Counseling & Student Affairs
Our Department in the News
Graduate student volunteers at HOTEL INC
WKU News, July 15, 2020
Elisabeth Hix, a graduate student from Bowling Green, Ky., continually challenges herself to find solutions to help her hometown. In 2012, Hix discovered her interest in understanding the root causes of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness and began volunteering at a local non-profit, HOTEL INC, which serves low-income and homeless Warren County citizens.
During her tenure at the organization, Hix joined WKU’s Addictions Education certification track to learn how to better serve her clientele. While in her courses, she realized a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling could offer means to address addiction processes and mental health disorders – both prevalent in homeless populations. Eight years later, Hix still serves these vulnerable communities and now works as the non-profits counseling intern where she provides a stabilizing process for those in crisis. Read more...
Student gains valuable mentoring experience at WKU before conquering Doctorate Degree
WKU Research Foundation, June 11, 2020
A student’s passions, dreams and aspirations can often truly be realized with the support of the right professor. At WKU, Jasmine Kelly found a mentor who did just this in Professor Monica Burke. Jasmine graduated from WKU in 2016 with a Master’s degree in Higher Education, and is now a Student Affairs Advisor at Georgia State University working for The Office of Black Student Achievement. Under the mentorship of Dr. Monica Burke, Jasmine undertook several initiatives at WKU that sharpened her skills and empowered her to eventually become a mentor herself. Today, Jasmine is also currently entering her fourth year as a doctoral student in the Higher Education Leadership Program at Clark Atlanta University. Both her current job and doctoral research were heavily influenced by her work with Dr. Monica Burke.
Leading the Outstanding Black Graduate Ceremony at WKU
In 2015, Jasmine was an intern in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at WKU. As her main project for her internship, her mentor, Dr. Monica Burke recommended her to be the intern for “The Outstanding Black Graduate Ceremony” in 2015, a cultural ceremony conducted each year by Dr. Burke. Read more...
WKU Professor teaches strategies to help students deal with stress
WKU Research Foundation, May 18, 2020
Today more than ever, dealing with stress is a vital part of college life. Along with common stressors, students must also contend with altogether new concerns due to the current environment regarding COVID-19: maintaining their health and the health of their loved ones; managing uncertain timelines for future course schedules; and complying with social distancing practices, to name a few.
These issues are at the heart of the work of Dr. Monica Galloway Burke, Associate Professor in WKU’s Department of Counseling and Student Affairs and Clinical Coordinator of the Student Affairs in Higher Education Program. “When we’re stressed, we don’t operate to our fullest capacity,” Dr. Burke says. “So, it’s vital to relax, engage in self-care, understand the mind-body connection, find ways to self-regulate, and learn how to utilize these tools when we’re stressed and overwhelmed.”
The primary role of a student affairs professional is to help college students deal with developmental transitions and cope with emotional difficulties. Becoming effective in this profession requires the complex integration of intrapersonal, interpersonal and professional knowledge, and Dr. Burke’s work is the embodiment of this. Read more...
Evans proves ready to address mental health
WKU News, May 13, 2020
WKU’s conferral of degrees means the successful completion of requirements for all graduates. This action also means the addition of Darrian Evans, an African American woman, to the mental health counseling field - now ready and equipped to address mental health stigmas in all populations, and especially those in underrepresented communities.
Evans, from Louisville, explained her research while in WKU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program taught her, “The number of therapists of color serving as psychologists, counselors and social workers as a whole is less than the number of clients of color that all three fields serve. In other words, there aren't enough therapists of color to serve the needs of underrepresented populations.”
Evans’ qualitative study titled Therapist of Color pulls information from the Health Resources and Services Administration and data from a combination of other sources.
“A lack of therapists of color may perpetuate the stigma of mental health in underserved communities as well as deter potential clients from seeing a therapist when needed. Lastly, when there is a lack of representation in the field, the mental health crisis will continue to increase rather than diminish without a variety of ethnicities serving,” Evans said. Read more...
Announcing the 2020 College Faculty Award Winners
WKU News, March 17, 2020
It’s my pleasure to actually send an email that reminds us of the “normal” things we do at our university! Each year, we recognize outstanding contributions by faculty members in the areas of teaching, research & creativity, service, student advising and part-time teaching. Please join me in congratulating this year’s college-level faculty award recipients who are also finalists for the university faculty awards (read more...):
Excellence in Research & Creativity: Monica Burke, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling & Student Affairs, CEBSExcellence in Service: Cheryl Wolf, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling & Student Affairs, CEBS
View from the Hill: Career shadowing in counseling and mental health
AuthoWKU News, February 20, 2020
Career shadowing can make a huge impact on people trying to figure out their future career. But with privacy laws, how do you pull back the curtain on careers in counseling? That’s where WKU’s Talley Family Counseling Center comes in as WKU’s Amy Bingham explains in this week’s View from the Hill
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has a program called SCK Launch, a partnership
with city and county schools and area businesses to provide insight into careers in
the area. When it came time to showcase careers in counseling and psychology, they
found the perfect partner in WKU. “There’s a lot of students who are interested in
mental health and mental health careers but because of HIPPA there’s not places they
can go in.” The people at WKU’s Talley Family Counseling Center jumped at the chance
to showcase careers in mental health to high school students. Read more...
WKU Faculty, Staff, and Students involved: Dr. Jill Duba Sauerheber, Dr. Cheryl Wolf, Todd Noffsinger, Darrian Evans, Bradley
Ginn, Jaime Gregory, and Grace Dickson.
Psychology student takes the JUMP by beginning master's junior year
WKU News, February 11, 2020
WKU junior Brooke Zarotny from La Grange, Kentucky first arrived on Western Kentucky University’s campus during a field trip in 2016 and quite literally, never looked back. “I loved how quaint Bowling Green was and all the wonderful features it had to offer. I was so excited as to how WKU was large enough to always be exciting and offer new experiences while also providing a kind and loving community,” Zarotny said. “In less than a day, I knew WKU was my dream school.”
Then, in the fall of 2017, Zarotny joined WKU’s freshman class. Zarotny declared psychology as her major; however, it was not until a meeting with her undergraduate advisor, Assistant Professor Dr. Sarah Ochs, that she truly understood how far her educational interests could take her.
“We were discussing what I’d like to do with my degree, and I told her that I wanted to be a therapist,” Zarotny said. “[Ochs] told me about the Counseling Masters that would certify me to do exactly that… then she shared even better news about [the] Counseling [program] also having a JUMP program for Clinical Mental Health.” Read more...
Seized opportunities impact Moore and other students' success
WKU News, October 31, 2019
WKU graduate student Lamario Moore came from Jackson, Mississippi, to Western Kentucky University for one reason. His one reason will ultimately benefit not only his academic career, but the success of many other WKU students.
“I chose WKU because of the unique opportunities that they afforded,” Moore said. In his second year in the Student Affairs program, Moore shows his desire to seize the opportunities afforded to him through participating on campus committees, advising student groups, and serving as a graduate assistant with the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) all while applying his coursework outside of the classroom.
The ISEC assists the university with recruitment and retaining minority students at WKU. “I assist with supervision of our Center mentors by holding bi-weekly one-on-ones to ensure academic and personal success,” Moore said. More than 60 students that participate in the ISEC programming have mentors call Navigators. The responsibility of working with mentors is an important one for Moore to contribute to in order to support student success. Read more...
Jessica P. Johnson Awarded $15,000 Counseling Fellowship From NBCC and Affiliates
NBCC Foundation, August 8, 2019
Louisville, KY—The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified
Counselors (NBCC), recently selected Jessica P. Johnson, of Louisville, Kentucky, for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors
(MFP-AC). As an NBCC MFP-AC Fellow, Johnson will receive funding and training to support
her education and facilitate her addictions counseling service to underserved minority
populations.
The NBCC MFP-AC is made possible by a grant awarded to the NBCC Foundation in collaboration with the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Foundation administers the MFP-AC, including training and collaboration activities, such as webinars, that are open to all National Certified Counselors (NCCs). The goal of the program is to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the available number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals.
The NBCC Foundation MFP will distribute up to $15,000 to Johnson and the other 39 master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award. Johnson is both a student and graduate of Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the clinical mental health counseling program. Upon graduation, Johnson plans to work with individuals struggling with addictions, including but not limited to drugs and alcohol. Read more...
WKU to recognize 2019 faculty award winners April 16
WKU News, Author: Academic Affairs, March 25, 2019
WKU annually recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty members in the areas of Teaching, Research & Creativity, Public Service, Student Advisement and Part-Time Teaching. The 2019 college award winners and finalists for the university-wide awards will be recognized at 3 p.m. April 16 in the Mahurin Honors College-International Center, room 1011 (read more...).
Excellence in Teaching: Cheryl Wolf, Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Plans Change: WKU grad shares story of changing plans, but not changing vision
WKU News, Author: December 12, 2018
Imagine at the age of 23 already being established in your career only to experience something that causes a change in plans and change in career trajectory. In July 2017, Bryan Blackwell changed plans, leaving Atlanta, GA to return to Bowling Green to earn a Master of Arts in Education focusing on Counseling and Student Affairs in Higher Education along with a Career Services certificate.
While in Atlanta, Blackwell had an occurrence with a rare illness followed by his mother having three strokes and a heart attack. “I know my mom sacrificed plenty for me to be successful - for me to wear the clothes I had on my back, the car I drove, the college I went to, and, the extracurricular activities I participated in,” Blackwell said. “So, if she sacrificed 26 years, I can sacrifice a year.”
Blackwell talked to Professor and Student Affairs Program Coordinator Dr. Aaron Hughey, Associate Professor Dr. Monica Burke, and alums of the Student Affairs program before applying. After working swiftly to complete graduate school application materials, Blackwell was accepted and started in the program in August 2017. Read more...
WKU honors faculty, staff at annual Convocation
AuthorWKU News, August 24, 2018
President Timothy C. Caboni presented the Spirit of WKU Award to Dr. Lacretia Dye.
WKU honored several university-wide award winners during the annual Faculty and Staff Convocation Friday (Aug 24).
The Spirit of WKU Award recognizes someone who represents WKU in a distinguished manner consistent with the vision, mission and spirit of the University. Dr. Lacretia Dye, Associate Professor of Counseling and Student Affairs, emulates a contagious spirit of engagement, enthusiasm and social interest. Since joining WKU in 2012, she has been an active member of the Hilltopper family, as well as an initiator of many organizations and social groups both on campus and within the community.
Although she was hired in a graduate-only department, she has reached out in numerous ways to the entire WKU campus and beyond. She developed “The Love Group” which serves to support the mental wellness of students of color on campus. She also created campus-wide “Drumming to Release: An alternative to Thirsty Thursdays” and “All Shades of Sisterhood” programs in efforts to build a community of support among students, faculty and staff. Because of her presence in the community, she is frequently invited to speak about mindfulness, yoga and wellness at both campus and community events. Read more...
WKU Regents appoint Atici, Hughey as University Distinguished Professors
Author: WKU News, May 11, 2018
The WKU Board of Regents on Friday (May 11) appointed Ferhan Atici and Aaron Hughey as University Distinguished Professors for 2018-19.
Dr. Atici, a professor in the Mathematics Department, has been at WKU since 2003. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of time scales and recently applied her expertise to modeling cancer tumor growth associated with certain types of treatment.
Dr. Hughey, a professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, joined the WKU faculty in 1991. His expertise in the area of Student Affairs and the interplay between curricular and co-curricular aspects of the college experience is helping students persist to graduation and be prepared for the world of work.
“This is the highest honor a university can bestow upon a faculty member,” Provost David Lee said. Read more...
WKU graduate students awarded counseling fellowships from NBCC Foundation
Author: NBCC Foundation, Author May 3, 2018
WKU graduate students Chelsea Spears (left) and Mary Cullen Servodidio (right) have been selected for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors.
The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), recently selected WKU graduate students Chelsea Spears of Tompkinsville and Mary Cullen Servodidio of Nashville, Tennessee, for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC).
As NBCC MFP-AC Fellows, Spears and Servodidio will receive funding and training to support their education and facilitate their addictions counseling services to underserved minority transition-age youth (ages 16–25).
The NBCC MFP will distribute up to $11,000 to Spears, Servodidio and 32 other master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award. Read more...
Black History Month Salute: Monica Burke
Author: WKU News, February 28, 2018
“Black History Month is an opportunity for our nation and the world to get beyond the simple narrative that has been told,” said Dr. Monica Burke, Associate Professor in the WKU Department of Counseling and Student Affairs. “It’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of people who are descendants of Africa.”
Dr. Burke said she grew up with strong African American leadership, her parents, who always taught her to abide by the Golden Rule.
“I think of my parents as the most influential African American leaders that I’ve known. My mother and father always tried to take care of their community. If someone in their community needed help with paying an electricity bill, they’d help out with that. If someone was hungry, they were welcomed to come by the house to get a plate of food,” said Dr. Burke. “My father owned a successful business, and my mother was a teacher until she left teaching to help my father with the business. The care they took with their business and their community always impressed me. I try hard to emulate what they modeled for me.” Read more...
Graduate student helps build new CCR certificate at WKU
AuthWKU News, August 1, 2017
When Rachel Bauer was in high school, she imagined herself on a very different career path. However, there was one persistent passion that continued to drive her forward: her love for people.
“Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to go into a helping profession. I was working in a hospital after I got my undergrad degree, and I realized that was not want I wanted to do. The field didn’t feel like a good fit for me,” Bauer said. “However, I knew I still wanted to work with people. My aunt, who is a school counselor in Evansville, invited me to come shadow her at work. I visited a couple times, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I knew I could see myself doing that job for many years down the road.”
Soon after, Bauer applied and was admitted to the School Counseling Program within the Department of Counseling & Student Affairs at WKU. Then, she set her sights on a graduate assistantship. Dr. Cheryl Wolf recruited Bauer for a graduate research assistant position revolving around college and career readiness (CCR). Their research has aided a collaborative partnership between the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Warren County and Bowling Green City school districts, and local businesses to better prepare high school graduates for the regional workforce. Read more...
WKU graduate student awarded counseling fellowship from NBCC
Author: NBCC Foundation, April 26, 2017
The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), recently selected WKU graduate student Holly C. Osterman of Bowling Green for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC). As an NBCC MFP-AC fellow, Osterman will receive funding and training to support her education and facilitate her addictions counseling service to underserved minority transition-age youth (ages 16–25). The NBCC MFP will distribute up to $11,000 to Osterman and the 30 other master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award.
Osterman, who received her bachelor’s degree from WKU in 2015, is pursuing a master’s degree in the clinical mental health counseling program. Upon graduation, Osterman looks forward to working with transition-age minority youth, specifically those who struggle with drug or alcohol addictions. Her interest lies particularly in recovery programs for the female population of underserved, low income, and rural areas where there are limited resources for treatment. Osterman hopes the Minority Fellowship Program will help to build her professional network within the counseling community while allowing her to complete the classes needed to obtain her Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure. Read more...
20 WKU Employees selected for 2017 Staff Leadership Institute
WKU News, Author: WKUJanuary 9, 2017
The WKU Staff Council’s Staff Leadership Institute (SLI) Committee has selected the SLI Class of 2017. Through a competitive process, the committee selected 20 WKU staff members to participate in the eight-month program, which develops leadership skills for a cohort of WKU staff who has demonstrated advancement potential. The SLI Class of 2017 participants are Andrew Gilliam, Joshua Montgomery, April McCauley, Tim McWhorter, Cyndia Tarrence, Chonda White, Marsha Hopper, Belinda Wisdom, Monica Hines, Sarah Reece, Ara Sprouse, Nathan Digges-Elliott, Melissa Hamlin, Chris Ware, Stephen Wood, Donna Kasznel, Christy Murphy, Kristi Smith, Shannon Bridges and Vicki Armstrong.
“Our goal is to provide a challenging program that provides staff with leadership skills that will help them excel personally and professionally at WKU,” said Cindy Ehresman, program manager of WKU Lifelong Learning. “Since the SLI’s inception in 2003, over 250 WKU staff have participated, and we are proud to partner with the WKU HR and Staff Council to provide a program for emerging leaders within our WKU community.” Read more...
8 WKU Faculty Members Selected for Program to Bosnia-Herzegovina
WKU News, December 1, 2016
Eight WKU faculty members representing seven departments and three colleges have been selected to participate in the fourth annual Zuheir Sofia Endowed International Faculty Seminar (ZSEIFS). Designed to infuse international content into the teaching, research and service of its participants, the ZSEIFS is a signature, comprehensive internationalization strategy made possible by the generous support of participants’ academic departments and colleges and the Zuheir Sofia endowment.
Faculty members selected for the 2017 ZSEIFS to Bosnia-Herzegovina are Brent Bjorkman, Folk Studies and Anthropology; Jennifer Brinkley, Professional Studies (Paralegal Studies); Amanda Crawford, Journalism & Broadcasting; Marko Dumančić, History; Kate Horigan, Folk Studies and Anthropology; James Kenney, Journalism & Broadcasting; Yvonne Petkus, Art; and Cheryl Wolf, Counseling and Student Affairs.
Under the direction of co-leaders Dr. Jerry Daday, Sociology, Gina Dzelil, WKU alumna in Business and German, and Addie Cheney, Assistant Director of International Programs, ZSEIFS participants will spend one semester analyzing both individually and collectively Bosnia-Herzegovina from multiple disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach enables faculty to forge connections across disciplines, providing a richer, deeper exploration of the target country. Read more...
Moriah Unique Corey Awarded $11,000 Counseling Fellowship From NBCC and Affiliates
NBCC Foundation, May 10, 2016
Louisville, KY—The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), recently selected Moriah Unique Corey, of Louisville, Kentucky, for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC). As an NBCC MFP-AC fellow, Corey will receive funding and training to support her education and facilitate her addictions counseling service to underserved minority transition-age youth (ages 16–25).
The NBCC MFP-AC is made possible by a grant awarded to NBCC by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in September 2014. The Foundation is contracted by NBCC to administer the NBCC MFP-AC, as well as training and collaboration activities, such as webinars, that are open to all National Certified Counselors (NCCs). The goal of the program is to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the available number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals. The NBCC MFP will distribute up to $11,000 to Corey and the 29 other master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award. Corey is a graduate of Thomas More College, in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and is currently a master’s student in the clinical mental health counseling program at Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green. After graduation, Corey plans to work with youth struggling with addiction. Read more...
Brittany Shantae McNear Awarded $11,000 Counseling Fellowship From NBCC and Affiliates
NBCC Foundation, May 10, 2016
Frankfort, KY—The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified
Counselors (NBCC), recently selected Brittany Shantae McNear, of Frankfort, Kentucky, for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors
(MFP-AC). As an NBCC MFP-AC fellow, McNear will receive funding and training to support
her education and facilitate her addictions counseling service to underserved minority
transition-age youth (ages 16–25).
The NBCC MFP-AC is made possible by a grant awarded to NBCC by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in September 2014. The Foundation is contracted by NBCC to administer the NBCC MFP-AC, as well as training and collaboration activities, such as webinars, that are open to all National Certified Counselors (NCCs). The goal of the program is to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the available number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals. The NBCC MFP will distribute up to $11,000 to McNear and the 29 other master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award. McNear is a graduate of the University of Louisville, in Kentucky, and is currently a master’s student in the clinical mental health counseling program at Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green. After graduation, McNear plans to work with adolescents battling with addiction. Read more...
Brandy Heavrin Awarded $11,000 Counseling Fellowship from NBCC and Affiliates
NBCC Foundation, May 15, 2015
Bowling Green, KY—The NBCC Foundation, an affiliate of the National Board for Certified
Counselors (NBCC), recently selected Brandy Heavrin, of Leitchfield, Kentucky, for the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors
(MFP-AC). As an NBCC MFP-AC Fellow, Heavrin will receive funding and training to support
her education and facilitate her addictions counseling service to underserved minority
transition-age youth (ages 16–25).
The NBCC MFP-AC is made possible by a grant awarded to NBCC by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in September 2014. The Foundation is contracted by NBCC to administer the NBCC MFP-AC, as well as training and collaboration activities, such as webinars, that are open to all National Certified Counselors (NCCs). The goal of the program is to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the available number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals. The NBCC MFP will distribute $11,000 to Heavrin and the other master’s-level addictions counseling students selected to receive the fellowship award. Heavrin is both a student and graduate of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, where she is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. After graduation, she would like to work with underserved individuals and families with a focus on those struggling with addiction. Read more...
9 WKU faculty members complete 2-week program in Ecuador
WKU News, Author: June 10, 2014
On May 31, the eight WKU faculty members selected to participate in the inaugural
Zuheir Sofia Endowed International Faculty Seminar (ZSEIFS), along with program leader Melissa Stewart (Modern Languages), completed
the international leg of what has been a semester-long exploration of Ecuador.
Participants in the two-week trip to Ecuador visited Universidad San Francisco de Quito, WKU’s partner university. Front row: (from left) Beverly Holland, Nursing; Ginny Pfohl, Psychology; second row: Addie Cheney, International Programs; Jill Brown, Liberal Arts & Sciences; Donielle Lovell, Sociology; Kelly Conroy, Modern Languages; Melissa Stewart (Leader), Modern Languages; back row: Aaron Hughey, Student Affairs; Albert Meier, Biology; Bill Pfohl, Psychology; Gil Holts, Aramark. (Photo by Neil Purcell)
An integral part of the International Year Of… program, the ZSEIFS facilitates an interdisciplinary exploration of each target country while providing opportunities for individual faculty to build connections and knowledge within their respective fields. Over the course of their 12 days in country, participants broadened their knowledge of Ecuador and its diverse historical, political, cultural and geographical landscapes. The late David Coffey (Agriculture), who was originally slated to lead the ZSEIFS to Ecuador, was integral in laying the foundation for this program. Read more...
Department of Counseling
and Student Affairs
Gary A. Ransdell Hall 3036
1906 College Heights Blvd. #51031,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030
(270) 745-4953
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