Grad student selected for addictions counselor fellowship

Graduate student Princilla Ursery is majoring in clinical mental health counseling and is enrolled in the specialty program in alcohol and drug addiction graduate certification program. Recently, she was selected for the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program-Addictions Counselors. Her selection from among many qualified applicants demonstrates her impressive experience, commitment, hard work and service to transition-age youth from underserved minority populations.

Ursery currently works full-time as a residential care provider and crisis specialist, providing group therapy, medication management and treatment plans for clients who struggle with suicidal ideation, mental impairment, and/or substance use. She also volunteers as a court appointed special advocate with the Kalamazoo Family Court. In that role, she investigates, assesses and identifies resources for children assigned to her, and reports their needs, wishes and outcomes to the court. In addition, she is an active member and volunteer with the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health and the National Alliance of Mental Illness, with which she works with families who have a loved one with a diagnosed mental illness. 

"My overall goal in working in the mental health field is to help transform the lives of individuals that are disenfranchised and marginalized, especially people of color, through advocacy," says Ursery, "and I firmly believe my role…will be to help provide transitional youth and vulnerable populations with a firm sense of empowerment over their life."

As an NBCC MFP-AC Fellow, Ms. Ursery will receive a tuition stipend of $11,000. Also, all of her costs will be covered for the May 2015 MFP orientation meeting, where she will be recognized and receive a plaque. In accepting the fellowship, she also commits to a minimum of two years of working with adolescents in transition after her graduation.