Class of 2026: Emily Kitching has counseled students; now she will teach counselors

By Sian Wilkerson

As a school counselor in Hanover County, just north of Richmond, Emily Kitching spent seven years preparing students for lifelong success. But the Virginia Commonwealth University alum knew there was more she could do.

Sensing that she was "pushing up against the limits of the impact I could have" while working in a single school, Kitching wanted to extend that impact. Her goal? Training the next generation of counselors.

In 2023, Kitching returned to VCU to pursue her Ph.D. with a focus on counselor education, and she graduates this spring. She had received her master's in the field from the School of Education in 2016.

"I love teaching. Something I'm interested in continuing to do is shaping who school counselors are," Kitching said. "The world is so dynamic right now - schools are evolving and student needs are evolving, so it's a very interesting time to be in this position. And I'm really honored to be able to help students who are navigating that and to prepare them for the realities of practice."

Kitching will soon join the faculty of a college in North Carolina, and throughout her doctoral studies, she has impressed those already working in the field - both at VCU and beyond.

"From the very beginning, Emily embraced challenges, took intellectual risks and pushed herself to develop the skills required of a researcher, teacher and future faculty member," said Patrick Mullen, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Special Education. "Her growth has been marked by curiosity, humility and a genuine desire to contribute meaningfully to the school counseling profession."

Kitching has been recognized repeatedly for her work. Accolades have come from the American Counseling Association (the Glen E. Hubele National Graduate Student Award); the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (the Exemplary Research and Assessment Award for a Doctoral-Level Student); the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (the Outstanding Graduate Student Doctoral Level Award); and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (the Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award).

The honors have been "validating," Kitching said, but they reflect her VCU experience.

"I really see this as a testament to in the mentoring and support I received from the counselor education program's faculty members, and the early investment that they made in helping me understand what research is and how it can help me reach my professional goals," she said.

Kitching, a first-generation college student, received her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Virginia in 2011. Her first career was in marketing and brand management for a financial services company, which she called "not a great long-term fit." After reconnecting with one of her former school counselors, she decided to change paths - and never looked back.

After graduation, Kitching will become an assistant professor at a university in North Carolina, and Mullen is sure of her success.

"Emily has a natural ability to connect with students, create supportive learning spaces and lead with both competence and compassion," he said. "Her recognitions affirm what we see daily: She is already contributing to the profession in significant ways, and she is well on her way to becoming an outstanding scholar and faculty member."

And for Kitching, a highlight of her doctoral experience will be its impact on her 4-year-old daughter, who is "very excited that she's going to come to my dissertation defense," she said. "For her to have these early experiences, I hope there's some value in that."