Indian American scholar Rhea Banerjee will join NC State University as an assistant teaching professor, focusing on immigrant experiences and mental health issues among diverse populations.
Rhea Banerjee, an Indian American scholar specializing in the immigrant experience, is set to join North Carolina State University’s College of Education as an assistant teaching professor in counseling and counselor education this August.
Banerjee transitions to NC State from Rutgers University, where she has been serving as an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. Her professional journey reflects a rich cross-continental background, bridging the mental health landscapes of both India and the United States.
Before relocating to the U.S. for her advanced studies, Banerjee completed her initial higher education in India, earning a master’s degree in applied psychology from Women’s Christian College. She later moved to the United States to attend Pennsylvania State University, where she obtained both her Master of Education and her doctorate in counselor education and supervision.
With over a decade of experience in counseling, supervision, teaching, and research across clinical, school, and community-based environments in both countries, Banerjee is a licensed associate counselor and a national certified counselor.
At NC State, Banerjee aims to promote an educational framework that emphasizes experiential learning and cultural adaptability. Her goal is to ensure that students can effectively translate classroom theories into practical community solutions.
“I’m excited to join NC State and contribute to a program that values both strong clinical training and culturally responsive practice, while supporting students in becoming thoughtful, effective counselors,” Banerjee expressed.
Her academic research is deeply focused on the immigrant experience, particularly in finding ways to reduce institutional stigma and enhance mental health help-seeking behaviors among international and immigrant populations. Additionally, she investigates the intersection of counselor education and advanced science, integrating neuroscience-informed approaches such as biofeedback and neurofeedback to assess the connections between brain function and behavior.
Currently, Banerjee is co-authoring a textbook dedicated to multicultural, neuroscience-integrated counseling. University officials have noted that her diverse background will significantly enhance the department’s mission to prepare counselors capable of addressing the needs of diverse and evolving global populations.
According to The American Bazaar, Banerjee’s appointment is expected to bolster NC State’s commitment to fostering a culturally responsive educational environment.