Waganesh (Waggy) Zeleke is an Associate Professor of Mental health Counseling in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Zeleke is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania, Montana, and Maryland, and she is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Dr. Zeleke obtained her doctorate in counseling from the University of Montana. Her research centers on the intersection of culture, context, and mental health within healthcare and educational systems. Dr.Zeleke has received more than 18 awards, including US Fullbright Scholar,  Carnig African Diaspora Fellowship, the Cultural Diversity Research Award of the International Society for Autism Research,  Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Teaching Award from Duquesne University, where she taught Master's and Doctoral courses before she moved to VCU. She has authored over 35 articles and book chapters and presented at more than 65 professional conferences, focusing on autism, p trauma, immigrant mental health, and parenting. Dr. Zeleke has led or contributed to various research grants in immigrant mental health, trauma intervention, autism, and social skills training. She offers counseling, supervision, and consultation services in her clinical work, specializing in trauma-informed treatment, mindful practice, parenting, autism intervention, and culturally responsive mental health and wellness care. Dr. Zeleke is an Associate Editor for Frontiers Special Needs Education.