Dr. Dakota King-White has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Notre Dame College of Ohio, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Heidelberg University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Toledo. She is the co-founder of Making A Difference Consulting, an Assistant Professor in Counseling and the Program Coordinator of the School Counseling Program at Cleveland State University. Dr. King-White is licensed as a professional counselor and a school counselor. She is a community engaged scholar who engages various partners to ensure that people succeed within their various settings. Dr. King-White gives back to her profession by serving on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Whole Chile Advisory Board, the ODE Trauma-Informed Schools Committee, and the Ohio School Counseling Association Board as the Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
Her broad area of research focuses on developing mental health models in systems from a trauma-informed lens. Through her research, she has partnered with various organizations where they have sought and secured funding for research projects locally and internationally. Dr. King-White also serves as a Research Affiliate with the Center on Trauma and Adversity at Case Western Reserve University. She has also collaborated with numerous organizations using her background as a school counselor, mental health therapist, and an administrator in K-12 schools. Dr. King-White has helped schools and other organizations identify resources, develop mental health services and models to support faculty, staff, and youth to thrive within the academic setting and beyond. For her research and achievements, she was named one of Crain’s 40 under 40 in 2018.
Dr. King-White is also a sought-after speaker who has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Speaking engagements include but are not limited to programs through the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, Eaton Corporation, The Ohio State University, Aspire Program at Hathaway Brown, All Ohio Counselors Association Conference, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools, Warrensville City Schools, the American Counseling Association Conference, the International School Counseling Association and KCA University in Nairobi, Kenya. As a community engaged scholar, it is Dr. King-White’s goal to ensure that systems, organizations, and people are given the right tools and opportunities to thrive in their communities and beyond.
