Rachel Mae Saunders

Dr. Rachel Saunders (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Counseling, responsible for serving as the track coordinator for the School Counseling Program. Licensed as a school counselor in the state of Ohio and North Carolina, she is also a Nationally Certified Counselor.

She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), her M.A. in School Counseling from UNCC as well, and her B.S in Psychology from SUNY Brockport in Upstate, NY. Dr. Saunders is a former middle and high school counselor, with additional experience working with adolescents in the North Carolina juvenile detention setting.

Her clinical and research interests have focused on the role of school counselors promoting a culturally inclusive school environment and acting as agents of change within the systems of education through advocacy and leadership. This includes research on training school counselors in multicultural competence and the implementation of culturally responsive school counseling programming through a lens of social justice and trauma-informed care. She also engages in scholarship related to student equity in higher education. From K-12 schools to institutions of higher education, she is interested in researching ways to create an affirming and inclusive setting for all.

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. (2020). 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