Dr. Mark Schwarze, associate professor of clinical mental health counseling and program director in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling in Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education (RCOE), has been named the recipient of The Ella Stephens Barrett Award for Excellence in Professional Leadership from North Carolina Counseling Association (NCCA). He received the award at NCCA virtual conference, held February 25-27, 2021.
“This has been a very humbling experience to receive this award as it generally is awarded to people who have made a significant impact on the field of counseling in North Carolina,” said Schwarze. “I am in great company with past recipients.”
“I have been honored over the past five years to be a leader in the NCCA organization and currently in my appointed role on the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. I do hope I am providing a model for my students to be active advocates and leaders in the field.”
“I have been honored over the past five years to be a leader in the NCCA organization and currently in my appointed role on the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors,” he continued. “I do hope I am providing a model for my students to be active advocates and leaders in the field.”
The Ella Stephens Barrett Award for Excellence in Professional Leadership is the most coveted honor bestowed by NCCA. This award honors the memory of Miss Ella Stephens Barrett, former state supervisor of Guidance Services, and recognizes a member who has displayed outstanding leadership in the improvement and enhancement of the counseling profession.
The NCCA, the largest association for professional counselors in North Carolina and a state branch of the American Counseling Association, represents professional counselors in various work settings. NCCA represents diverse interests of its membership through an executive council, geographically located members, specialty organizations, and committees.
“Dr. Schwarze not only demonstrates excellence in leadership but a passion and fervor as a leader that quickly infects those who work alongside him,” said Dr. Sandy Acheampong, Interim Assistant Dean of Student Development and Academic Counseling at East Carolina University and Awards Committee Chair for NCCA. “As his nominator described him, if you work alongside Dr. Schwarze, ‘you can not help but share his energy, his drive, and his dreams for NCCA.’”
“This award commemorates Dr. Schwarze’s past and present outstanding leadership efforts in the improvement and enhancement of the counseling profession,” she added.
Schwarze earned a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from North Carolina State University, an M.A. in service agency counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a B.A. in English literature from Pembroke State University. He joined the RCOE faculty in 2014.
His research interests include mindfulness interventions in counseling and addictions treatment and counselor development.
Schwarze is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. He is also a member of the North Carolina Board for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors and a former President of the North Carolina Counseling Association.
Recently, Schwarze was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the North Carolina Board for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
Mark Schwarze
