Christopher D. Slaten, PhD, serves as Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Slaten researches the issue of academic belonging and how it impacts career and academic outcomes for marginalized youth and college students. This has led to work predominately in alternative high schools, schools with large population of students living in poverty, and research on first generation college students.

Dr. Slaten’s passion for this line of research has produced 39 peer-reviewed publications,  national presentations, national press recognition (Wall Street Journal), and several invited lectures. Further, Dr. Slaten’s scholarly work has led to additional publications focusing largely on advocating for school counselors to conduct more mental health services in K-12 settings, specifically related to counseling interventions that have a strong emphasis on marginalized youth and social justice initiatives.

Dr. Slaten will be accepting new doctoral students in the Counseling Psychology program for the 2025-2026 school year.

Affiliations

The Belonging in Education Research Lab

Areas of Expertise

• Academic Belonging (Higher Education and K-12 Education)
• Educational Equity and Inclusion for Marginalized Youth
• Mental Health Services Advocacy in K-12 Schools
• School Counseling Training