Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Scholarships and Awards

May 1, 2020

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The department of CECP proudly announces the recipients of this year’s awards and scholarships. The students being recognized have distinguished themselves through excellence in their graduate studies and in their work as emerging professionals. Although we could not celebrate together this year, we look forward to a time when we can express our congratulations in person and celebrate with you.

Recipients

Audra Goodlock
Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Alumni Scholarship - Master’s Level
Audra Goodlock works as a Foster Care and Licensing Specialist with the State of Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services. She is studying to receive her master's degree in Counselor Education from WMU, attending the Traverse City regional location. Audra looks forward to using her education as a way of serving others and advocating for mental health.
Diana Charnley
Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Alumni Scholarship - Doctoral Level
Diana Charnley is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program, and she is currently completing data collection for her dissertation on gatekeeping. She has served as both graduate assistant and teaching assistant for the department and is a career counselor in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and works at Meaningful Connections Counseling.
Henry C. McCain III
Kenneth Bullmer Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in Counseling Psychology
Henry C. McCain III is a 6th year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program. Throughout his graduate training at WMU he has been an outstanding student and teaching assistant in the Counseling Techniques course. Henry applied what he learned in school into serving the Kalamazoo community as a former executive director and current board member of non-profit organizations serving low-income students and families in Kalamazoo Public Schools.
Jeanette Perales
Robert and Diane Betz Award for Doctoral Studies in Counselor Education
During Jeanette’s time at Western Michigan University, she’s had the opportunity to teach, practice, and conduct research. She was a CECP 6040 Counseling Techniques teaching assistant for several semesters and for a part of her internship experience, she coinstructed with Dr. Plunkett in CECP 6070: Multicultural Counseling and Psychology and currently co-instructing with Dr. Foster and Jennifer Meador in CECP 6860: Counseling Children and Adolescents. Lastly, another part of her internship experience is advancing her clinical skills at Kalamazoo College Counseling Center, where she is currently practicing.
Hawi Wako
Robert and Diane Betz Award for Doctoral Studies in Counseling Psychology
Hawi Wako is a third year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. Hawi is interested in investigating resilience factors within the Oromo immigrants population in the United States.
Aaron Jones
Dr. James Croteau Memorial Scholarship
Aaron Jones is interested in pursuing a career that investigates the sphere of race, sexual orientation and social justice. At Western Michigan University, he conducts research on health implications and other psycho-social factors that African American LGBT people experience in an inherently racist and heteronormative society. In the future, Aaron wants to be an active part of the scholarly research impacting this marginalized population.
Tatyana Smith
Dr. Lonnie Earl Duncan Memorial Scholarship
This past May, Tatyana Smith experienced the happiest moment of her life when she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is now in her first year of the doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University. Given her experiences as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar at Xavier, she is interested in understanding the relationship between Black masculinity, adverse childhood experiences, and relationship outcomes for African American men.
Lynne McMahon
Alan and Kristin Hovestadt Outstanding Student in Marriage and Family Therapy Award
Lynne is a dedicated wife and mother of five young children. Her passion for the health of marriages and families is evident in her own family as well as her academic career. She hopes to be an asset to her community and aid marriages and families from all walks of life.
Kylie First
Arthur and Margaret Manske Outstanding Master’s Student in School Counseling Award
Kylie First is a second-year graduate student whose passion for school counseling started when she was a college advisor at Ionia High School through the Michigan State University College Advising Corps from 2013 until 2015. In her current role as an academic advisor, she has had the chance to connect with countless students to help support their personal, professional, and academic goals, while in college. Her passion has been fostered by the professors at WMU, especially Dr. Foster and Dr. Anderson, as well as her peers. She looks forward to continuing her coursework and knowledge in the field of counseling over the next year.
Adrian Hernandez
Joseph R. Morris Award for Outstanding Contributions to Multicultural Counseling and Psychology
Adrian Hernandez is a first generation Mexican American doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program. He is interested in working with children and adolescents and researching topics such as resilience, coping behaviors, acculturation, post-traumatic growth and trauma-informed practices. His ultimate goal is to serve on the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) where he hopes to use his knowledge as a psychologist and experience with the justice system to advocate for underprivileged and underrepresented populations.
Hanny Tishriana Wuysang
Thelma M. Urbick Outstanding Counselor Education Doctoral Student Award
Hanny is an international student from Indonesia and a second-year student in the Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program. As an international student, she has become a passionate advocate for other international students, helping their adjustment and acculturation process. She’s also actively promoting and developing a greater sense of community among students.
Robert Parsons
William R. Weiner Outstanding Student in Rehabilitation Counseling/Teaching and Rehabilitation Counseling Award
Robert Parsons, aside from being a full-time graduate student, actively works in the realm of disability and student advocacy. Working alongside university and community organizations, his passion lies in demystifying disability and fostering cohesion across identities. His ultimate objective is to become a rehabilitation counselor educator, bringing his experiential knowledge as a consumer to the preparation of future clinicians.
Jay Maddock
The Outstanding Master’s Student in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Award
Jay Maddock is a master's student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. He hopes to someday use his counseling skills to be able to provide a safe, affirming, and welcoming space for LGBTQ youth and families.
Kyrai Antares
Outstanding Doctoral Student in Counseling Psychology Award
Kyrai Antares has engaged in doctoral training in counseling psychology with passion, intention, and steadfastness. She defended her dissertation, Between two worlds: A phenomenological exploration of experiences related to race for Black, transracially adopted emerging adults in October of 2019. As an intern at the University of Oregon, Kyrai has continued work in anti - racism through outreach, on - campus group involvement, client advocacy, and consultation. Kyrai is committed to continue working to deconstruct systems that rob us of our humanity in her career as a counseling psychologist.