Renae D. Mayes

Renae D. Mayes is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona, serving as a member of the Graduate Faculty. She holds licensure as a school counselor and national certification. Her education includes a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University (as a Todd Anthony Bell Fellow), an M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of Maryland, and a B.S. in Middle School Education from the University of Missouri (as a McNair Scholar and Gates Millennium Scholar).

Her research focuses on academic success and college readiness for gifted Black students with disabilities, employing frameworks like Critical Race Theory and bioecological systems theory. She emphasizes dismantling oppressive systems through policy and practice, with particular attention to Black girls' experiences and school counselor advocacy. Mayes co-leads the Black Youth Mental Health Initiative, exploring mental health and wellness for marginalized students.

Her work bridges theory and practice, advocating for culturally responsive interventions, Black joy-centered pedagogy, and anti-racist frameworks in education. Her recent scholarship analyzes K-12 schooling through lenses of resistance, joy, and systemic equity, with implications for counselor training and principal-counselor collaboration.

Key achievements include developing evidence-based career development groups, MTSS approaches for Black males, and frameworks for liberatory school counseling. Awards include McNair and Gates Millennium Scholarships and recognition as an ASCA standard alignment pioneer.

Mayes' research addresses gaps in supporting twice-exceptional learners, maternal educational biopolitics, and the intersection of race, disability, and giftedness. She collaborates with policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders to translate research into actionable strategies for systemic change.