Faculty & Staff

Lyndon P. Abrams
Associate Professor

Area(s) of Interest and Research Racial Identity Development, Diversity in Math Science Careers, Multicultural Education, and Social Desirability Curriculum Vitae

John R. Culbreth
Professor, Director of Addictions Program

Education Ph.D. – University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1996) M.A. – Appalachian State University (1986) B.S. – Appalachian State University (1984) John R. (Jack) Culbreth is a professor in the Department of Counseling at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jack’s research and training interests are in the areas clinical supervision, ethical issues […]

Dania Fakhro
Assistant Professor
COED 238

Bio  Dr. Fakhro is a nationally certified counselor and a registered intern in Florida. Her passion for helping individuals with complex mental health issues has led her to work in various settings, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, college counseling centers, community-based clinics, and residential programs for clients with substance use issues. Over the course of […]

Sejal Parikh Foxx
Department Chair

Bio Dr. Foxx is a Professor and Counseling Department Chair. She is also the Director of the Urban School Counseling Collaborative. She has experience as an elementary and high school counselor. She is co-author of School Counseling in the 21st Century, 6th ed. In 2015, she received the Counselor Educator of the Year Award from […]

Susan R. Furr
Professor
COED 260

Profile Dr. Susan Furr is a professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. Prior to her career in teaching, she worked as a school counselor and a psychologist at the university counseling center. Her specialized teaching interests include grief and loss counseling and crisis counseling. Research interests include college student development, problems of […]

Tracey Glover
Administrative Support Associate
Henry L. Harris
Professor, CACREP Liaison

Area(s) of Interest and Research School Counseling, Multiracial Issues, Autism, Career Development, College Student-Athletes, and Military Veterans Curriculum Vitae

Tabitha R. Haynes
Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Testing

Bio Tabitha R. Haynes, Ph.D., LCMHCS, LCAS is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also serves as the Director of Testing. Dr. Haynes began her professional career as a licensed professional counselor providing clinical mental health counseling in a variety of settings, including […]

Clare Merlin-Knoblich
Associate Professor, Director of Masters in Counseling, Director of Post-Masters Certificate in School Counseling

Profile Dr. Clare Merlin-Knoblich is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. She currently serves as Director of the Master’s in Counseling Program, as well as Director of the Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling. A former high school counselor, Dr. Merlin researches anti-oppressive, social justice school counseling practices to understand how […]

Taryne Mingo
Assistant Professor, Director of School Counseling Program
COED 236

Taryne M. Mingo, Ph.D., LPC (MO), LCMHCA is an assistant professor and director of the school counseling program in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. Dr. Mingo has a professional background in elementary school counseling and providing tele-mental health therapy for Missouri-based clients. Her research interests at the K-12 level of education include supporting […]

John Nance
Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Field Experiences
COED 237
Kristie Opiola
Associate Professor, Director of PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision
COED 247

Bio Kristie Opiola, Ph. D., LPC (Texas), RPT is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She began her professional career as a certified child life specialist working with acutely and terminally ill children in hospital settings for 13 years. She switched careers and is currently […]

Phyllis B. Post
Professor, Director of Play Therapy Program
COED 257

Bio Dr. Post also serves as the Director of the Multicultural Play Therapy Center. Area(s) of Interest and Research Play Therapy, Child-Parent & Teacher Relationship Therapy, School Counseling, Social Justice Advocacy in Play Therapy and School Counseling, and Counselor Education Curriculum Vitae

Natalie M. Ricciutti
Assistant Professor
Counseling

Bio Dr. Natalie Ricciutti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. She received her Ph.D. from Kent State University and her Master’s degree from Youngstown State University. Dr. Ricciutti’s research and teaching expertise are in addictions counseling and addictions education. She is an advocate for providing counseling students with the […]

Catherine  Rutstein
Program Assistant

Cat Rutstein is a Master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UNC Charlotte. She graduated cum laude from the University of Tampa in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Therapeutic Arts. She is a member of Psi Chi, the international honors society in psychology. Currently, she serves […]


Faculty Emeritus

Edward A. Wierzalis
Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus