The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation has awarded Kurtis Hooks, a student in the Counseling and Human Services Department (CHS), a 2014 fellowship through the organization's Minority Fellowship Program. Only 22 applicants were selected from across the country.
The NBCC Minority Fellowship Program (NBCC-MFP) aims to strengthen the infrastructure that engages diverse individuals in counseling and increases the number of professional counselors providing effective, culturally competent services to underserved minority populations. All NBCC-MFP Fellows hold the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification and are enrolled in a doctoral program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), demonstrating knowledge of and experience with racially and ethnically diverse populations, and committing to provide mental health and substance abuse services to underserved minority populations. Fellows will work with Foundation staff, the MFPAC and mentors to achieve the goal of the program.
"As a mental health counselor advocating for underserved and culturally-diverse populations, Kurtis epitomizes the mission of counselor preparation programs as well as the NBCC Foundation. This fellowship designation- received by our students consecutively for two years- certainly enhances the reputation of the university, "says Danica Hays, CHS Department Chair.
This year, the Foundation will distribute $440,000 to the 22 NBCC MFP Fellows to support their education and facilitate their services. The NBCC MFP is made possible by a grant awarded to NBCC by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).