by Nikole Gianopoulos
The Georgia College Counseling Association recently held its annual award ceremony, and the University of West Georgia was well represented, to say the least. Acknowledged at the ceremony were Director of the UWG Counseling Center Dr. Lisa Adams Somerlot, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Dr. Alicia Caudill, and Outreach Coordinator Terri Ducker.
The coveted Program of the Year award was granted to UWG’s Counseling Center Outreach Program for their outstanding development of a unique clinical program for college students across campus.
UWG has one of the best Counseling Centers in the state and has been recognized nationally with the Jed Campus Seal. Also, UWG was one of 30 colleges awarded the honor of being recognized as Program of the Year, and it speaks to the quality of services and education provided to the campus.
“I am pretty proud of my staff, who make my job easy; Alicia and Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Scot Lingrell, who support us in this work; and this university that allows us to help students change their lives and thereby change our corner of the world,” said Dr. Somerlot who was recognized for her excellence as a college counseling director with the highly distinguished Director of the Year award.
Dr. Caudill received the renowned Advocacy Award. Every year this award is granted to a dedicated professional who demonstrates advocacy of college counseling services and has made a significant contribution to the improvement of these services.
Terri, who had previously served as regional representative, was appointed as president-elect. Her main responsibility for this year will be planning next year's conference at St. Simon's Island. Terri will work with the council to negotiate the contract with the hotel, plan the theme, and facilitate program submissions to continue a history of excellence. This position is a three year commitment as she will transition into president next year and the following year she will serve as past president.
“It can be a challenge to get the word out about our Counseling Center because to be honest, it is not the place on campus where students take selfies and tweet about the great counseling session they just had,” stated Terri, who said her dream is to get all the students to follow the Counseling Center on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so that they will come see them before their emotions lead them to a crisis point. “Often our counselors do their best work behind closed doors, often helping students in their lowest moments.”
GCCA is a professional membership organization composed of professional practitioners employed in the Counseling facilities of Georgia’s public and private institutions, colleges, and universities, and is a state branch of the American College Counseling Association. Most of these professionals are certified and/or licensed professional counselors and applied psychologists providing direct personal, educational, and career counseling to the students, faculty, and staff at their respective institutions of higher learning.
For more information about the GCCA, please visit www.gacollegecounseling.org/about-gcca/.
