Working with Rana as my disability studies mentor has profoundly shaped my growth as both a scholar and a human. She brings deep care, integrity, and a radical commitment to disability justice that goes far beyond theory—it’s something she lives and practices. From our very first meeting, Rana honored my humanity, consistently checked in on my goals, and co-created plans that felt both supportive and empowering. Her mentorship never felt transactional; instead, it modeled what it means to center care as a radical, scholarly, and liberatory act. Because of Rana’s guidance, I feel more confident defining my ideas, taking in new perspectives, and boldly imagining a more inclusive, intersectional future for higher education.

Capria Berry, MS, PhD Candidate
Former Mentee

Associate Director, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program, New York University

Dr. Yaghmaian was compassionate yet rigorous, challenging me to stay, grow, and become the instructor I aspired to be. What she did for me may seem small, yet the impact was profound; she saw me in all my identities. She neither avoided nor coddled me but engaged with my whole personhood. I was not alone in feeling this way—many of us respected Dr. Yaghmaian's ability to see us in our unique identities, creating the basic acceptance and safety needed for learning and growth.

Dr. Yaghmaian has been a pivotal mentor and colleague, helping me grow in confidence and clarity as a teacher. With each successful class I complete, I am reminded of her invaluable support—whether sorting student affairs, role-playing difficult conversations, polishing my writings and syllabi, providing late-night pep talks, or constantly challenging me to care for myself as much as I care for my students. I have never encountered such a generous colleague, and without Dr. Yaghmaian’s mentorship and support, I would not be who I am today.

Pamela Ganem, MS, LPC

Former Student

Adjust Professor, Portland State University

The impact of Dr. Yaghmaian’s leadership in the department and in our community is palpable. I have witnessed in many group facilitation contexts how the lens of Disability Justice that she brings to all aspects of her work creates inclusive, generative spaces for participants. In my mind, this is crucial work and a much needed framework that is integral to the evolution of the counseling field as a discipline committed to the well being of all people. She listens deeply and addresses the most sensitive and challenging topics with care.

Dr. Yaghmaian helps all of us to become more aware of how we operate within systems of oppression, and empowers us to make a difference in our own ways.

Michael Namkung, MS

Former Student

During her tenure as Department Chair, Dr. Yaghmaian provided the leadership our department needed during such a critical time. Her ability to lead with both strength and empathy helped foster a supportive and productive environment, ensuring that both faculty and students felt valued and motivated. Our department has been through a lot the past several years and Dr. Yaghmaian guided us through these transitions with grace.

Dr. Yaghmaian consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels heard and seen. Her inclusive approach has cultivated a sense of community and safety within our department like I have never felt before. She has an exceptional ability to listen to diverse perspectives and incorporate them, ensuring that our collective voice shaped the direction of our department.

Kim Douglas, MS, CRC

Practicum and Internship Coordinator, Portland State University

Her record is truly amazing when viewed through the lens of her contribution as a Department Chair and Program Coordinator. She embraced the Chair position with humility and an openness to lead and learn. She faced some grueling challenges for a new leader, all while navigating budget shortfalls. Her ability to navigate these challenging situations allowed the students and faculty in the Counselor Education graduate programs to be successful. Her ability to make sound decisions under incredibly stressful situations is noteworthy.

Tina Peterman, PhD, LPC

Professor, Portland State University

Dr. Yaghmaian has been an inspiration and support as I adapt to my role as a newer faculty member. She has been a constant person of support and guidance, a resource of ideas and innovation, and provides insight and challenge when needed. I often seek insight and support from her, and cannot emphasize enough the encouragement, guidance, and wisdom I have received.

Whether it is focused on syllabi, course design, cohort dynamics, student challenges, or personal support, Dr. Yaghmaian is innovative, caring, and collaborative. She is able to link research and theory to her work as an educator and mentor and cultivates these skills in those around her.

As department chair, I have been witness to her grace and compassion, and steady leadership. As we have moved through the last several years and navigated many hardships, locally and globally, Dr. Yaghmaian has been deeply dedicated to improvement and change. I have been deeply impacted by her as a mentor and leader, and appreciate the effort and time she dedicates to this facet of her work.

Lindsay Vik, PhD, LPC

Assistant Professor, Portland State University

As a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision, I often reflect on my experience with Dr. Yaghmaian when contemplating the educator I aspire to become. Throughout my tenure, Dr. Yaghmaian has consistently provided invaluable guidance and unwavering support. Her presence has been a constant source of reassurance, particularly during moments of uncertainty.

Despite the demanding nature of her role as department chair, Dr. Yaghmaian has remained an exceptional leader, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our students, upholding the values of our college, and supporting her colleagues. Her leadership style, characterized by compassion and a focus on equity, has created an environment conducive to growth and excellence within our department.

Dr. Yaghmaian's ability to balance the myriad responsibilities of her position while maintaining a supportive and inclusive atmosphere is truly commendable. Her presence elevates the quality of education at our University, exemplifying the type of educator our field needs as we strive to ground our practice in principles of equity, justice, and advocacy.

April Dodson, MS, LPC, Doctoral Canditate

Clinic Director, Portland State University

Since I’ve known Dr. Yaghmaian, she has been a passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated leader as chair of the department. I’ve witnessed her commitment to creating a supportive environment for students and faculty, considering a variety of needs and experiences and working to ensure the most fruitful education for counselors in training. Further, Dr. Yaghmaian integrates a focus on social justice and issues around power, privilege, and systemic oppression in her work as department chair and as an instructor, something I appreciate deeply as a person who shares those values.

Emily Berry, MS, LPC

Adjunct Professor, Portland State University

While in the midst of COVID19, she skillfully navigated transitions to in-person learning, addressed political events and injustice with a fierce, yet compassionate spirit, and resolved concerns and disputes from students and faculty, all while balancing various roles and responsibilities. Dr. Yaghmaian is a truly remarkable individual who demonstrates resilience and initiative with a heart of gold.

Olivia Kim, MS, QMHP-R

Former Student

As department chair, Dr. Yaghmaian does the impossible job of juggling endless competing demands, and does so with grace, professionalism, warmth, and efficiency. Dr. Yaghmaian never loses sight of the humanness of what we do, and reflects that in her role as department chair and working so hard to make this program accessible to students. Despite her packed schedule, Dr. Yaghmaian extends opportunities to students to be mentored by her.

She is an example of how to live within one’s values while navigating the demands of a large institution. I have seen her support her fellow faculty members through challenges, always keeping people’s humanity central while still addressing issues at hand. She is, quite literally, the best supervisor I have ever had.

Amanda Mercer, MS

Former Student and Graduate Assistant

Through the challenges of COVID-19 and the social crises of the past three years, Dr. Yaghmaian has offered a trustworthy, clear voice of leadership in the interest of community care and safety for students and faculty alike. Dr. Yaghmaian consistently created space for students to share concerns and build community.

I also happened to observe her engaging in community advocacy in her personal time, which set a powerful example for me and helped me feel a sense of belonging at PSU and in the counseling field when I otherwise may have felt disconnected.

April Slabosheski, MS

Former Student

As a Fellowship mentor, Dr. Yaghmaian has already made a positive impact in a short amount of time. Coming into the mentor matching process, the Fellow we matched her with named a desire for support in developing frameworks to guide their project. They had expressed apprehension around the task ahead, feeling daunted and needing guidance on how to embark on such a lofty endeavor. After a few mentorship meetings, the Fellow has, in both group spaces and individual check-in with me, praised Dr. Yaghmaian for her patience and wisdom.

Dr. Yaghmaian’s mentorship style is an asset to the program as well because of her alignment with disability justice principles. Her commitment to sustainability and anti-capitalism shone through her willingness to adapt herschedule in order to provide her mentee time and space to recalibrate and address higher need priorities before returning to the program and their project work. Her mentee has reflected on what value that spaciousness has been for their ability to recenter and witness the possibility of people in positions of power extending that type of care.

Alex Locust, MS, CRC

Emerge Program Coordinator, San Francisco State University

When it came time to facilitate the event, Dr. Yaghmaian was incredible. Not only were staff able to receive the presentation slides ahead of time (folks who needed the slides ahead of time truly praised her timeline), but Dr. Yaghmaian commanded the room with so much care and curiosity, many staff who don’t often voice their opinions or thoughts were incredibly active, engaged, and enthusiastic to be in the space.

The training was interactive, with activities for reflection, incorporated differing tools of learning (such as videos, pictures, and writing), and provided a space for strategy and action planning–which encouraged staff to thought-partner and see themselves as part of the solution.

Many staff have thanked me for inviting Dr. Yaghmaian to facilitate, and are looking forward to the next iteration of the work with her.

Ruby J. White, Director of Culture and Community, P5 Center for the Arts