The Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions welcomes the following new faculty members starting next fall.
Julie Berrett-Abebe, PhD, LICSW
Dr. Berrett-Abebe brings extensive interdisciplinary experience, having held clinical and research positions at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and several other health organizations. Her research focuses on the study of social determinants of health, directly resulting from her experience as an oncology social worker.
Dr. Berrett-Abebe was an assistant professor at Westfield State University and has also held teaching positions at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Simmons University School of Social Work, and Smith College School of Social Work. She earned a dual Master’s in Social Work and Pastoral Ministry from Boston College and her PhD in social work from Simmons University in Boston.
Dilani Perera, PhD, LPC-S, LDCD
Dr. Perera is currently a professor and the coordinator of counseling at University of Houston Clear Lake with 14 years of academic and ten years of clinical experience. She has worked in school settings, prisons, and community agencies. Her research interests are in multicultural issues in counseling and the training and clinical supervision of counselors-in-training. Dr. Perera received her PhD in counselor education from University of Toledo and will chair the Counselor Education Department.
Mike Regan, PhD, NCSP
Dr. Regan began his career in education as a bilingual teacher and after receiving his sixth year certificate in school psychology, he worked as a bilingual school psychologist in New Britain for eleven years. He then earned his 092 certification and moved into the field of special education administration. Most recently he has been the lead consultant to the Eastern Fairfield County Diagnostic Center, which he also co-founded.
Dr. Regan has taught as an adjunct professor in the school psychology program at Fairfield for the last decade and was named the ’18 - ’19 Graduate Adjunct Teacher of the Year. His professional service includes president of the CT Council of Administrators of Special Education (ConnCASE), chair of the CT Supervisors of School Psychology, and member of many CT Legislative Commissions, among others. Dr. Regan received his PhD in school psychology with a specialization in pediatric neuropsychology from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.
LaTasha Smith, PhD, LCSW
Dr. Smith is a seasoned clinician with expertise in the assessment and treatment of undergraduate college students. Since 2014 she has served as a senior staff therapist at Vassar College while also overseeing the office's training program. Additionally, Dr. Smith is a Sotomayor Fellow/Equity and Inclusion Consultant for Smith College's School of Social Work, providing confidential consultation to students, faculty, and staff regarding equity and barriers to access related to race, gender, and ability.
She has taught at numerous institutions, including Columbia University, Smith College, and Marist College. Most recently, Dr. Smith was appointed as a visiting faculty member at the University of Global Health Equity-Rwanda, instructing first-year medical students. She earned her MSW from Loyola University School of Social Work and her PhD in social work from Smith College. Her research focuses on intersectionality and the experience of mental health related to race, gender, and class.
