UTSA doctoral student Swathi Weaver to join Eastern Oregon U faculty

MAY 15, 2025 — Meet Swathi Weaver, a passionate counselor educator and researcher who has dedicated her academic journey to advancing the conversation on mental health and eating disorder risks among Indian American women, even creating her own podcast on the topic. Weaver will be graduating this May with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Hear about Weaver’s UTSA journey.

What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in Counselor Education?

SW: I always knew I wanted to become a professor and clinical supervisor. After working in the counseling field for several years and gaining practical experience, I felt ready to pursue formal training. My goal is to educate and mentor the next generation of counselors, bringing both professional experience and academic expertise to the classroom.

Can you talk about your research and how that led to starting a podcast?

SW: My dissertation addresses a critical research gap by exploring eating disorder risks among Indian American women. I noticed a lack of specific research on this population, despite Indians comprising a significant portion of the world’s population.

Complementing my research, I created “Dosas and Mimosas” podcast, which explores body image and mental health stigma among South Asian women. The podcast features a range of guests sharing personal experiences, creating a platform for important conversations about cultural identity and mental health.

What leadership roles have you held during your academic journey? 

SW: I served as president of the Sigma Alpha Chi chapter of the counseling honor society, Chi Sigma lota, for three years, a role that allowed me to host events and workshops and to provide mentorship to counseling students. Additionally, I worked as a graduate research assistant on the PITCH Expanded Providers Integrated Care grant, where I trained master’s level clinicians in integrated health care settings. These experiences have been instrumental in developing my leadership skills and understanding collaborative health care approaches.

What are your plans after graduation?

SW: I will be joining Eastern Oregon University as a full-time faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. In this role, I will be teaching and mentoring master’s-level students who are preparing to become licensed mental health counselors. My work will include developing and delivering coursework in counseling theory and practice, supporting students through their clinical training experiences, and contributing to the ongoing growth of the CMHC program.

In the next leg of her career, Swathi Weaver will be helping train a new generation of mental health counselors.

I’m especially excited to help shape the next generation of counselors as they prepare to serve various communities and promote mental health and wellness across the region. I am also excited to grow my clinical supervision business for licensed professional counselor associates, drawing on my passion for mentoring emerging professionals.

Ultimately, I hope to specialize in counseling Indian clients, using my research and insights to provide culturally sensitive mental health support.

— Katelyn Juarez