COE Welcomes New Faculty Members Grenier and Maurer

The College of Education (COE) has announced the addition of two new faculty members this fall, expanding its programs in counseling psychology and special education. Nuutari Grenier joins the faculty as a Teaching Assistant Professor in Counseling Psychology, while Emily Maurer will serve as an Assistant Professor in Special Education.

Grenier (they/them) brings a specialized clinical background focused on trauma-informed mental health care and LGBTQIA+ affirmative services. Their clinical experience encompasses forensic evaluations, psychological assessments, and psychotherapy across diverse environments, including the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House and New Jersey’s Northern Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center for Child Maltreatment (RDTC).

In addition to teaching courses on multicultural counseling, cultural humility, and intersectionality, Grenier’s research examines transgender identity development, psychosocial resilience, and the innovative use of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) in mental health contexts. Grenier holds a Psy.D. and M.A. from William Paterson University of New Jersey, an M.Ed. from Frostburg State University, and a B.A. from Montclair State University.

Joining the Special Education program, Maurer focuses her research on how effective literacy instruction and enhanced teacher preparation can improve academic outcomes for elementary students—specifically those with reading and writing difficulties, learning disabilities, or emerging bilingual skills.

Before pursuing her doctorate, Maurer spent several years in the classroom as a third- and fourth-grade teacher in Kansas City, where she was recognized with the Horizon Award for Outstanding Educators by the Kansas State Department of Education. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, an M.A. from San Jose State University, and a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

The arrival of both scholars reinforces the college’s commitment to advancing equity, culturally responsive mental health preparation, and evidence-based inclusive instruction across elementary and higher education settings.