Recent Projects

My research agenda is founded on critical examinations of structural and systemic inequities that shape human development, mental health, and wellbeing. I commonly examine three topic areas: grief theory and counseling, LGBTQ+ persons’ mental health and development, and culturally-informed practices in counselor education.

  • In collaboration with Hannah McKinney, this project explores student experiences of culturally-directed relational mentorship (Thacker Darrow & White, 2023). The project is supported by funding from the Chi Sigma Iota Excellence in Counseling Research Grant.

  • In collaboration with Drs. Antonio Duran and Jason Garvey, this quantitative study explored the effect of bereavement on collegians’ academic persistence.

  • In collaboration with Drs. Jillian Blueford, Katie Wood, and Beth Anderson Walker, this project explores best practices for integrating grief content in counseling curriculum. The project is funded by a SACES research grant.

  • In collaboration with Dr. Antonio Duran, this project explored the ways assumptive worlds evolve during sexual identity development among LGBTQ+ collegians.

  • In collaboration with Dr. Kamden Strunk, this project was a community-based qualitative inquiry exploring LGBTQ+ affirmative counseling education in the Southeastern U.S. This project was supported by the Spencer Foundation Small Research Grants.

  • In collaboration with Drs. Christian Chan and Antonio Duran, this project was a critical narrative inquiry into the ways LGBTQ+ BIPOC students develop and negotiate family (of origin and chosen) relationships during college. This project was supported by a SAIGE (https://saigecounseling.org/) research grant.

  • In collaboration with Dr. Jessica Tyler, this phenomenological inquiry examined how individuals utilized cultural resiliency to cope with traumatic loss. This project was supported by Auburn University College of Education Seed grant.

  • In collaboration with Dr. Antonio Duran, this narrative inquiry explored ambiguous loss experiences among LGBQ+ college students during sexual identity development. This project was supported by Auburn University Intramural Grants program.

  • In collaboration with Kevin White, this constructivist grounded theory study explored how counseling professionals engage in reflexive examinations of their power and privilege to provide culturally-informed mentorship. This project was funded by a Chi Sigma Iota Excellence in Research Grant.