Biography

Dr. Emma Pasiuk (she/her) started teaching at BSU in the Spring of 2026. She teaches clinical/counseling-based courses including multicultural counseling skills, behavioral & cognitive interventions and psychopathology & wellness. She completed a Ph.D. in companion animal science at Texas Tech University and a M.A. in counseling psychology at the University of Saint Thomas with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy. Her background includes clinical experience as a mental health counselor and certifications as an equine specialist in mental health and learning. Her research interests and peer-reviewed publications investigate the biopsychosocial (e.g., heart rate variability, affect/mood, behavior) impacts on humans and horses during their interactions and the mental health benefits of equine-assisted services. When she’s not on campus or prepping for classes, her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and cats (Louie & Juniper), reading, painting and nature walks around Bemidji. Her favorite thing about Bemidji is the access to public land, exploring new trails and having interactions with the wildlife in the Northwoods.