Nick R. Abel

Dr. Abel currently serves as Associate Dean of Graduate and Adult Learning Programs in the College of Education.  He first joined the faculty as Assistant Professor in 2013, obtained tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor in spring 2019, and served as Chair of COE Graduate Learning & Teaching Teams and Director of the MS in School Counseling program from 2019 to 2024.  Prior to starting at Butler, Dr. Abel worked as a professional school counselor at the elementary and high school levels, and he earned an EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Minnesota State University – Mankato in 2013 following completion of his dissertation titled, Academic Resilience in African American & Latina(o) High School Students: A Study of GPA, Emotional Intelligence, & Perceptions of Discrimination.  Dr. Abel is interested in teaching and research that supports the effectiveness of school counselors, including the efficacy of specific interventions, the use of data and evidence-based approaches, and strategies to build comprehensive school counseling programs.  Dr. Abel is also active on many university committees and workgroups and has a keen interest in expanding graduate studies within COE and across the university.