Research
I engage in empirical research that is mutually reinforced by my field engagement. My research projects are largely in response to concerns and inefficiencies expressed by practitioners. As such, I take great interest in ensuring my research has clear connections to improved practice and policy. Research projects center around the topics of college access and degree attainment, school counseling, and college admissions. Across these topics I highlight the systemic inefficiencies, and professional limitations that maintain educational inequality and offer field-based strategies to overcome them. As much as possible, my research is done in partnership with colleagues and graduate students.
Select Book Chapters
Rezai, N. & Savitz-Romer, M. (2025) Understanding how the CASEL and ASCA Frameworks work together. In The ABCs of SEL: An adaptive, balanced, and collaborative approach for school counselors, Ockerman, M. & Perry, K. (Eds). Corwin Press
DiLorenzo, J. & Savitz-Romer, M. (2024). Theory and developmental approaches. In Fundamentals of college admission, Gilfillan, B. & Tremblay, C. (Eds). National Association of College Admission Counseling.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Sink, C. (2023). Tier 1: Creating equitable systems of support and facilitating systemic change. In The school counselor’s guide to multi-tiered systems of support. Goodman-Scott, E. & Betters-Bubon, J. (Eds) Routledge.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Cook, A. (2022). Bridging the research to practice gap. In Research in the schools: Advancing the evidence-base for the school counseling profession, Zyromski, B. & Dimmitt, C. (Eds). Oxford Press.
Polk, W., Savitz-Romer, M. & Brion-Meisels, G. (2021). Dismantling white supremacy in school counselor training programs: Preparing counselors to enact anti-racist practices. In Antiracist counseling in schools and communities. Holcomb-McCoy, C. (Ed). American Counseling Association
Rowan-Kenyon, H., Savitz-Romer, M. Ott, M.*, Swan, A. & Liu, P.* (2017). Finding conceptual coherence: Trends and alignment in the scholarship on noncognitive skills and their role in college success and career readiness. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research 32, 141-179.
Brion-Meisels, G., Savitz-Romer, M., & Vasudevan, D. (2016). Not anyone can do this work: Preparing youth workers in a graduate school of education. In The Changing Landscape of Youth Work: Theory and Practice for an Evolving Field, K. Pozzoboni & B. Kirshner (Eds.). Information Age Press.
Select Peer Reviewed Articles
Savitz-Romer, M., DiLorenzo, J.*, Nicola, T., Nicola, M., Munoz-Galvez, S., Ha, J., & Desiderio, A.* Necessary but insufficient: High school counselors’ informal learning experiences writing letters of recommendation. (in press).
Savitz-Romer, M., Nicola, T., Ha, J.*, Munoz-Galvez, S., DiLorenzo, J.* & Desiderio, A.* Referencing adversity: School counselors’ approaches to writing college recommendation letters. (under review).
Rowan-Kenyon, H., Creps, R.*, Carroll, S., Brown, L.*, & Savitz-Romer, M. Quality, value and use: Admission Officers perspectives on counselor recommendation letters. (under review).
Savitz-Romer, M., Brown, L.*, Carroll, S., Creps, R.*, & Rowan-Kenyon, H. Do no harm: Admission officer sensemaking of the high school counselor recommendation letter. (under review).
Savitz-Romer, M., Rowan-Kenyon, H. T., Nicola, T. P., & Carroll, S. (2025). Boundary spanning in state education agencies: How state officials support school counseling. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 33.
Savitz-Romer, M., Nicola, T.*, Rowan-Kenyon, H., & Carrol, S.* (2023) A landscape analysis of state-level school counseling policy: Perspectives from state officials. Education Policy,38(2), 421-444.
Rowan-Kenyon, H., Carrol, S.*, Nicola, T.*, & Savitz-Romer, M.S. (2023) School counselors and college counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Review of Higher Education.
Alexander, E.*, Savitz-Romer, M., Nicola, T.*, Rowan-Kenyon, H., & Carrol, S.* (2022). We are the heartbeat of the school: How School Counselors Supported Student Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Professional School Counseling Journal 26(1b).
Savitz-Romer, M., & Nicola, T.* (2021). An Ecological Examination of School Counseling Equity. Urban Review, 54 (2), 207-232.
Savitz-Romer, M., Rowan-Kenyon, H., Nicola, T.*, Carrol, S.*, & Alexander, E.* (2021). When the kids are not alright: School counseling in the time of COVID- 19. AERA Open, 7.
Select Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
Nicola, T., Dilorenzo, J.*, & Savitz-Romer, M. (2023). Rethinking recommendation letters: A critical tool in holistic admission. Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly, November 16.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Nicola, T.* (2022). The promise of school counselors: Why they are essential for students’ and educators’ well-being. American Educator, Summer 2022.
Savitz-Romer, M & Rowan-Kenyon, H. T. (2020). Noncognitive skills, college success, and career readiness: What matters and to whom? About Campus, March – April, 2020 4-8.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Cook, A. (2022). Bridging the research to practice gap. In Research in the schools: Advancing the evidence-base for the school counseling profession, Zyromski, B. & Dimmitt, C. (Eds). Oxford Press.
Savitz-Romer, M, Colletta, L.* & Duarte, D. (2020). Leadership for a strong school counseling program, Principal Leadership, March 2020.
Savitz-Romer, M. (2019). No counselor left behind The Learning Professional, 40(3),
Savitz-Romer, M., Rowan-Kenyon, H., & Fancsali, C. (September/October, 2015). Non-cognitive skills for college and career success. Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 47(5), 18-27.
Bouffard, S & Savitz-Romer, M. (2013). Helping peers pave the way to college. Middle Ground Journal.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Bouffard (2012). Self-regulation leads to student success. The School Counselor, 50(2), 10-14.
Bouffard, S & Savitz-Romer, M. (2012). Ready, Willing, and Able: A developmental approach to college and career readiness puts students at the center. Educational Leadership, 69 (7), 40-43.
Savitz-Romer, M. & Jager-Hyman, J.* (2009) Stronger Together. Principal Leadership 9(8), 48-53.
Savitz-Romer, M. (2008). The Urban Challenge. The School Counselor, 46(2),12-19.