Get to know the newest members of the COE faculty
The San Diego State University College of Education welcomes three new tenured/tenure-track faculty members for the fall semester. Learn more about Afarin Rajaei, Zhen Zhao and Xiwei Zhu.
Afarin Rajaei (She/Her/Hers)
Associate Professor, Counseling and School Psychology
Director, Marriage and Family Therapy M.S. Program
Afarin Rajaei is an expert in couples and family therapy, with a focus on medical family therapy, relational ethics and culturally responsive clinical practices. Previously an assistant professor at Alliant International University, her research and teaching activities center on the intersections of gender, trauma and systemic care, as well as the integration of AI tools in education and clinical work. She serves as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Systemic Therapy, sits on the advisory board of the Telehealth Certification Institute and regularly presents on the ethical and clinical implications of AI in therapy to regulatory boards.
Passionate about supporting individuals and families in navigating complex emotional and relational challenges, Rajaei finds deep meaning in bridging clinical practice with research and education — especially when it leads to more inclusive, ethical and transformative care. She is fueled by seeing students, clients and communities grow through connection and dialogue.
Rajaei was born in Iran and moved to the U.S. as a young adult, an experience that shaped her deep commitment to culturally responsive care and inclusive education. Outside of work, Rajaei enjoys poetry, traveling, watching movies, spending time in nature, hanging out with friends and exploring the intersections of art, healing and storytelling. She and her husband share their home with a poodle aptly named Joy, who she calls “the light of our life.”
Zhen Zhao (He/Him/His)
Assistant Professor, Child and Family Development
An expert in human development and family science, Zhen Zhao studies the social determinants of health disparities and identity development through an intersectional lens. He conducts community-engaged research to support the wellbeing of queer individuals and other marginalized populations. His work integrates empirical research with applied teaching, and he actively engages students in research projects to promote experiential learning and critical inquiry.
Deeply committed to social justice and challenging systems of inequity, Zhao is driven to understand how identity, environment and lived experience intersect — particularly being part of the queer family — and to use that insight to promote more inclusive, supportive and equitable outcomes in both research and practice. After completing his doctoral studies, Zhao served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology at Fordham University.
Zhao is a third-generation Korean immigrant born and raised in China who currently lives in the U.S. He is a proud queer individual who loves how his life has been shaped by multiple cultures. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring great food, hiking and traveling.
Xiwei Zhu (She/Her/Hers)
Assistant Professor, Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education
The College of Education’s new assistant professor of quantitative research methods, Xiwei Zhu, studies issues of diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education. Specifically, she investigates how faculty and those in student support roles can most effectively engage in inclusive approaches.
Committed to fostering institutional support, particularly for community college faculty, Zhu advocates for robust professional development initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching practices, enriching learning experiences and optimizing student outcomes. Her research expertise spans various methodologies, encompassing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches.
Before joining SDSU, Zhu was an assistant professor at California State University, Stanislaus. Born and raised in China, she enjoys Disney and Universal Studios theme parks.
