Counselor Education Faculty, Students Shine at National Conference

October 29, 2015

Tim Grothaus

Old Dominion University's doctoral Counseling and Human Services program has an impressive track record of scholarship, both in the publication of research, and the placement of graduates around the country.

The Darden College of Education program is also making an impact disseminating the research of its multi-disciplinary faculty. At the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) conference earlier this month in Philadelphia, a total of 49 Old Dominion presenters delivered 60 presentations on topics ranging from experiential learning, to school counselor training, to dealing with minority and LGBT communities.

In addition, Ed Neukrug, professor of Counseling and Human Services, had a booth in the conference exhibitor hall, displaying the array of textbooks he has written for counselor training.

Jane Bray, Dean of the Darden College, said she knew well about the reputation of Old Dominion in Counseling and Human Services before coming to the University.

"I'm not surprised at the breadth of this scholarship, but I am certainly impressed. Faculty and students in Counseling and Human Services, and department chair Tim Grothaus, should be very proud of their efforts," Bray said.

In addition to the peer-reviewed presentations, new Old Dominion faculty member Gulsah Kemer, assistant professor of Counseling and Human Services; and Darden College doctoral student Maddie Clark were named "Emerging Leaders" in the field and were invited to a preconference institute. Only a handful of doctoral students and new faculty accrue this honor every two years.

"Approximately half of our presenters were current students and faculty, and the other half were recent alums who are now teaching in universities from coast to coast," said Grothaus, chair and associate professor of Counseling and Human Services. "The group provided great representation and visibility to Old Dominion University."

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.

The ACES conference, the leading gathering for counselor educators and their students in North America, is held every two years.