Atiya R. Smith

Biography

Atiya R. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hood College (’03), a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Baltimore, and will receive a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Rochester. She is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland.

Her research examines various aspects of the P-20 education pipeline – the path from P-12 education (pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school) through higher education (undergraduate and graduate programs) – that not only shapes student experiences, behavior, performance, and their overall psychological well-being, but also impacts persistence, retention, and attrition rates. More specifically, she examines:

• The experiences of women of color attending PWIs and the coping strategies used to navigate barriers to their success
• Factors that shape (college) freshmen retention rates 
• Internal factors, such as hope, that shape both student behaviors and their overall experiences
• Factors that shape postsecondary transitions for students with disabilities
• Best practices for supporting students with disabilities in P-12 settings

She also has an interest in identity development, the mind-body connection, race-based traumatic stress, and anxiety disorders. 

Her professional interests include: assessment & appraisal in counseling, professional identity development in rising counselors, ethics and professional standards in counseling, integrating expressive arts into counseling practice, counseling underrepresented populations, special education, and the application of mental health services in schools, colleges, and universities. 

Currently, she is the chair of the Research Interest Network for the North Atlantic Region’s Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES) and a Directorate member for the American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) Commission for Academic Support in Higher Education (CASHE). She previously served as the NARACES graduate student representative, the liaison from ACPA's Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCAPS) to the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), and a regional representative to the ACES Emerging Leaders Task Force. 

She has been inducted into the international honor societies for counseling (Chi Sigma Iota), psychology (Psi Chi), and education (Kappa Delta Pi). She was also selected as an ACES Presidential Fellow (2013), an ACES Emerging Leaders Fellow (2013), an ACPA Ambassador (2015), and an ACES Emerging Leaders Mentor (2017). Her counseling experience includes work in K-12 settings (both public and private schools), university counseling centers, and outpatient clinics. Her professional experience includes providing executive functioning coaching, academic coaching, and additional support to children, adolescents, and college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Specific Learning Disabilities. 

She is extremely excited to not only return to her alma mater and join the Department of Psychology & Counseling, but to also support rising counselors in reaching their fullest potential for themselves and their future clients. Stop by her office to say hello! Also, if you are interested in joining her upcoming research lab, send her an email for more information.