Ruling Our Experiences (ROX)

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Model & Strategy

Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) delivers evidence-based programming, conducts large-scale innovative research and educates the community on the critical issues impacting girls.

Emerging from a 2006-2011 faculty research study at The Ohio State University, ROX trains and licenses professional school counselors, social workers, and educators to implement a 20-week evidence-based empowerment program in schools with girls in grades 5-12. ROX further conducts nationally-recognized research on all issues impacting girls and has established a center to use that research to educate teachers, parents, coaches, and anyone interested in the well-being of girls. ROX’s mission is to create generations of confident girls who are in control of their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures.

At a Glance
Founded: 2011
Founder & CEO: Dr. Lisa Hinkelman
Education
Location of work: Midwest
http://www.rulingourexperiences.org
Ruling Our Experiences (ROX)
Columbus, Ohio
The national leader on programming, research and education focused on girls.
Young black girl stands with her back to the camera wearing an inspiring t-shirt with a message that
Meet Dr. Lisa Hinkelman

After years of developing expertise in the fields of clinical and school counseling and aggressively researching the experiences of girls as a tenure track professor at The Ohio State University, Dr. Lisa Hinkelman decided to exit academia to chart her own course. Lisa was committed to translating the findings of her research into meaningful action and she knew that ROX would never reach its full potential if it remained her faculty research study. With an innovative vision, an eager board and a frugal budget, Lisa incorporated ROX as its own nonprofit organization in 2011.  Since that time, ROX has grown from a local program to a national organization making a substantial impact on the lives of thousands of girls and their families each year.

Lisa’s research was published by Corwin Press in the award-winning book Girls Without Limits: Helping Girls Achieve Healthy Relationships, Academic Success and Interpersonal Strength in 2013. Girls Without Limits is currently being utilized by parents, educators, helping professionals, and University professors across the country. Lisa was most recently honored as a Nominated Changemaker for The White House United State of Women and has been recognized as one of Columbus Business First’s Top 40 Under 40.

IMPACT

ROX currently operates programs in more than 350 schools and community organizations throughout the United States, partnering with public, private, independent, charter and parochial schools in urban, suburban and rural communities.

In 2017, ROX published The Girls’ Index: New Insights Into the Complex World of Today’s Girls, the first-ever, large-scale national survey of 10,678 girls across the country designed to develop a deeper understanding of the thoughts, experiences, perceptions, beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of teen girls throughout the United States. The Girls’ Index will be replicated every 5 years with publication slated for 2022 featuring data from 20,000+ girls.

In November 2019, ROX launched the world’s first multidisciplinary institute designed to address the complex needs of today’s girls by connecting research to practice in tangible and actionable ways. To support those working on the frontlines with girls, we provide resources and in-person and virtual training, including continuing education for licensed professionals, interactive workshops for parents and mentors and professional development for school-based personnel.

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