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Dr. Cirecie A. West-Olatunji

Ph.D.

Professor, Xavier University of Louisiana

Cirecie A. West-Olatunji is the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor at Xavier University of Louisiana and also a past president of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Dr. West-Olatunji’s research focuses on the relationship between traumatic stress and systemic oppression.

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Expert Bio

Cirecie A. West-Olatunji is the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and director of the Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit at Xavier University of Louisiana. She is a past president of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD). In addition, she has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development (JMCD). Nationally, Dr. West-Olatunji has initiated several clinical research projects that focus on culture-centered community collaborations designed to address issues rooted in systemic oppression, such as transgenerational trauma and traumatic stress. Cirecie West-Olatunji has conducted commissioned research under the auspices of the National Science Foundation, ACA Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, federal Witness Assistance Program, Spencer Foundation, American Educational Research Association, and African American Success Foundation. Her publications include two co-authored books, numerous book chapters, and over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to national presentations, Dr. West-Olatunji has delivered research papers in Eastern and Western Europe, the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. Additionally, she provided consultation in a PBS initiative to create a children's television show focusing on diversity through KCET-TV in Los Angeles, CA ("Puzzle Place"). Dr. West-Olatunji has also provided consultation to the Center for American Education in Singapore and the Buraku Liberation Organization in Japan to enhance their early childhood and counseling initiatives. In 2018, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji was recognized as an ACA Fellow.

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Education

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    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Counselor Education

    University of New Orleans

    1997

Honors & Awards

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    ACA Fellow

    American Counseling Association

    2017

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    Power of One Award

    California Counseling Association

    2015