Dana Griffin

Dr. Dana Griffin is an Associate Professor and Area Chair of Learning, Development, and Psychological Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s UNC School of Education, specializing in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). Her work focuses on equity-driven school-family-community partnerships, parent involvement, and addressing systemic inequities in education. She emphasizes multicultural competency among educators to bridge gaps for marginalized students.

Education:

• Ph.D. 2007 – College of William and Mary, Counselor Education
• M.A. 2000 – Hampton University, School Counseling and College Student Development
• B.A. 1995 – College of William and Mary

Research interests include culturally responsive school counseling practices, trauma-informed suicide prevention, and leveraging community asset mapping for college readiness. Her work highlights disparities faced by Black, Latinx, and Asian students, advocating for systemic changes through policy and partnership models.

Dr. Griffin led a $4 million grant to advance college readiness and mindfulness programming, reflecting her commitment to scalable interventions. Her research often intersects with JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) frameworks and mental health support systems. She has published extensively on racial identity development, LGBTQ+ youth support, and crisis management during the pandemic.

Advising and Grants: Dr. Griffin’s funded research includes studies on multicultural counseling competency, rural community partnerships, and antiracist school practices. She emphasizes collaborative leadership models for educators and counselors.

Labs/Teams: She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on equity-focused initiatives, including partnerships with rural schools and community organizations to enhance college access and mental health resources.