Nicole A. Cobb

Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Human and Organizational Development
Non-Core Faculty, Human Development Studies
Non-core Faculty, Independent School Leadership
Non-core Faculty, Human Development Counseling

Research:  Professor Cobb has worked in education for 25 years as a teacher, school counselor and administrator at the district and state level.  Her professional experience has allowed her to link research to practice in the field of school counseling, specifically as it relates to school climate, social-emotional learning, college access and school counselor effectiveness. Before joining the faculty in the school-counseling program of the Department of Human and Organizational Development in the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University she was the Executive Director of School Counseling for Metro-Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and was appointed by Governor Bredesen as Director of School Counseling for the State of Tennessee during his term in office. She currently serves as Associate Chair for the Department of Human and Organizational Development and is the Director of the Human Development Studies Master’s Program.

Teaching:  Professor Cobb’s teaching has included Social, Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling, Foundations of School Counseling, Exceptional Education and the DSM, Counseling for College Access, Internship for School Counselors and Educating the Whole Child for Independent School Leaders.

Service:

International: International Society for Policy Research and Evaluation in School Based Counseling

National: ASCA, CAEP Advisory Committee; ACTE, Counseling and Career Development Division Vice President; National Career Academy Coalition Advisory Council

State: Tennessee Counseling Association- President; Governor Lee’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Council

Community Engagement:  Professor Cobb is on the Board of Directors for TEDxNashville and serves NAZA Youth Development Work Group.  

Representative Publications

Forber-Pratt, A.J., Hanebutt, R., Minotti, B., Cobb, N.A. & Peagram, K. (in-press). Social emotional learning & motivational interviews with middle school youth with disabilities or at-risk for disability identification. Education & Urban Society.

Bardhoshi, G., Cobb, N., & Erford, B. T. (2019). Determining evidence-based outcomes in school age youth: A synopsis of free-access instruments for school counselor use. Professional School Counseling.

Cobb, N., & Mosley, C. (2019). Leveraging CTE to create safe and supportive school environments. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 94(2), 16-17.

Mosley, C., Cobb, N., & Elliott, K. (2018). Teaching outside the box. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 93(7), 46-49.

Doctoral Dissertation:

Cobb, N. (2011). Progressing Towards the Implementation of the Tennessee Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs: A Study of School Counselor Priorities and Practices (Doctoral dissertation). University of Tennessee.