Dwayne White joins W&M Counseling faculty
This fall, the School of Education welcomes new faculty members. Today, we introduce Dwayne White, who is joining our Counseling faculty.
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to W&M.
I was born and raised in Miami, FL, and I am proud to be a first-generation college graduate. I earned my Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Auburn University (UAB), and over the past seven years, I have supported university, community and governmental organizations in counseling, advocacy, operations management and program development and implementation. My decision to enter the field of counseling and to teach counselors-in-training was driven by my early life experiences and family stories, which ignited a deep passion within me to help and advocate for others who have not been afforded the same opportunities for self-actualization in our society. My clinical specialty lies in working with Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ individuals within these communities.
I was drawn to W&M because of its diverse faculty with intersecting identities, research and clinical interests, which foster a creative and equitable environment. This environment seemed like one that would be mutually beneficial for my professional growth, allowing me to be my authentic self and to model that authenticity for my students. Additionally, the university's strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), which is embedded at the institutional, school, departmental and program levels, was particularly appealing to me.
What’s your area of research and what question are you most passionate about answering right now?
My research primarily focuses on the wellness and liberation of queer and trans Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). In this area, I seek to understand the oppressive and stigmatizing systems that these groups encounter at the individual, community and institutional levels. I also examine the methods used by these groups to create counter-narratives that promote their wellness. Furthermore, I explore the role of counselors and counselor educators in addressing the well-being and liberation of these communities. This research is imperative for those serving these individuals, as it helps to avoid the generalization or stereotyping of their experiences based on dominant cultural narratives. Instead, it promotes a deeper understanding of how socio-cultural environments impact these groups and how they resist and exert agency within these contexts, thereby facilitating individualized modes of helping. In addition to these empirical projects, I maintain a secondary research agenda focused on the application of humanistic practices in counseling and counselor education, which enables me to stay active in publishing manuscripts between larger research investigations.
What else are you hoping to get involved with on campus or in the community?
As I become more integrated into the William & Mary community, I am eager to learn more about the campus and its surrounding community. I believe in the importance of taking the time to listen, observe and learn from the people and environments around me. Specifically, I am looking forward to connecting with the W&M Center for Student Diversity and collaborating with various centers and institutes on campus. My goal is to immerse myself in the community, gain a deeper understanding of its dynamics and build meaningful connections.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Fun facts: I'm a huge fan of Beyoncé, and I enjoy watching reruns of "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon," playing tennis, karaoke and traveling.
