College of Education and Human Development

Department of Educational Psychology

People

Carolyn Berger

  • Pronouns: she, her, hers

  • Teaching associate professor

I am committed to advocating for students and addressing inequities in education and counseling. With licenses in school counseling and clinical mental health, I have supported people of all ages in a variety of school and mental health settings.

    DEGREES

    PhD, counselor education, University of Florida
    MEd & EdS, counselor education, University of Florida
    BA, psychology, Northwestern University

      AREAS OF INTEREST
      • Advancing advocacy and leadership competencies within school counseling
      • Strengthening accountability systems through data-driven counseling practices
      • Promoting equity in PK–12 postsecondary and career readiness
      • Enhancing college access and success through evidence-based student support strategies
      • Improving counseling services and affirming practices for gender diverse youth
      • Designing, implementing, and evaluating antiracist practices across educational systems
        BIOGRAPHY

        Dr. Carolyn Berger is committed to advocating for students and addressing systemic inequities in education and counseling, which is reflected throughout her teaching, research, and service. With dual licensure in school counseling and clinical mental health, she has supported individuals across the lifespan in a variety of school and mental health settings.

        Dr. Berger currently teaches several courses in Counselor Education including counseling ethics, practicum and internship supervision, and school counselor accountability, advocacy, and leadership. She is actively involved in professional associations, including the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). She currently serves as the advocacy committee co-chair for the Minnesota School Counselor Association (MSCA) and is on the advisory council for the Evidence Based School Counseling Conference (EBSCC). Dr. Berger enjoys collaborating on research and service projects with students, who frequently publish and present with her. In addition, she maintains an active role in community engagement, working closely with schools, counseling agencies, and mental health practitioners.

          PUBLICATIONS

          Turner, S., Berger, C., Mason-Chagil, G., Christman, S., Sylvia, K., Rassier, A., Kemp, K., Coyle, R., Hatzimalonas, M., Jacobs, S., & Colston, N. (estimated pub date 2026). The development and pursuit of engineering interests among Native American students. Accepted for publication in the Journal of College Student Development.

          Gilfillan, B., Dahir, C., Hilts, D., Guzman, Y., Barrow, S., Scott, S., Berger, C., Blalock, S., & Campbell, L. (estimated pub date 2026). Transforming school counselor education: A Delphi study. Accepted for publication in Professional School Counseling.

          Turner, S., Berger, C., Niznik, K., Christman, S., Ben, L., Quanbeck, M., Daumal, M., Lynum, D., Doran, E., Gullickson, J., Leahy, S., Flynn, C., Blum, M., LaPierre, L., Sim, A., & Erickson, C. (2025). Developing and testing a measure of perceived barriers to persistence to graduation: A cohort study among multiethnic U.S. college students. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.2025.2540338   

          Berger, C., Blalock, S., Brown, E., & Scott-Goodman, E. (2022). Driving forces in elementary school counseling advocacy: A phenomenological investigation of advocates’ experiences. Professional School Counseling, 26(1a). https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X221086741 

          Scott-Goodman, E., Brown, E., Berger, C., & Blalock, S. (2022). Experiences with elementary school counseling advocacy. Professional School Counseling, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X211067958 

          Full list available on Google Scholar

            PRESENTATIONS

            Berger, C., Mariani, M., Griffith, C., & McMahon, G. (October, 2025). Equity-Focused, Data-Driven Advocacy: Preparing School Counselors to Navigate Legislative Change. 50-minute presentation at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Philadelphia, PA.

            Peed, T., Berger, C., Keogh, L., Maki, L., & Ohrtman, M. (October, 2025). Leveraging Legislation: A Roadmap to State-Level Training Grant Success. 50-minute presentation at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Philadelphia, PA.

            Berger., C., Nelson, D., Langenberg, M., Wilson, B., & Lockhart, I. (October, 2025). Rooting Down in School Counseling Advocacy: Tools to Strengthen and Expand Services. 60-minute presentation at the Minnesota School Counselor Conference. Duluth, MN.

            Berger, C., & Piras, S. (July, 2025). From Flops to Wins: How We Learned to Advocate Like Pros. 60-minute presentation at the American School Counselor Association Conference. Long Beach, CA.

            Turner, S., Rottinghaus, P., & Berger, C. (July, 2025). Extending the Integrative Career Counseling Approach to Native American Clients. Poster presentation at the Society for Vocational Psychology Conference. University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

            Berger, C., Rost, S., Leena, A., Quanbeck, M., & Sim, A. (March, 2025). Inclusivity in Postsecondary Preparation: Fostering Success for Students of Color. 50-minute presentation at the Evidence Based School Counseling Conference. Columbus, OH.

            Berger, C. (February, 2025). College Readiness: Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing. Invited webinar presentation for the Groves Learning Organization (GLO) Community Education Series. Minneapolis, MN.

            Turner, S. L., Berger, C., Mason-Chagil, G. P., & Christman, S. T. (November, 2024). Native American College Students in Engineering: Access to Higher Education and Degree Attainment.  75-minute presentation at the Association for the Study of Higher Education Conference. Minneapolis, MN. 

            Berger, C., Ohrtman, M., Wilson, B., Peed, T., & Roney, C. (November, 2024). Empowering school counselors: Advocacy strategies and tools for effective school and district-level engagement. 60-minute presentation at the Minnesota School Counselor Conference. Duluth, MN.

            Turner, S. L., Berger, C., Niznik, K., & Christman, S. (July, 2024). Test of the Social Cognitive Model of Well-Being among Multi-Ethnic College Students in the U.S. Poster presentation at the International Congress of Psychology Conference. Prague, Czech Republic.

            Berger, C., Ohrtman, M., & Keogh, L. (March, 2024). Enhancing School Counseling Programs: Fostering Leaders and Social Justice Advocates. 60-minute presentation at the Evidence Based School Counseling Conference. Virtual.

            Dr. Carolyn Berger headshot