New faculty head to lead ASU's Counseling and Counseling Psychology unit forward

Arizona State University’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (CISA) is pleased to welcome new faculty head for Counseling and Counseling Psychology Ayşe Çiftçi (pronounced eye-SHAE chief-T-CHEE).

A truly dedicated educator, Çiftçi's distinguished career includes a 16-year tenure at Purdue University, where she most recently served as the department head of educational studies in the College of Education. 

Through her leadership positions and scholarship, she has worked to identify critical factors and develop interventions that will help build more inclusive environments — particularly for marginalized communities — in educational and training settings.

Çiftçi's academic accolades are plentiful, including the American Psychological Association 2014 Presidential Citation, and she’s an APA Fellow in divisions 17 (counseling psychology) and 52 (international psychology). She has more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, has had research funded by the National Science Foundation and is a renowned keynote and international guest lecturer and presenter. 

“We’re delighted to have Ayşe join CISA to lead the CCP faculty in shaping the next generation of counselors and counseling psychologists,” said College of Integrative Sciences and Arts Dean Joanna Grabski. “The need is great for professionals who are dedicated to promoting the health of individuals, families, groups and organizations in a multicultural, diverse society.”

Çiftçi is excited to be a part of CISA’s team. 

“I am thrilled to have an opportunity to lead Counseling and Counseling Psychology (CCP) and be a part of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts leadership,” said Çiftçi. 

“CCP has such a strong reputation nationally and internationally. I am looking forward to leading the unit collaboratively with its amazing diverse faculty, students, alumni and community partners to a new future that is inclusive, innovative and socially responsive.”

CISA’s Counseling and Counseling Psychology unit offers two graduate degrees — the Master of Counseling and the PhD in counseling psychology — at ASU's Tempe campus, and bachelor’s degree programs in psychology (Polytechnic campus) and counseling and applied psychological science (Polytechnic campus and ASU Online); the latter includes a concentration in substance abuse and addictions.

CCP is also home to the ASU Counselor Training Center, which offers low-cost counseling services for ASU students, staff and faculty, as well as the larger community. Anyone living in Arizona is eligible for services.  

As Çiftçi settles into her Arizona life, she is enjoying her new surroundings. 

“It is fascinating to see the biodiversity of the Valley,” she said. “It’s quite an adjustment to the desert environment after living in the Midwest for 16 years and growing up on the coastal city of Izmir (in Turkey)!”

Çiftçi earned her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Memphis and an MS in psychological counseling and guidance, and BS in educational sciences from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.