Cuellar's rich background in student affairs and institutional advancement, underscored by her research examining resilience and educational transitions among marginalized students, promise to connect theory to practice in the classroom and beyond.
The Department of Educational Leadership & Higher Education and TCU College of Education are pleased to welcome Stephanie Cuellar, Ph.D. as assistant professor beginning fall 2024.
Cuellar most recently served as a postdoctoral fellow teaching graduate-level courses including advocacy and activism, diversity in education, introduction to student development theory and advanced student development theory. Her dissertation examined the impact of ethnic-racial identity development on the relationship between discrimination and psychological resilience. Today, Cuellar’s research agenda examines early college high schools, first-generation college students, socialization and transition to college and resilience among Latina/o/e students.
Ashley Tull, Ed.D., professor and educational leadership & higher education chair, expressed, “Dr. Cuellar brings experience as a practitioner to her scholarly work and is great at connecting theory to practice in the classroom for her students. We are excited to have her join our department in her new role as assistant professor.”
Prior to her academic posts, Cuellar held several administrative roles in institutional advancement and student affairs at the University of North Texas (UNT) Health Science Center, UNT, and Midwestern State University (MSU).
Cuellar holds a BS in psychology and criminal justice, and MA in clinical/counseling psychology from MSU, and Ph.D. in higher education leadership from TCU. She also holds a graduate certificate in comparative race and ethnic studies from TCU.
“Dr. Cuellar’s research is timely and of great value to those working in both secondary and postsecondary education. She, along with her colleagues, are addressing challenges around access and success for students, particularly marginalized students” Tull stated.
Cuellar expressed, “I am thrilled and honored to transition into an assistant professor role in the TCU College of Education. I look forward to continuing to learn with and from our brilliant graduate students. I am always impressed by the wealth of knowledge and experience they bring into the classroom.”
