A.J. Metz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah and serves as Director of the M.Ed. Program in School Counseling and Coordinator of the Strategies for College Success course offerings. She earned a M.Ed. in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling in 1997 and a Ph.D. in Urban Education (specialization in Counseling Psychology) in 2005 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her research examining factors related to academic and career success in underrepresented and underserved student populations has led to numerous journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, workshops, and faculty in-service trainings. 　 A.J. has extensive teaching, counseling, and career advising experience in high schools, community colleges, and four-year public and private institutions of higher education. She is passionate about mentoring students and recently received the University of Utah Early Career Teaching Award. She is engaged in community service that promotes STEM education, school success, and access to college.