Yolanda V. Edwards
Position: Chair, Professor and Program Coordinator Department: Rehabilitation Counseling
Contact Info
Office: C024 C Anderson Center Phone: 336-750-2586 Mobile: 803-528-1575 Fax: 336-750-2914 Email: edwardsyo@wssu.edu
Biography
Dr. Edwards is Professor and Department Chair for Rehabilitation Counseling. She teaches research, group counseling, and placement courses. Edwards has 25 years of experience in rehabilitation education. Previously, Edwards was an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and the University of South Carolina (USC). Since 2002, she has served as a PI and/or co-PI of fifteen grants with nine different RSA grants at three universities. She has authored several articles and book chapters dealing with rehabilitation education, distance education, and minority disability issues on transition and mental health issues. Edwards also has held several leadership positions in state and national professional organizations, such as: Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling (JARC), past president of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA, 2008-2009), chair of professional standards for ARCA and past chair of Council on Development and Collaboration (2016-2022), past secretary of National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (2005-2009) and serves as a reviewer for Rehabilitation Education Journal, Journal of Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling Education Journal (RCEA).
Educational Background
- BS, Biology, South Carolina State University
- MA, Rehabilitation Counseling
- PhD, Rehabilitation Counselor Education
Research and Project Interests
- Rehabilitation Education
- Rehabilitation education as it relates to recruitment and retention of minority students and rehabilitation counselors
- Distance education and technology in counseling
- Minorities with disabilities with a focus on mental health and school to work transition
Articles in Refereed Journals
(* designates refereed, + designates invited)
Phillips, B., Boland, E.A, Edwards, Y.V., & Zanskas, S. (2022). Prologue: The Future of Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Associations. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal 11(22), 1-9.
+Edwards, Y.V., Dock. R.E., Rogers, K.G., & Cartwright, B. (2015) Winston-Salem State University Rehabilitation Counseling Program. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal, 7(2), 2-5.
Moore, C.L, Johnson, J., Manyibe, E., Washington, A.L., Uchegbu, N.E., Cross, K.E., Hollis-Staten, B., Turner-Whitaker, T., & Edwards, Y.V. (2012) Policy and Systems Issues Limiting the Participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Federal Disability Research Agenda. Rehabilitation, Research, Policy, and Education, 26(1), 67-82.
*Edwards, Y.V., Betters, C., Caldwell, T., Chamberlain, Fowler. D, Rogers, R, & Worthy, K. (2011). Racial/Ethnic Differences in Transitional Vocational Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal. 5(1) 40-48.
*Edwards, D., Jackson, V, Graves, H, Hudson, D. Edwards, Y.V. (2011). Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Teaching Approach at Health Sciences Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Journal of Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity: Research, Education, and Policy 601-614.
*Talley, W., Edwards, Y.V., Smiling, Q., Smith, E. (2007). Tomorrow's Leaders: Recruiting and retaining the next generation of rehabilitation professionals. Rehabilitation Administration, 31 (2), 91-100.
Books
Edwards, D.W.& Edwards, Y.V. (2015). A Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Chapters in Books
Edwards, Y.V. (2015). Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. In D. Edwards & Y. Edwards. A Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Boston, Q., Edwards, D., Duncan, Edwards, Y.V. & Mendez, E. (2013). Supported Employment. In J. Andrews & Faubion, C. (3rd Eds.) Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional.
Larkin, V., Edwards, Y., Edwards, D,. Wilson, K.B. (2013). Multicultural in Diversity. In J. Andrews & Faubion, C. (3rd Eds.) Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional (Submitted January 2012)
Edwards, Y.V., Porter, D. & Edwards, D. (2007). Rehabilitation Technology: It's More Than Assistive Technology. In C. Flowers, Leung, P., Sanderson, P., & Talley, W. (Eds.), Diversity in Rehabilitation.
Selected Grants Awarded
24 grants proposed at 10.395 million dollars, 16 awarded grants - $6.62 million dollars.
Principle Investigator/Director: Long term Training Grant: Rural Vocational Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Counseling Masters). Submitted 8/2019. Awarded: 10/1/2019 U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services. Budget: 199,999 per year for five years 2019-2024 ($999,999). (Winston-Salem State University).
Lead Principle Investigator: REACHE Rams Employment and Community Health Equity. Submitted 12/05/2015. United Way of Forsyth County Place Matters and Civic Budget: $379,676 per year for three years ($915,298). Awarded. $269,000 (2016-2017)
Principle Investigator/Director: Long term Training Grant: VR Rural Transition for Underrepresented Groups (Rehabilitation Counseling Masters). Submitted 2/2015. Awarded: 10/1/2015 U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services. Budget: 199,216 per year for five years 2015-2020 ($995,000). (Winston-Salem State University).
Principal Investigator/co-Director. Capacity Building Grant VR Rural Transition for Underrepresented Groups. Proposed 6/10/2010 from U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services. Budget: 190,000 per year for five years - $950,000. (Winston-Salem State University). Received 10/2010 to 10/2012 $589,800.
Principle Investigator/Director: Long term Training Grant: Rehabilitation Counseling Masters. Submitted 11/2007. Awarded May 2008- 2013 from U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services. Budget: 150,000 per year for five years ($750,000). (Winston-Salem State University).
Principal Investigator/co-Director. Project Title: Long term Training Grant: Deafness & Hard Hearing. Submitted 11/2007 and Awarded August 2008 - 2013 from Department of Education Office and Special Education and Rehabilitation Services Administration. Budget: 100,000 per year for five years ($500,000). (Winston-Salem State University).
Peddani, R. & Edwards, Y.V. (2016). Finding a job in Academia: A panel discussion, National Council on Rehabilitation Spring Conference. Newport Beach, CA. April 20-22, 2015.
Pitt, J., Brown, A., Atkins, B., Cartwright, B.Y., Carey, C., Edwards, Y.V., Johnson, N., Shannon, C., Vaughn, S., & Shamburger Rousseau, A. (2015). From Surviving to Thriving as a Black Woman in Academia, Presentation at the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns Annual Training Conference, Charlotte, NC.
Bernacchio, C. & Edwards, Y.V (2015). Pedagogical Challenges with Online Clinical Preparation for Rehabilitation Counseling. National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference. Newport Beach, CA. April 24, 2015.
Edwards, Y., Edwards, D., & Whittaker, T. (2010). Successful Strategies for VR for HBCUs. RSA Directors Conference. Arlington, VA. August 2, 2010.
Edwards, Y. (2010). Predictors of Success on the CRC Exam for Minority Servicing Institutions rehabilitation Counseling Programs: What does it mean for HCBUs? National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. Las Vegas, NV. July 24, 2010.
Edwards, Y. & Caldwell, T. (2010). Racial/Ethnic Differences in Transitional Vocational Rehabilitation". National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference. Manhattan Beach, CA. April 8, 2010.
Edwards, Y., Burney, N. & Caldwell, T. (2010). "Predictors of Success on the CRC Exam for Rehabilitation Counseling Programs". National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference. Manhattan Beach, CA. April 8, 2010.
Edwards, Y.V., Betters, C., Rogers, R., Caldwell, T., Fowler, D., Chamberlin, H. & Worthy, K. (2009). Serving Rural Youth with Special Needs: A Comparison of African American and Latino Youth in the State of North Carolina. National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns 16th Annual Conference. Memphis, TN. July 25. 2009.
Rehabilitation Counseling - Graduate
REH 5303 – Group Counseling
REH 5318 - Helping Relationship and Techniques
REH 6301 – Vocational Placement
REH 6306 – Rehabilitation Research
REH 6310 – Project
Rehabilitation and Human Service - undergraduate
RHS 4304 Aural Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology *
RHS 3303 Rehabilitation Research - *
James F. Garrett Award, 2023, American Rehabilitation Counseling Association. Distinguished Career in Rehabilitation Research includes excellence in research contributions over one’s career. The nominee’s published research should span at least 15 years and focus on rehabilitation counseling.
Sylvia Walker Education Award, 2012; National Association Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns.
Joyce Keener Meritorious Service Award, 2006; National Association Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns.
Henry C. Welcome Fellowship 2003-2006; $20,000 grant research and education expenses. Granting Agency: Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Books
Edwards, D.W. & Edwards, Y.V. (2015). A Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO
Book Chapters
Edwards, Y.V. (2015). Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. In D. Edwards & Y. Edwards. A Case Study Approach to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Boston, Q., Edwards, D., Duncan, Edwards, Y.V. & Mendez, E. (2013). Supported Employment. In J. Andrews & Faubion, C. (3rd Eds.) Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Larkin, V., Edwards, Y., Edwards, D., Wilson, K.B. (2013). Multicultural in Diversity. In J. Andrews & Faubion, C. (3rd Eds.) Rehabilitation Services: An Introduction for the Human Services Professional. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Edwards, Y.V., Porter, D. & Edwards, D. (2007). Rehabilitation Technology: It’s More Than Assistive Technology. In C. Flowers, Leung, P., Sanderson, P., & Talley, W. (Eds.), Diversity in Rehabilitation. Aspen Professional Services, Linn Creek, MO.
Fabian, E. & Edwards, Y.V. (2005). Community Mental Health and African Americans. In Harley. D. & Dillard, J.M. (2005). Contemporary Mental Health Issues Among African Americans. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Online Training Modules/Publications Reviewed by Peers
(Modules can be found on euniversity.crccertification.com)
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Ethnicity and discrimination. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg, IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Gender discrimination. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg, IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Discrimination based on international cultures. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg,
IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Discrimination based on
disability. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg,
IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Race discrimination. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg, IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Socioeconomic status discrimination. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg, IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Discrimination based on sexual orientation. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg,
IL.
Wilson, K. B., & Edwards, Y. (2016). Age discrimination. Multicultural Counseling Competencies for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. CRCC e-University. On-line Module for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Schaumburg, IL.