Outstanding Grad Spotlight: Delaney Dougher

Editor’s Note: The College of Education is delighted to recognize the 11 students selected by their programs and departments as 2026 Outstanding Graduates. View all our honorees.

Delaney Dougher’s love for the education field is very personal. School is where they discovered their passions, their path and their sense of self. For the past eight years, they have worked in assistive technology at a community college in their home community of San Diego — an experience that has enabled them to find joy via direct work with others.

“I feel honored to be able to facilitate a similar experience for other students that I work with,” Dougher said.

As a student in SDSU’s rehabilitation counseling master’s program (RCP), Dougher has broadened and deepened their knowledge of disability systems, counseling theory and the disability community. They particularly thrived under the mentorship of Associate Professor Toni Saia, Dougher’s graduate advisor. They selected Saia as their Most Influential Faculty Member for the way she modeled being a vocal, strong-willed advocate. 

“Toni simply oozes a passion for advocacy and disability justice, and this was something that connected with me instantly,” Dougher said. “Being able to center the politic of disability and tenets of disability justice from the beginning of this program was incredibly important for me and continued to fill my emotional cup.” 

Dougher added that their experience in RCP was fulfilling because of their cohort, many of whom they now consider friends that they hope will be their colleagues in the field of postsecondary education for years to come. 

“Having an exciting, challenging environment to get to know my colleagues makes me excited to see what we will do next,” they said.