Jenna Alvarez, Ph.D.

Educational Credentials

• Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Ohio University
• M.S.Ed., School Counseling, University of Dayton
• B.S., Education, Ohio Dominican University

Biography

Jenna Alvarez, Ph.D., is an Associate Clinical Professor and Counseling Program Director at Miami University, where she has led the development of the graduate counseling program, welcoming the first cohort this August. She brings over 15 years of experience across K–12 and higher education settings and holds licensure in school counseling, special education, and clinical mental health counseling (LPC) in Ohio. Alvarez earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University, a CACREP-accredited program. Throughout her career, she has supported graduate students as an advisor, instructor, and site liaison while fostering strong collaborations with local schools and community partners. Her research focuses on counselor preparation, neurodiversity, trauma-informed practices, and school-based mental health. Alvarez is an active scholar with peer-reviewed publications and has co-authored a book focused on data collection for school counselors. She has been recognized for her outstanding mentorship with the Ohio Counseling Association’s Tom Davis Outstanding Mentor Award and the University of Cincinnati’s Golden Apple Teaching Award. She currently serves as President of the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES) and is a member of the national ACES Governing Council.

Research Interests

The role of school counselors as advocates and leaders to support students with disabilities, trauma-informed schools, and neurodiversity.