Two programs in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling (HPC), which is housed in Appalachian’s Reich College of Education (RCOE), returned from the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) conference in Seattle, Washington, with two awards from the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES): Outstanding Graduate Student Award and Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education and Supervision Program Award. The conference was held October 10-13, 2019.
“These awards help validate the quality of our counselor education programs and students,” said Dr. Amy Milsom, professor and chair of the department. “SACES is the largest regional division of ACES, comprised of very active counselor education programs, faculty, and graduate students.”
“These awards help validate the quality of our counselor education programs and students,” said Dr. Amy Milsom, professor and chair of the department. “SACES is the largest regional division of ACES, comprised of very active counselor education programs, faculty, and graduate students.”
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Robyn Honer, from Raleigh, North Carolina, received the Outstanding Graduate Student - Master's Level Award. The award is given to acknowledge master’s students who exceed the demands of the master’s program. The recipient shows exceptional promise for a productive career in counseling through early evidence of ability and commitment to serving clients and developing a professional identity.
“I am honored to have received this award and be recognized by SACES for my efforts in this program.” said Honer. “I feel so lucky to have such exceptional faculty that believe in me and are constantly encouraging me to find innovative ways to contribute to the field of school counseling.”
Robyn Honer (center) with Professional School Counseling faculty members Dr. Glenda Johnson (left) and Dr. Lucy Purgason (right). Photo submitted.
"Robyn is deeply committed to school counseling and our program here at Appalachian State,” said Assistant professor Dr. Lucy Purgason.
“During her time in the professional school counseling program she has demonstrated leadership through her service commitments and scholarship,” Purgason continued. “Her impact on the program will continue to be felt after she graduates and I look forward to hearing about her future successes in the field."
Honer is a second-year graduate student in the Professional School Counseling program (K-12). The program prepares students to meet state licensure requirements and to prepare counselors for elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education and Supervision Program Award
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (CMHC) received the Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education and Supervision Program award. The award is designed to acknowledge programs that educate master’s level students. Programs nominated for this award demonstrate outstanding pre-service and in-service training in core and specialty areas.
“The award is a prestigious recognition of the excellence of the CMHC program’s students and faculty,” said Dr. Mark Schwarze, assistant professor and program director.
Drs. Dominique Hammonds, Christina Rosen, and Mark Schwarze accepted the “Masters Education Program of the Year” award on behalf of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program faculty and students. Photo submitted.
“We are very proud of the work we do to train students to be excellent counselors,” continued Schwarze. “Our students go on to do important work and are leaders in the field.”
The CMHC program is designed to prepare counselors and other helping professionals to work in a wide variety of human service agencies (including mental health centers, social service agencies, employment and rehabilitation centers, business and industry employee assistance programs, etc.). Various specialized course emphases are available.
About ACES and SACES
The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) is the premier organization dedicated to quality education and supervision of counselors in all work settings. ACES members are counselors, supervisors, graduate students and faculty members who strive to improve the education and supervision of counselors in training and in practice. Learn more at https://www.acesonline.net.
SACES was founded in 1949 as the Southern region of the National Association of Guidance Supervisors and College Trainers and renamed to the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (Southern ACES or SACES) in 1961. As the southern region division of ACES, SACES has over 2,000 active members consisting of counselor educators, supervisors, and students from 14 southern states including: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Learn more at http://www.saces.org/.
Award
