Jose Villalba

Jose Villalba is a Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at Wake Forest University, where he has served since 2011. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and an Ed.S. in Counseling from the University of Florida.

• Research focuses on health disparities in Latino adolescents, multicultural counseling, and college access for underserved populations.
• His work spans school counseling, caregiver stress, and mental health interventions in diverse communities.

Recent publications highlight trends in multicultural competence, DEI initiatives, and Latino educational empowerment. Awards include the Presidential Award from the Association for Specialists in Group Work (2019) and the UNCG Alumni Teaching Excellence Award (2007).

• As a licensed professional counselor, he has worked in memory counseling programs and family therapy settings.
• Professional service includes editorial roles at the Journal for Specialist in Group Work and leadership in the American Counseling Association Foundation.

Grant initiatives emphasize Latino college access and health disparities in rural communities, funded by institutions like the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and NIH.