Mark S. Barajas

Mark S. Barajas is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Saint Mary's College of California, where he has held faculty appointments since at least 2017. He is a licensed psychologist (PSY# 30042) with a dual focus on student-centered teaching and college student mental health, particularly examining implicit bias, race and racism, and critical pedagogy in his research.

• Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University
• Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University
• Bachelor’s in Psychobiology from University of California, Davis
• California Clear Teaching Credential in Biological Sciences, Psychology, and General Science

His research explores intersections between teacher preparation, student mental health, and social justice, with projects examining Lasallian values and grant-funded counseling psychology trends. He has secured multiple Faculty Development Grants for his work and teaches courses like Psychopathology and Early Childhood Social-Emotional Development.

Key themes in his recent publications include cultural competence in education, resilience in youth, and implicit bias in counseling, reflecting his commitment to advancing equity in both psychological practice and pedagogy.

He has held diverse roles across institutions, including as a Post-Doctoral Psychology Fellow at UC Berkeley and Group Therapist at Western Michigan University.