college adjustment in freshmen. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
     

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Ph.D. Family Science 2015

  • University of Maryland
    School of Public Health
    College Park, MD

M.S. Couple and Family Therapy 2011

  • University of Maryland
    School of Public Health
    College Park, MD

B.A. Psychology 2009

  • Grove City College
    Grove City, PA