Academic Impact
Opening Doors, Expanding Possibilities
Before she ever stepped into a classroom at Auburn University’s College of Education, Danny Dore was already thinking about the future, of counseling, of technology and of the communities she hoped to serve.
“We’re looking at how AI is helping out with the future,” Dore said. “So, we’re looking at VR counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and what they think about AI and their perspectives.”
Her work also examines how students interact with AI in academic settings, a topic gaining national attention as universities navigate the opportunities and ethical considerations of emerging technologies.
“We’re looking at how students are interacting with AI in classes,” Dore said. “People are exploring how we can use it as a tool, but also how we can be mindful of it ethically. At the end of the day, it’s about staying human-centered, staying person-centered.”
This forward-looking research is just one example of the doors Auburn has opened for her, doors she never imagined until a pivotal moment in her undergraduate years.
The pathway to Auburn
Dore first learned about Auburn’s College of Education through the Ronald E. McNair program, which supports first-generation students in pursuing doctoral studies.
“Specifically, I knew it was counseling that I was interested in, so I was allotted the opportunity to come and actually visit Auburn,” she said.
That visit revealed a community of faculty deeply invested in student success and committed to preparing counselors who are ready to meet the evolving needs of the field.
“What drew me to Auburn’s College of Education specifically was how well-versed the faculty and the professors are and the resources that they were providing,” she said. “They will help you and make sure you have the resources you need.”
For Dore, those resources, and the people behind them, have been transformative.
“I know that there are people who will vouch for me and look out for me even later on down the line,” she said.
At the end of the day, it’s about staying human-centered, staying person-centered.”
A scholar who stands out
Among the faculty who have watched Dore flourish is Jill Meyer, professor and director of Counselor Education. Meyer describes Dore as a standout student whose strengths span research, service and clinical preparation.
“Danny has really stood out as a student,” Meyer said. “She is amazingly strong in her areas of focus and research as well as service. It’s very encouraging to see students like Danny come into our programs.”
Meyer notes that Dore’s curiosity and commitment elevate not only her own work but the learning environment for her peers.
A well-rounded counselor and researcher
Dore speaks often about the intentional way Auburn prepares students to be both practitioners and scholars.
“They’re cultivating us to be well-rounded as clinicians, well-rounded as researchers, and also to personally and directly care for the community in a practical aspect,” she said.
Research, she believes, is essential to that development.
“I think it’s really important for students to conduct research with other faculty and professors, in the sense that research provides you an opportunity to develop skills, to explore curiosity, to gain understanding of the scientific field,” she said.
Her work in AI is just one example of how Auburn empowers students to explore emerging issues and contribute meaningfully to the profession.
“Everybody wants the best professional counselors and therapists that they can find, and that’s who we create,” Meyer said.
A future built on opportunity
As she looks ahead to a career as a psychologist, Dore credits Auburn with helping her see her own potential, and with giving her the tools to help others see theirs.
“Auburn’s College of Education has opened up doors for me in the sense that it has allowed me to see my potential as a researcher, as a student and as a future clinician in the hopes of improving the lives of others in the future as a psychologist,” she said.
Her journey is not just about her own growth. It’s about lifting others along the way.
“And not only knowing within myself but also encouraging others to see what’s in themselves as well,” she said.