SERC Department

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Alumni Spotlight!
Claire Swedenburg
Special Education
Auburn University

We are excited to announce Claire Swedenburg to our team as our new Reading Coach! Mrs. Swedenburg has been teaching for 13 years with 6 of those years at IES as a Special Education, Kindergarten, and 3rd Grade teacher. Claire has a Bachelor’s of Education in Collaborative Special Education K-12 from Auburn University and is currently pursuing her Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Montevallo. In her free time Mrs. Swedenburg enjoys exercise, traveling with her husband, and listening to podcast. She and her family of 4 are proud to call Inverness home. Congratulations on your move Mrs. Swedenburg!

09/10/2026

Student Spotlight!
Ainsley Watts
Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
Auburn University

💙 INTRODUCING AINSLEY 💙

What is your major/what do you plan to do after you graduate?
• I am a senior at Auburn University studying Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. I plan to get my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy after graduation.

Why did you want to complete your internship at Auburn TLC?
• I previously had the opportunity to shadow at TLC, and I loved getting to observe Mrs. Katie and Ms. Bella. They were so welcoming, positive, and willing to answer all of my questions. The way they treated their patients strengthened my passion for occupational therapy, and I knew I wanted to be back at TLC if I had the opportunity!

Fun fact??
• I got to go on a Therapy Abroad trip this summer to Bulgaria and Greece!

09/10/2026

Student Spotlight!
Kayce Mckenzie
Special Education
Auburn University

Please welcome Mrs. Kayce Mckenzie!

Mrs. Kayce Mckenzie is excited to join the Vance Elementary family as a Special Education teacher. Entering her third year in special education, she brings experience from both resource and self-contained classroom settings. After teaching in a resource classroom during her first year, she transitioned to a self-contained classroom, where she discovered her passion for supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Mrs. Mckenzie earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and is currently pursuing her master's degree at Auburn University. She is committed to continuing her education so she can provide the best possible support and learning opportunities for her students.

Mrs. Mckenzie believes that every child has unique strengths and the ability to succeed. Her guiding philosophy is: "Every child has the ability to learn. Some just learn in different ways, and some simply need a little more time." She strives to create a classroom where every student feels valued, encouraged, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Mckenzie enjoys spending time with her husband, whom she considers her best friend, and their seven wonderful children.

Mrs. Mckenzie is looking forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff at Vance Elementary and is excited for a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and success.

09/09/2026

Are you interested in becoming a counselor?
Join us for our CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Virtual Open House!

September 23, 2026
12 pm cst
Zoom Meeting ID: https://auburn.zoom.us/j/83212567155

November 12, 2026
4 pm cst
Zoom Meeting ID: https://auburn.zoom.us/j/83672193052

09/09/2026

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT!
Tyler Grant
School Counseling
Auburn University

Tyler Grant’s path from Auburn to the New York City metro area reflects a story of purpose, preparation and possibility. A 2023 graduate of Auburn’s School Counseling Program, Grant recently saw her Auburn story celebrated in a highly visible way: she was featured on a College of Education banner displayed outside the college’s flagship building. Read Grant's story at the link in the comments.

09/08/2026

Interested in one of our Counseling programs at Auburn University?
We are CACREP accredited!

*Counselor Education PhD
*Clinical Mental Health Counseling MEd
*School Counseling MEd
*Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling MEd

For more information:
[email protected]
www.auburn.edu/serc

09/08/2026

Auburn University’s Counselor Education doctoral student Gwendolyn McDowell Ferrell, and Dr. Latifat Cabirou recently hosted a roundtable discussion at the International Conference of Community Psychology (ICCP) in Lagos, Nigeria. Great job!

09/08/2026

Dr. Latifat Cabirou recently facilitated in a workshop at the International Conference of Community Psychology (ICCP) in Lagos, Nigeria. Her presentation was coauthored by two of Auburn University’s Counseling Psychology doctoral students, Rasheed Adeyemo and Se Hoon Kim. Great job everyone!

09/04/2026

Meet Jessica Allen, the Academic Instruction Coordinator for the EAGLES Program in Auburn University's College of Education. Learn more about Allen's work with our EAGLES students at the link in the comments.