CHI SIGMA IOTA
ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

Friday, March 28, 2008

 

CONGRATULATIONS to all individuals and chapter CSI award recipients!

 

THANK YOU to all who took time to prepare the nomination materials and write letters of support.  A heartfelt THANK YOU to the members of the Awards Selection Committee!

 

 

Chi Sigma Iota 2008 Awards Committee

Dr. Julie Stephan – Chair - Saint Xavier University
Dr. Susan A. Adams - Texas Woman’s University
Dr. Valerie Balog – University of North Carolina - Charlotte
Kelley Barnett – University of Memphis
Erin Berry - University of Virginia
Aunja Leis Bishop - Xavier University

Sarah Brown – Georgia State University

Dr. Robert Eschenauer – Lehman College
Dr. Richard Hazler – Pennsylvania State University

Rachel Hoffman - Kent State University

Dr. Daniel Kissinger – University of Arkansas

Dr. Carl Sheperis – Mississippi State University

Christina Stuive - Western Michigan University

Michelle Toth - University of Akron

Dr. Heather Trepal – University of Texas – San Antonio
Dr. Jacqueline A. Walsh, California University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Lois C. Wedl, St. Cloud State University

 

 

No member of the Awards Committee reviewed nominees or voted in categories in
which his or her chapter or a chapter member was a nominee.

OUTSTANDING NEWSLETTER AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

            The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding Chapter Newsletter

 

            The following criteria were used in the selection process:

 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION AND SELECTION

Ø      Regular publication schedule

Ø      Established record of publication

Ø      Format and graphics

Ø      Content

Ø      Types of articles, regular columns, etc.

Ø      Distribution

Ø      Scope

Ø      Involvement of chapter members in production

 

 

Upsilon Theta Chi’s newsletter stands out for its clear and attractive layout.  Reviewers noted that it is an extremely professional publication, with colorful page design, artistic pictures, and intriguing articles about issues relevant to both student counselor and seasoned professional.  Each issue highlights an organizing theme, and each article, editorial, and feature reveals different aspects of the theme and its relation to the counseling profession.  As one nominator noted, “most impressive is the core of service that is woven throughout the newsletter, as individual voices are heard and common

experiences are revealed on many levels.”  The newsletter is published in both the fall and spring semesters under the direction of chapter president Amy Pedigo and advisor Dr. Virginia Magnus.

 

 

The Beta Upsilon News has been described as a “staple piece” of the Beta Upsilon puzzle, a publication that has been formalized and passed on for “generations” in Barry University’s history.  One nominator noted that its consistency has been paramount in continuing further development of the chapter’s academic and professional scope.  The News has a distinctive style, incorporating professional-quality photographs with an impressive variety of well-written, interesting articles focused on the concerns of members and happenings within the counselor education program at Barry University, Floridian counseling associations, and national counseling issues.  The newsletter--edited by Lisa Bailey--evidences clear student involvement in production under the advisement of Dr. Sylvia Fernandez.  Most noteworthy, according to reviewers, is the depth and breadth of the issues, incorporating many facets of the counseling field.

 

 

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

The purpose of this award is to recognize a single outstanding Chapter program that provides professional development or community service

 

            The Outstanding Individual Program is to include some of the following criteria:

 

Ø      Planning for program, committee involvement, length of time

Ø      Recruitment strategies, advertising, media, brochures, etc.

Ø      Attendance at Program

Ø      Program itself:

o       Goals, topic and speakers, importance to field, availability of CEUs

o       Outreach for participants beyond Chapter membership

o       Impact on professionals, professionalism, excellence, etc.

o    Community service

 

 

To foster the development of counselors and school counselors, the Beta Chi chapter hosts an annual Wellness Conference.  This year’s event was attended by over 60 persons.  Students presented poster sessions on their respective areas of research, and Dr. Denise Ben-Porath presented an overview of the Dialectical Behavior Theory model and practical interventions for the use of mental health workers in their work with parents and children.  Additionally, a silent auction was held using donations from local merchants, raising $800 for the chapter scholarship fund.  Chapter members, along with advisor Dr. Paula Britton, diligently worked to make the event a success.  Participant evaluations were extremely positive, commenting on the enlightening but practical nature of the material, smooth transitions, and the level of knowledge gained.  One participant noted it was “one of the best workshops ever, both in its content and its professionalism.”

 

 

 

 

Eta’s individual program was motivated by the shootings that occurred at Virginia Tech last spring.  Members collected money from the school and various local businesses to provide funds for Virginia Tech’s chapter of CSI, hoping to support and replenish their resources during a difficult time. Funds were raised using various local media sources, which enhanced the public recognition of professional counseling and the work counselors do.  After matching the money donated during the week, Eta sent a care package with $400, including cards signed by concerned CSI members and other YSU students proclaiming “We are all Hokies” and a small stuffed Pete the Penguin, YSU’s mascot.  Dr. Gerald Lawson, the Tau Eta Kappa faculty advisor, expressed sincere thanks to chapter advisor, Dr. Victoria Kress, commenting that it was not the money that was most helpful, but the sense of solidarity—the coming together of counselors—that assisted them in maintaining morale.  Ultimately, a special reception was held in which Dr. Lawson met and thanked Youngstown State University students and faculty and spoke regarding the departmental and chapter role in responding to the crisis.  This reception was covered by local media and helped to inform the public about how the shootings continue to affect Virginia Tech and the role of the counselor in the healing process.

 

 

OUTSTANDING CHAPTER AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding Chapter activities (i.e. newsletters, other publications, individual programs, brochures, web pages, recruitment strategies, chapter growth, planning, programs, networking and/or evidence of professional development).

 

            The Outstanding Chapter will be chosen based on the following criteria:

 

Ø      Percent of initial membership maintained after one year

Ø      Number and type of meetings and programs during the year

Ø      Organizational structure - officers, committees, etc.

Ø      Newsletter, web page and other means to maintain contact with members

Ø      Annual Report submission with follow-through

Ø       Activities to promote goals of CSI - scholarship, accomplishments, etc.

 

 

 

 

As a large and exemplary chapter, Mu Tau has accomplished a great deal due to its energized, proactive means of involving student and professional members and by creating an organizational process that is both responsive and strong in CSI foundations and principals. Under the direction of advisors, Lyndon Abrams and John Culbreth, and with consistent monthly meetings, on-going project development for new initiatives, and active involvement by departmental faculty, the members of Mu Tau have been hard at work promoting both the organization and the counseling profession.  In the community, the chapter has been very actively involved in service projects.  Additionally, much fundraising has enabled extensive and varied professional development projects for counseling program students, counselors in the community, and the university community itself.  As one reviewer noted, “the wide range of social events and professional activities have reinforced chapter ideals while generating a great deal of interest in the chapter and respect for the counseling profession.”

 

 

This year’s Outstanding Small Chapter exhibits a strong organizational structure with highly productive monthly executive meetings and active members, as evidenced by the year’s activities.  Chapter President Michael Knoblauch-Damery notes that, besides numerous professional and scholarly programs and social activities, the chapter also reaches out to the community to support mental health consciousness and awareness of the counseling profession.  Members are encouraged to stay in touch with leadership and each other through a newsletter, published four times a year, and multiple meetings and social events.  In addition, the chapter has a strong awards program, including a scholarship for practicum/internship students.  One reviewer notes that “the Beta Phi chapter, under the advisement of Dr. Nancy Sherman, has, for several years, been the professional counseling organization in the Central Illinois area, providing high quality professional development that exemplifies excellence in counseling.”

OUTSTANDING WEB PAGE AWARD

 

 

The Sigma Tau Sigma website is an extremely informative resource with a highly professional appearance that includes current chapter announcements, pictures and short biographies of chapter leaders, executive council meeting minutes, useful documents, a calendar of events, chapter bylaws, and links to chapter newsletters, upcoming conferences, and other relevant organizations at the local, state, and national levels.  The online scrapbook is an attractive, unique, and interesting addition to the webpage, chronicling the year’s chapter activities in pictorial and written form.  The website, maintained by Chapter Webmasters Kim and Jason Frueh, is extremely user-friendly, well designed, and frequently updated.  Reviewers noted that other chapters can look to this website as an example of what is exciting and new! 

 

OUTSTANDING ENTRY LEVEL STUDENT AWARD

 

Purpose of  Award

 

The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual CSI Chapter member who has excelled in scholarship, extracurricular involvements, service to the chapter, and evidence of excellence and commitment to the profession.

 

            The following criteria were used in the selection process:

 

Ø      Grade point average

Ø      Extracurricular activities

Ø      Service to Chapter

Ø      Service to profession

Ø      Evidence of excellence

Ø      Professional work experience

Ø      Copy of his/her vita

 

 

Karlyn Cunningham has been described as a natural leader with exceptional merit and competence, who combines a great deal of initiative with planfulness and great enthusiasm for the counseling profession.  An exemplary student, Karlyn has presented professionally multiple times at various levels.  She is completing both school and community counseling tracks, and nominators say she has handled her two internships and two additional, outside jobs, as well as her ongoing studies, with diligence and grace.  Additionally, Karlyn’s service to the Eta chapter has been continuous during her master’s career. She currently serves as both the Mentoring and Social chair.  Karlyn was the student who initiated the Virginia Tech care package of cards, funds, and a stuffed mascot penguin, which was sent to Virginia Tech and won the Individual Program award this year.  She has been highly involved in several other important initiatives and has been described as indispensable to the chapter.    

OUTSTANDING DOCTORAL LEVEL STUDENT AWARD

 

 

Purpose of Award

 

The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual doctoral level CSI Chapter member who has excelled in scholarship, extracurricular involvements, service to the chapter, and evidence of excellence and commitment to the profession.

 

            The following criteria were used in the selection process:

 

Ø      Grade point average

Ø      Extracurricular activities

Ø      Service to Chapter

Ø      Service to profession

Ø      Evidence of excellence

Ø      Professional credentials

Ø      Professional work experience

Ø      Copy of his/her vita

 

 

Nominators and reviewers alike noted that Melissa Luke has made very significant contributions as a doctoral student.  In the area of scholarship and research, Melissa has five book contributions, three refereed journal articles and another in progress, eight non-refereed publications, and nine national presentations, all since 2006. Melissa has also been actively involved in university, local, and national service activities.  She has served as a professional consultant in her community as well as an editorial board member of Professional School Counseling and the Journal of Counseling and Development.  In addition, she has served as a committee member and liaison for several professional counseling associations.  As a member of Sigma Upsilon, Melissa organized a highly successful professional development workshop series, worked with students to publish the chapter newsletter, maintained the chapter bulletin board and website, and was instrumental in planning the Syracuse University School of Education Centennial event.  Melissa has continued to work as a counselor for students with disabilities through much of her doctoral study, and master’s-level students with whom she works have said they greatly benefited from her strong teaching abilities and the fact that she infuses practice with theory.  As a nominator describes, “through each of these activities, Melissa seeks to contribute as well as continue to learn and grow.” 

 

 

 

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CHAPTER AWARD

 

 

Purpose of Award

 

The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual CSI Chapter member who has excelled in scholarship, service to the chapter, extracurricular involvements, and evidence of excellence and commitment.  Service to the Chapter must clearly be demonstrated.

 

            The following criteria were used in the selection process:

 

Ø      Documented evidence of helping a chapter to develop, grow, and meet CSI purposes and goals.

Ø      The nominee may be a Chapter Faculty Advisor, officer, chapter member, student, faculty member, or graduate.

Ø      All nominees must be active members of CSI chapter.

 

 

 

Cheyenne Pease-Carter has held multiple, varied positions over the last three years within the organizational structure of Rho Kappa Chapter.  Nominators wrote glowingly of her efforts this year in spearheading the development and implementation of eight professional development programs, targeting programs which would ensure a mixture of attention to excellence in clinical practice, academic success, and excellence in counselor education for students at all stages of their programs.  When the chapter considered encouraging a team for 2007 ACA Ethics Competition, Cheyenne volunteered as team leader, and the department’s team won first place.  Additionally, Cheyenne volunteered to help faculty with an Honors Gala to recognize excellent alumni, an endeavor that raised $1000 to support student travel to present at conferences and enabled eight students to attend the ACES conference.  Cheyenne has been noted as inspiring and tireless in her enthusiasm for her chapter.  As one nominator described, “Cheyenne is an exceptional leader who has facilitated phenomenal chapter growth and leadership development of her peers.  She is both reliable and innovative, and she brings an attitude of determination, confidence, compassion and determination to all of her contributions.” 

 

 

OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

Chi Sigma Iota is continuing its commitment to excellence in scholarship and clinical practice through the Outstanding Research Award. This award seeks to recognize and honor those who have recently completed research investigations that show promise for outstanding contributions to the counseling profession.

The Outstanding Research Award given annually consists of a plaque of distinction and the distribution of the abstract in the CSI Newsletter.

 

            The following criteria was considered:

 

Ø      The senior author must be an active CSI member if there are multiple authors.

Ø      The nominee's research manuscript must have been written on a topic of interest to the profession of counselor education.

Ø      The research manuscript must have been written within the last two years..

Ø      The research must represent sound scholarship.

Ø      Studies using any research approach (ethnological, experimental, historical, survey, etc.) are encouraged.

Ø      The knowledge presented and the conclusions drawn must hold promise for the improvement of the counseling profession..

 

 

Chinwe Uwah receives the Outstanding Research Award for a study in which she utilized correlational and multiple regression design to examine the relationships among school belonging, educational aspirations, and academic self-efficacy for a high school sample of African American males.  She conducted the research at a small, urban school.  Chinwe’s study is a well-written and well-organized manuscript that examines an important issue.  Results indicated that feeling encouraged to participate and having educational aspirations were significant, positive predictors of students’ academic self-efficacy.  Recommendations for future research and practical suggestions are offered to school counselors for increasing African American males’ educational aspirations and their perceptions that they are encouraged to participate.  This research yielded results that have great practical implications for practicing school counselors struggling to find ways to successfully impact this population of students.   

 

OUTSTANDING PRACTITIONER AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

The Practitioner Award was established to recognize an outstanding counselor whose time is spent primarily in direct clinical counseling services. Therefore, the nomination packet should clearly demonstrate the clinical contribution.  (Examples of persons eligible for the award include school counselors, rehabilitation counselors, community counselors, counselors working in college/university settings, pastoral counselors, or substance abuse counselors.) Full-time faculty persons are not eligible.

 

 

 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION AND SELECTION

 

1.     Practitioner to include the following:

Ø      A current member of Chi Sigma Iota

Ø      Spends at least 50% of time in direct clinical counseling services

Ø      Identifies self as a professional counselor

Ø      State licensed, certified as a school counselor, and/or holds a national credential as a professional counselor

Ø      Has been and is currently a member in good standing with state and/or national accrediting bodies

Ø      Publishes, presents at professional meetings, or otherwise educates other practitioners about successful clinical practices or theories

 

 

Erin Mason is an accomplished practitioner in the truest sense of the profession, having completed a master’s degree in School Counseling in 1995 and a specialist degree in School Counseling in 2003.  She has worked as professional school counselor for the past 12 years, and her work as a school counselor has been recognized by her peers, as she has received both district and regional “school counselor of the year” awards.  At a time when many of her colleagues were just beginning to look at the ASCA National Model, Erin was designing, implementing, and evaluating data-driven, systemic interventions to help meet student needs, presenting her findings at district and state conferences, and working to have them published.  Additionally, Erin has held several positions within the Georgia School Counselors’ Association.  She has lobbied for school counseling rights on the floor of the Georgia State Legislature and held an audience with the governor to discuss pro-school counseling legislation.  Perhaps most importantly, Erin has earned the respect and admiration of her clients, as evidenced by a few of her students who started a “Mrs. Mason was my middle school counselor” group on Facebook (35 members, currently).

 

   

THE THOMAS J. SWEENEY PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

 

Purpose of Award

 

This award recognizes and honors persons who through their vision, leadership, and concern for others have strengthened, expanded, and enhanced the counseling profession at local, state, national, and/or international levels.

This award is named after Thomas J. Sweeney, founder of Chi Sigma Iota, as a tribute to his outstanding leadership and professional contributions to the counseling profession. Dr. Sweeney's service to the profession spans more than 30 years. His contributions have been multiple in terms of types and levels of service including books, articles, training videos, research, speaking, consulting, leadership positions and volunteer service in several capacities.

In the spirit of Dr. Sweeney's vision, leadership, and concerns for others, the Chi Sigma Iota Executive Council chose to create this award with the intention of recognizing others within the membership of the Society who contribute to the benefit of the profession.

 

CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION AND SELECTION

 

1)     Been an active member of CSI for 10 or more years (active involvement extends beyond membership to CSI to include other roles such as faculty advisor, committee chair or member, CSI officer).

2)     A primary career identity (minimum of 15 years) as a professional counselor, counselor educator, or counseling supervisor.

3)     Shall have established a pattern, over a minimum of 15 years, of demonstrable leadership contributions to the counseling profession at the regional, national and international levels.  (Demonstrable leadership contributions include one or more areas of:

a.      Service to professional associations including non-profit agencies related to accreditation and credentialing

b.      Advocacy for excellence in the profession including activities related to research, scholarship, ethics, standards, counselor preparation and innovative practices and programs

c.      Efforts to promote optimum human development through excellence in the delivery of counseling services

 

 

For more than 30 years, Dr. Charles “Rick” Gressard has made his presence in the counseling arena known through serving on numerous certification boards, teaching physicians the importance of substance abuse awareness,  counseling those contending with addiction, and traveling the world in an effort to educate counselors on the importance of ethical practice. 

Dr. Gressard’s vita captures some of what he has done as a strong advocate of the counseling profession.  He has numerous articles published in refereed counseling journals and has served on editorial boards for three journals.  Presently, he is beginning a three year term of membership on the editorial board of the Journal or Counseling and Development.  His more than 250 presentations to University and community groups have contributed to the education of many persons, especially in the field of substance abuse and addictions.  Because of his expertise in the field of ethics, he has traveled outside of the United States to both Romania and St. Lucia in an effort to inspire counselors to consider ethical decision-making a critical part of the counseling profession.

Besides his outstanding accomplishments as a counselor and a counselor educator, Dr. Gressard has been active in major counseling organizations.  He served both as committee member and chair of the National Board of Certified Counselors’ Addictions Academy as well as the NBCC Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the board initiated numerous international endeavors that marked the first of their kind for NBCC, for the now-NBCC International, and for the counseling profession world-wide.  As part of his role as Chair of the National Board of Certified Counselors, he determined the sanctioning process of counselors who broke the code of ethics. 

Another major contribution to the counseling profession has been his work on the CACREP Standards Revision Committee (SRC).  Dr. Gressard began his work on this six member committee in 2004 and has been involved with the writing of the 2009 CACREP Standards that will be adopted at the July 2008 CACREP Board meeting.   These Standards will affect the future direction of the counseling profession for years to come.

 

As a valued leader in the field of rehabilitation/substance abuse counseling, Dr. Gressard teaches counselors, and Virginia physicians, as well as the general public, about the dangers of substance abuse.   He and members of a grant writing team have written and obtained funding for 26 grants, primarily related to substance abuse.  Finally, at the request of the IAAOC Division of ACA, Dr. Gressard helped create a new program specialty area for Addictions Counseling.  This contribution has the potential to dramatically impact the addiction counseling field, as there is no other organization in the country that accredits addiction preparation programs. 

Perhaps just as importantly, Dr. Gressard has inspired countless students to be better counselors through his engaging teaching style and his honest, straight-forward supervision.

Chi Sigma Iota

Chapter Grant Recipients 2008

 

 

Pi Beta – University of Wisconsin, Superior

Primary Applicant: Jenice Marie Kienzle

 

Project Description: Working Effectively with Clients Affected by Sexual Violence

 

Omega Delta – Old Dominion University

Primary Applicant: Sarah Joyce

 

Additional Project Participants: Katherine Moore

 

Project Description: Creative Couples Counseling Conference

 

Alpha Delta – University of Maryland

Primary Applicant: Glacia Ethridge

 

Additional Project Participants: Roe A. Rodgers and Shengli Dong

 

Project Description: Crisis Counseling Workshop

 

Eta – Youngstown State University

Primary Applicant: Amber Pratt

 

Project Description: Building Our Mentoring Program

 

Omega Kappa Upsilon – Western Kentucky University

Primary Applicant: C.J. Priddy

 

Project Description: Encouraging Client Wellness

Chi Sigma Iota

2008 Excellence in Counseling Research Grant Recipients

 

 

Drs. James M. Devlin and Robert L. Smith

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Theta Alpha Mu Chapter

 

“Reconnecting Science to Practice:  An Innovative Model for Supporting a

Counseling Research Identity”

 

 

Dr. Carrie A. Wachter

Purdue University

Pi Upsilon Chapter

 

“School Counseling:  A Multidisciplinary Digital Advocacy Project”

 

 

Drs . Donna M. Gibson, Collette T. Dollarhide and Leah McCallum

University of South Carolina

Upsilon Sigma Chi Chapter

 

“Non-tenured, Assistant Professors:  The New Look of Leadership

in Counseling”