Dr. Stephanie Smith-Durkin is an Assistant Professor of counseling at Old Dominion University. Here, she works to effectively prepare counselors for culturally affirming and antiracist professional practices as well as coordinate the department’s Educational Specialist program. Dr. Smith-Durkin is a former school counselor with nearly two decades of dedicated service in the field of education, working with children and their caregivers. Her passion for fostering social justice, championing diversity, and nurturing affirming relationships has been the cornerstone of her career. Aside from working as an inspiring counselor educator, Dr. Smith-Durkin’s research is centered on topics about PK-12 student mental health, social justice, multiculturalism, antiracism, culturally affirming counseling practices, preservice school counselors, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Resident in Counseling in Virginia. Dr. Stephanie Smith-Durkin’s expertise shines as she continues to shape the next generation of school counselor advocates as well as provide trainings to develop socially conscious counseling professionals.