Dr. Monica Osburn, director of UNC Pembroke’s Counseling and Testing Center, has been named president-elect of the American College Counseling Association (ACCA).
Dr. Osburn will begin a three-year term on July 1 and serve as president in 2012-13. The ACCA is one of the largest and most prestigious college counseling associations for psychologists, licensed professional counselors, social workers and counselor educators.
“To be selected by your peers is a real honor,” Dr. Osburn said. “I have been active in the association for 15 years, doing committee work and giving presentations.”
Dr. Lisa Schaeffer, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs said it is a real honor for UNCP as well.
“The Counseling and Testing Center continues to thrive under the direction of Dr. Monica Osburn,” Dr. Schaeffer said. “She fosters an environment that promotes teamwork among her staff, and the students benefit from the department’s excellent care and services. “I know she will do an outstanding job as president of ACCA,” she continued. “I am very proud to have her as a member of the UNCP Student Affairs team.”
With 1,500 members, ACCA’s mission is to support and enhance the professional practice of college counseling, said Brian Van Brunt, president. Van Brunt said Osburn is an excellent choice to lead the association.
“Monica's willingness to dedicate herself to our organization over the next three years is a wonderful service to college counseling,” he said. “As the current president of the ACCA, I thank Monica for her desire to serve her fellow counselors, psychologists and counselor educators. Her efforts are much appreciated.”
Dr. Osburn will have many duties as president-elect. “I will be learning more about our organizational structure and how it serves our members,” she said. “Preparing to assume the presidency will be my primary goal during the first year.”
The ACCA is a division of the American Counseling Association. Following recent tragic incidents on college campuses, the association has raised its profile and responded to new challenges. Dr. Osburn, who has been director of UNCP’s Counseling and Testing Center since 2002, said ACCA has stepped up to the challenge.
“Colleges, universities and community colleges represent unique populations that require specialized training,” she said. “The college years are the time that many issues present themselves, and there are many stressors for this group.
“The ACCA is a premier organization for college counseling, and it does an excellent job providing resources to college counselors,” she continued. “It supplies research and data that is critical to our profession; it promotes training and education for emerging leaders in our field.”
The Counseling and Testing Center provides UNCP’s students with both mental health counseling and proactive wellness programming. For more information about the center, contact them at (910) 521-6202 or visit the website at www.uncp.edu/ct.