Rachel Mae Saunders

Dr. Rachel Saunders is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Counseling, responsible for serving as the School Counseling Program track coordinator. She is a 2020 doctoral graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) Counselor Education and Supervision program, a licensed professional school counselor, and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is a former school counselor, with experience working at the middle and high school levels and has also worked with adolescents in the North Carolina juvenile detention setting. As a researcher, her interests focus on the role of school counselors in K-12 education, specifically the impact they can have on students in relation to multicultural acceptance and promoting a culturally-inclusive school environment. She is interested in training school counselors in cultural competence, social justice advocacy, and the implementation of culturally responsive school counseling programs. While completing her doctorate degree, she worked on a team as a Research Assistant that highlighted the experiences of women veterans during their transition into higher education. From K-12 to institutions of higher education, her research centers on ways to help create an affirming, equitable, and inclusive environment for all students.

Doctor of Philosophy: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2020 (Counselor Education and Supervision)

Master of Arts: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2014 (School Counseling)

Bachelor of Science: The College of Brockport 2011 (Psychology)

Peer Reviewed Publications

Foxx, S. P., Saunders, R., & Lewis, C. W. (2020. ) Race, Gender, Class, and Achievement: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Urban School Counseling.Professional School Counseling, , 23 (1 ) ,1 -7More Information

Saunders, R., Lim, J. H., Harris, H. (2021. ) Bended womanhood bended back: The intersection of race, gender, and culture in women veterans of color and their transition into higher education.Journal of Diversity in Higher Education., , More Information

Saunders, R., & Merlin-Knoblich, C. (2021. ) Implementing large-group consultation in comprehensive school counseling programs.Journal for Specialists in Group Work., , More Information

Perry, J., Foxx, S. P., Vazquez, M., Saunders, R., Dameron, M. L., & Bolin, T. (2020. ) School counselor self-efficacy in advocating for self: How prepared are we?.The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision., , More Information

Saunders, R., Foxx, S. P., Bolin, S. T., Prioleau, B., Dameron, M. L., Vazquez, M., & Perry, J. An examination of factors that relate to post graduate career & college readiness self-efficacy of college students .Journal of School Counseling, ,

Foxx, S. P., Saunders, R., Test, D., & Flowers, C. (2022. ) Schools counselors’ perceptions regarding importance of, and ability to implement transition services.Professional School Counseling, , 26 (1 ) ,1-9 More Information

Alvarez, J., Saunders, R., Neubauer, E., & Brown, C. H. (2022. ) School counselors implementing a trauma-informed approach through evidence-based practices. .Professional School Counseling. Special Issue: EBSCC 2021 Conference Proceeding, , More Information

Merlin-Knoblich, C., Mingo, T.M., & Saunders, R. (2021. ) An exploration of school counselor small group work experiences leading diversity dinner dialogues.Journal for Specialists in Group Work. , , More Information

Invited Presentations

Saunders, R. (2022. ) Validation of a school counseling culturally responsive assessment tool .Presented at the Evidence-based School Counseling Conference (EBSCC), Virtual Conference.

Foxx, S. P., Saunders, R., Dameron, M., Vazquez, M., & Harper, S. (2021. ) Culturally responsive school counseling: Preparation leading to action .Presented at the Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Saunders, R., & Foxx, S. P. (2021. ) Evaluating your program for culturally sustaining practices. Presented at the American School Counselor Association Conference (ASCA), Las Vegas, NV.

Saunders, R., Whitworth, C., & Trauth, E. (2021. ) Culturally responsive practices: Assessing your school counseling program .Presented at the All Ohio Counseling Conference (AOCC), Columbus, OH.

Alvarez, J., Saunders, R., & Sinclair, V (2021. ) Effective strategies for counselor educators to help prepare school counselor trainees to work with students with disabilities .Presented at the Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) Conference. , Atlanta, GA.

Professional School Counseling (PSC). Editorial Board Member Type:Editorial Service

Journal of School Counseling (JSC). Editorial Board Member Type:Editorial Service