A Unit of the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision
Research Affiliates
The ACES Research Center Affiliates are a network of expert researchers who partner with the Center to provide specialized research and grant-related services. Affiliates are called upon on an as-needed basis, allowing the Center to remain responsive, flexible, and equipped to meet the diverse needs of individuals, organizations, and institutions.
Expert support for every stage of your project
Projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
Survey Design
Design valid, reliable, and intentional surveys that capture data that answer your research questions.
Manuscript & Dissertation Editing
Polish your writing with expert editing for clarity, coherence, and publication readiness.
Data Analysis
Project support for both quantitative, qualitative, and mix methods analyses to uncover meaningful insights.
Data Visualization
Elevate impact and translation of your research through actionable implications and compelling visualizations.
Program Evaluation
Evaluate programs and initiatives to demonstrate impact and inform improvement.
Grant Proposal Support
Strengthen your grant proposals with strategic guidance on evaluation planning.
Project-Based Services
Request a Project-Based Service
Request a Project or Specialized Service by completing this questionnaire.
Center Affiliates
Dr. Kelly L. Wester
Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC
Professor & Chair, Counseling and Educational Development, University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Dr. Kelly L. Wester is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has been teaching research methodology and mentoring in the research process to master’s and doctoral students for over 25 years.
She has a co-authored book, Making Research Relevant: Applied Research Designs for Mental Health Professionals, 2nd ed. and many peer refereed articles on research designs, methodology, analyses, and research training.
Dr. Michael Brooks
Ph.D., NCC, LCMHC-S
Professor, Counseling, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Dr. Michael Brooks is a counselor educator, researcher, and international scholar whose work focuses on counselor education, professional identity development, faculty career readiness, multicultural counseling, and global learning experiences.
He is Professor in the Department of Counseling at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he teaches, mentors doctoral students, and leads innovative research initiatives. Dr. Brooks has developed nationally recognized study abroad programs that examine Black internationalism, cultural identity, and global leadership while expanding access to transformative international experiences for historically underrepresented students. His scholarship and grantsmanship explore faculty development, mentoring, behavioral threat assessment, and the preparation of future counselor educators through culturally responsive and evidence-informed practices. Through research, teaching, and professional leadership, Dr. Brooks is committed to advancing equity, innovation, and excellence within counselor education and the broader counseling profession.
Dr. Gerta Bardhoshi
PhD, NCC, CSC(SD), LPC(SD), LMHC(IA), ACS, CMC-1
Professor of School Counseling, University of Iowa
Dr. Gerta Bardhoshi is a Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Iowa and a nationally recognized research leader with over $20 million in competitive external funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Her research administration experience spans both federal service – including roles as an OMB Clearance Officer and federal IRB co-lead at the Health Resources and Services Administration – and university-based research center leadership, where she directed competitive grant programs and guided faculty through all phases of grant development. She brings particular expertise in program evaluation planning and research design across education, mental health, and health sciences proposals, with a focus on instrumentation and evaluation methodology. Dr. Bardhoshi’s own research focuses examining best practices in mental health assessment and intervention with school-aged youth, as well as the factors that enable school counselors to practice effectively and stave off burnout. She was the recipient of the 2022 American Counseling Association Research Award.