Delarious O. Stewart, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor

Dr. Delarious O. Stewart is an assistant professor of counseling at East Texas A&M. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, a National Certified School Counselor, and a National Certified School Psychologist. His extensive licensures span multiple states, reflecting his expertise in counseling, school psychology and educational leadership. His research and professional experience center on culturally responsive education, mental health equity and systemic reform.

With a distinguished career in academia and practice, Dr. Stewart has served in leadership roles in higher education, school systems and private practice. He has directed school counseling programs, managed psychological services in public school districts, and consulted on special education compliance and program development. His academic contributions include teaching graduate and doctoral-level courses in counseling, psychology, and education, with a strong focus on multicultural competence, assessment, and intervention.

His research agenda is rooted in addressing systemic inequities affecting African American men and boys, particularly in mental health and education. His work spans topics such as the digital divide, culturally responsive interventions, school discipline disparities and the social determinants of mental health. Dr. Stewart actively publishes in peer-reviewed journals, presents at national and international conferences and contributes to book projects aimed at advancing culturally competent counseling and educational practices.

A Conversation with Dr. Stewart

What would you tell a student who is thinking about attending East Texas A&M?

East Texas A&M University provides a rigorous and supportive environment for students pursuing careers in counseling. The faculty are experienced professionals dedicated to mentoring students and preparing them for success in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling and counselor education. Students at East Texas A&M benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based practice, cultural competence and real-world application. The program offers hands-on training through supervised field experiences, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to work in various counseling settings. Beyond academics, the university fosters a collaborative learning community where students engage in meaningful discussions, research and professional development. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others through counseling, East Texas A&M University offers education, resources and support to help you achieve your goals.

What draws you to your discipline?

My passion for counseling stems from a deep commitment to equity, justice and advocacy in mental health and education. Throughout my career, I have witnessed how systemic barriers disproportionately impact marginalized communities, limiting access to quality mental health care and educational opportunities. These disparities are not just statistics—they are lived realities that affect individuals, families and entire communities. Counseling provides a powerful platform to address these inequities by fostering healing, resilience and empowerment. I am particularly drawn to the intersection of mental health and cultural identity, where interventions must be both evidence-based and culturally responsive to be truly effective. My research and practice focus on dismantling barriers to mental health services, advocating for inclusive policies, and equipping future counselors with the skills to serve diverse populations with competence and compassion. Ultimately, my work is driven by the belief that mental health is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Through counseling, research, and education, I strive to create systemic change that ensures all individuals—regardless of background—have access to the support and resources they need to thrive.

Education

• Ed.D., Child Development, Jackson State University
• Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of the Cumberlands, Expected August 2026
• S.S.P., School Psychology, University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Ed.S., Special Education and Disability Studies, Jackson State University
• M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Southern University and A&M College
• M.A., Counselor Education, Southern University and A&M College
• B.A., Mass Communications (Print Journalism), Southern University and A&M College

Featured Courses

• COUN 517: Assessment in Counseling
• COUN 534: Counseling Children and Adolescents
• COUN 540: Diagnosis & Treatment
• COUN 595: Research Literature and Techniques
• COUN 620: Supervision in Counseling
• COUN 650: Instructional Theory & Methods in Counselor Education

Research Areas

• Social determinants of mental health in African American men and boys
• Digital divide and its impact on mental health and education
• Culturally responsive counseling and educational practices
• School Discipline Disparities and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
• The role of faith-based communities in mental health interventions
• Hip-hop culture, media consumption, and adolescent development

Professional Organizations

• American Counseling Association
• American School Counselor Association
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
• National Association of School Psychologists
• National Alliance of Black School Educators
• Association of Black Psychologists
• National Black Child Development Institute

Recent Publications

• Stewart, K. D., Stewart, D. O., Hendricks, L., Smith, D., & Maiden, J. L. (2025). Environmental justice and mental health: The psychological impact of pollution on marginalized communities in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Journal of Wisdom Within Quarterly, 2(1).
• Davis, D., Bore, S., Brown, T. A., Hendricks, L., Smith, D., Stewart, D. O., & Mitchell, K. (2025). Perceived cultural competence of White and minority counselors working with Black clients. Journal of Wisdom Within Quarterly, 2(1).
• Stewart, D. O. (2025). Healing-centered SEL: Trauma-informed approaches for marginalized students. In D. O. Stewart (Ed.), The power of social and emotional learning for student success. IGI Global.
• Stewart, K. D., Stewart, D. O., & Espy, P. B. (2025). Institutional responses: How universities can address and prevent microaggressions. In L. Hendricks, D. Smith, & D. Stewart (Eds.), Microaggressions faced by African American faculty in higher education. IGI Global.
• *Stewart, D. O., Pinckney, C., Richard, R., & Harris, B. (2025). When stereotypes shape expectations: Academic bias and faculty performance. In L. Hendricks, D. Smith, & D. Stewart (Eds.), Microaggressions faced by African American faculty in higher education (Chapter 6). IGI Global. ISBN: 9798369399149; EISBN: 9798369399163.
• *Stewart, D. O., Harris, B., & Richards, R. (2025). Evaluating SEL effectiveness: Measuring growth and impact in marginalized communities. In D. O. Stewart (Ed.), The power of social and emotional learning for student success. IGI Global.
• * Stewart, D. O., Hill, F. O., Smith, T. W., & Harris, B. (2025). Suspension is never an intervention: Addressing systemic inequalities in school discipline through robust MTSS practices. In A. Ellis, P. Moss-Clark, E. Pringle, & K. Watson (Eds.), Ending violence in PreK-12 schools. Information Age Publishing.
• Stewart, D. O., Maiden, J. L., & Stewart, K. D. (2024). Unmasking Black Men’s Mental Health: The Impact of Social Determinants. In D. Bates (Ed.), Mental Health Counseling for Men: Practical Strategies and Effective Engagement (pp. 195-228). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1459-3.ch009
• Maiden, J., Stewart, D. O., & Holloway, K. (2024). Enhancing STEM engagement and confidence: The impact of the Verizon STEM Achievers Program on middle school students’ attitudes and perceptions. American Journal of STEM Education: Issues and Perspectives, 4(1), 1–15.
• Stewart, D. O., Maiden, J., Jackson, P., & Gordon, P. (2024). The role of mentors in supporting the success of Black males in rehabilitation counseling master's programs at historically Black colleges and universities. Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Practice, 45 (1), 49–66
• Newman, G., Hendricks, L., Cooper, T., Smith, D., Guerin, A., Hudson, E., Mitchell, K., & Stewart, D. O. (2024). The digital divide: A factor that raises high levels of anxiety and other mental health challenges in African Americans. Journal of Literature Reviews in Education and Human Services.
• Sutton, B., Maiden, J., & Stewart, D. (2024). Navigating the crossroads: Lived experiences of African American pastors providing non-licensed counseling for race-related mental health issues. Journal of Wisdom Within Quarterly, 1(1). National Association of Black Counselors.
• Stewart, D., & Maiden, J. (2024). Beats, rhymes, and risks: Exploring the influence of hip-hop media consumption and gender on adolescent substance use. Journal of Wisdom Within Quarterly, 1(1).