Gitima Sharma

Dr. Gitima Sharma is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation at California State University, Fresno. She earned her M.A. in Counseling from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Pennsylvania State University. She holds a PPS credential and brings over 15 years of counseling experience across diverse settings, including K–12 schools, universities, rehabilitation centers, career centers, and community agencies. Dr. Sharma integrates her clinical expertise with her academic work to mentor future counselors and therapists in developing their professional identity as leaders, advocates, and change-makers within and beyond higher education.

A distinguished scholar, Dr. Sharma has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 50 national and international conference presentations. Her research focuses on purpose development, positive psychology, and mental well-being. She has received multiple awards for her scholarship and service, including the AERA Seed Grant, the RSCA Award, the Service-Learning Faculty Award, and the Graduate Initiative 2025 Award. Her expertise has also been recognized by institutions such as Stanford University and organizations like Google, where she has shared research-informed and humanistic insights on transforming stress, self-doubt, and burnout into purpose, unconditional self-worth, and fulfillment.

Dr. Sharma is deeply committed to peace, empowerment, and global citizenship. As an active member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), she has led workshops, dialogues, and exhibitions on human dignity, empowerment, and global peace, including Victory over Violence, Creating a Culture of Peace, and the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Peace Exhibition at Fresno State. Her work is guided by principles of humanism and Buddhism, emphasizing reflection, compassion, and the inherent dignity and potential of every individual.

Bridging scholarship, consulting, and mentoring, Dr. Sharma’s overarching purpose as a scholar–consultant is to cultivate a culture of care and mental well-being, helping individuals and communities overcome the root causes of stress and burnout while fostering authentic meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life and work.