Leigh Bagwell

Dr. Leigh Bagwell is a member of the School Counseling Core Faculty in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University. Bagwell joined Capella in the spring of 2022 shortly after completing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. She began her career as an elementary and middle school counsellor before moving to leadership and supervisory roles in school counselling for preK-12 education in both urban and suburban school districts then ultimately serving as the Director of School Counseling Services for the Tennessee Department of Education. As a school counselling educator and leader, her mission is to provide school counsellors and administrators with the training and resources needed to deliver high quality, student driven, data informed comprehensive school counselling programs to all students. She believes when school counsellors and school leaders work together to all students have access to the opportunities and supports they need to successfully move through their elementary, secondary, and post secondary education into their chosen career.

In addition to her work in Tennessee, Bagwell partners with school counsellors and school counselling leaders throughout the USA using her experiences and knowledge to build their capacity to more effectively serve students. She has written numerous books and has served as a consultant on several SEL children’s books. She has conducted research on mental health supports for students and families and is a consultant with an international organisation developing tools and materials that help school counsellors deliver effective school counselling programs to all students. Dr. Bagwell’s hope is to equip and empower school counsellors to use their unique knowledge and skills to advocate and support all students to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.