Who We Are

Dr. Santos Dietz obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education at North Carolina State University and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from the State University of New York at Buffalo as a Fulbright scholar. She worked as a professor and program coordinator in her home country Honduras, at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán, and as an assistant professor in counselor education at East Carolina University. Dr. Santos Dietz is currently an associate professor, Interim Associate Chair for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department at Antioch University New England, and Co-Founder/Director of the Latinx Mental Health & Social Justice Institute. She is a National Certified Counselor, and a Licensed School Counselor in the state of North Carolina. Her research, service, and teaching focus on cultural competence development, diversity, and social justice. She is particularly interested in examining how counselor educators support cultural competence development through local and global initiatives, and how the counseling profession serves historically marginalized populations, particularly Latinx communities. Dr. Santos Dietz serves as an editorial board member for the Professional Counselor Journal of School-based Counseling Policy and Evaluation.

Mariela is a Queer, Latinx therapist and Teaching Faculty and Latinx Mental Health Specialist at Antioch University Santa Barbara. Additionally, they serve as Executive Director at the Community Counseling and Education Center (CCEC) with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. They find their many roles help them fulfill the mandate of caring for the community and they are deeply committed to the well-being of their students and clients. Mariela believes in the power of culture, connection, nature and community to heal and strives to support others on their journeys in ways that resonate and empower while also honoring ancestors and supporting future generations

Dr. Douglas Valdez, Assistant Professor at St. Cloud State University and is a core faculty member teaching in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. As a bilingual Latiné and Queer-identified clinician, educator, and advocate, he brings an intersectional and culturally responsive lens to both his teaching and clinical practice. His work centers the experiences of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ Latiné individuals, including those navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.

Douglas earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University in Seattle. He also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the same institution, where he completed certificates in Sex Therapy, Sex Education, and Multicultural Counseling. In addition, Douglas earned a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from National University of Health Sciences and is currently completing a Doctorate in Chinese Medicine at the National University of Health Sciences