Rawn Boulden

Rawn Boulden is an Assistant Professor and on-campus school counseling program coordinator in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at NC State University. Previously, he served as an assistant professor at West Virginia University for four years. His research focuses on school counseling, rural education, youth mental health disparities, and culturally competent practices. He has secured over $10 million in federal grants addressing mental health issues in West Virginia and North Carolina schools.

Dr. Boulden holds a Ph.D. and B.S. from Old Dominion University and an M.Ed. from the University of Maryland. He is licensed as a school counselor in Virginia and West Virginia, nationally certified, and a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor. His work emphasizes rural school counselor competencies, systemic support for marginalized students, and evidence-based interventions.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Old Dominion University
  • M.Ed. in School Counseling, University of Maryland-College Park
  • B.A. in Human Services, Old Dominion University

His research interests include rural school communities, school climate, resilience, and culturally responsive practices. He has pioneered studies on school counselors’ roles in addressing opioid crises, LGBTQQQI youth advocacy, and first-generation college student support. Recent publications explore MTSS frameworks, 504 plan implementation, and the impact of crises on student well-being.

• Awards:
  • 2023 WVU College of Applied Human Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award
  • 2023 WVU Values Coin for Land Grant Mission Alignment

Dr. Boulden’s work integrates policy advocacy with grassroots interventions. He collaborates with schools to design culturally sustaining programs and mentors the next generation of counselors through innovative practicum placements. His grants focus on scalable solutions for rural mental health access and anti-racism initiatives in schools.