Michelle Cox, PhD

Michelle R. Cox, PhD, has been teaching in APU’s School Counseling and School Psychology program since 2003, and has several years of experience as an educational counselor. She was an associate counselor for Victor Valley College for 16 years, and prior to that was the first CalWorks Counselor at Chaffey College, assisting in the development of the Workforce Preparation program in which she provided educational and vocational counseling and educational planning to students receiving CalWorks assistance. She was a part-time instructor for the University of La Verne, teaching in the Educational Counseling program. Cox also has 9 years of experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, helping clients who have suffered injuries and require services to return to suitable and gainful employment. She established her own career counseling service, providing job-seeking skills to clients, as well as assistance in the completion of professional résumés. Cox is active in the community, having served as a member and president of the Adelanto School District Board of Education, School Site Council member for Morgan Kincaid Preparatory School, Snowline Joint Unified School District Multicultural Committee member, and substitute teacher for several school districts. Her research focuses on cultural issues related to schooling, and systemic oppression experienced by Black American students.

Education

• PhD, Counseling Studies, Capella University
• MA, Education: Educational Counseling, California State University, San Bernardino
• BA, Communications, University of La Verne

Credentials/Certifications

• California Pupil Personal Services Credential, School Counseling

Academic Area

• School of Education

Expertise

• Promoting School Counselor supports for Black American students
• Creating a sense of belonging for K-12 students
• Cultural Bias in Mandated Reporting
• Systemic Racism Experienced by Black American Students in Schools
• Teacher Diversity Training

Courses Taught

• EDCO 528 – Community, Family, and School Collaboration
• EDCO 533 – Counseling Theories and Techniques
• EDCO 535 – Professionalism, Ethics, and Law
• EDCO 549 – Career Development Theories and Techniques
• EDCO 550 – Crisis/Trauma Response and Interventions
• EDCO 555 – Group Counseling Skills
• EDCO 575 – Clinical Practica
• EDCO 579 – Sociocultural Competence
• EDCO 592 – Foundations and Ethics in Research