Newswise — Orlando, Fla. (March 27, 2025) — Each year, the American Counseling Association (ACA) recognizes excellence in research, career and humanitarian achievement among counseling professionals and students with its awards and honors program. This year’s awards were presented at the 2025 ACA Conference & Expo in Orlando, held March 27–March 29.
Fellows Award
Daniel Gutierrez, PhD, LPC, CSAC
Best Practices in Research Award for Faculty
Lindsey A. Lundeen, PhD, LPC, NCC, University of Arkansas
Jennifer K. Niles, PhD, NCC, NCSC, ACS, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Best Practices in Research Award for Students
Kahyen Shin, MEd, NCC, Syracuse University
Counselor Educator Advocacy Award
Carrie A. Wachter Morris, PhD, NCC, ACS, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Extended Research Award
Elizabeth A. Prosek, PhD, LPC, NCC, The Pennsylvania State University
Professional Development Award
John P. Duggan, LPC, LCPC, LSATP, Marymount University
Research Award
Sojeong Nam, PhD, LMHC, NCC, The University of New Mexico
Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award
Andrea Brooks, PhD, LPCC-S, Central Methodist University
Courtland C. Lee Multicultural Excellence Scholarship Award
Büşra Vurkun, PhD, Old Dominion University
David K. Brooks, Jr. Distinguished Mentor Award
Barbara Herlihy, PhD, NCC, ACA Fellow, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Don Dinkmeyer Social Interest Award
Katherine M. Wood, PhD, CPSC, LCSW, Tennessee Technological University
Dr. Judy Lewis Counselors for Social Justice Award
Pamela N. Harris, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, The College of William and Mary
Garry R. Walz Trailblazer Award
Scott Young, PhD, ACA Fellow, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person
Hannah B. Bayne, PhD, LPC, Virginia Tech
Glen E. Hubele National Graduate Student Award
Priyanka Jha, MSc, ABD, Northern Illinois University
Kitty Cole Human Rights Award
David A. Olges, PhD, MBA, LMHC, Southern New Hampshire University
Robert H. Rencken Emerging Professional Leader Award
Sarah Evans Zalewski, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, LPC, Central Connecticut University
Kent Butler Transformative Impact Award
Frank Gorritz FitzSimons, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, Florida Gulf Coast University
Thelma T. Daley Advocacy and Equity Award
Janeé Avent Harris, PhD, LCMHCA, NCC, East Carolina University
Thomas Hohenshil National Publication Award
Melissa Luke, PhD, ACA Fellow, Syracuse University
Thomas J. Sweeney Award for Visionary Leadership and Advocacy
Kelly L. Wester, PhD, LCMHC, NCC, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
STUDENT ESSAY AWARDS
Future School Counselors Essay Competition
This award recognizes graduate counseling students with exceptional insight and understanding about the school counseling profession. The theme for this year’s competition was “How can school counselors help students address personal/social issues that are impacting their success in school? What do you believe is the most pressing issue, and how will they be able to demonstrate and document their effectiveness?”
Grand Prize
Natasha Hennessy, MA LCMH; Adams State University
First Prize
Hyuncheol Yoon, MEd; University of Florida
Second Prize
Zhi Jie Lee, MEd; The Ohio State University
Honorable Mention
Jessica Lin, MA; New York University
Tomorrow’s Counselors Essay Competition
This award recognizes graduate counseling students with exceptional insight and understanding about the counseling profession. The theme for this year’s competition was “Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly prominent and expanding. What are the strengths and limitations of using AI when counseling clients, and what are the relevant practice, ethical and legal implications of its use in counseling?”
Grand Prize
Huan Feng; University of Florida College of Education
First Prize
Anida Phobic, MALS; Northwestern University
Second Prize
Elizabeth Anne Hebert, BS; Louisiana State University
Honorable Mention
Magdalena R. O’Leary; Adams State University
Elizabeth Duston Reed; Midwestern State University
ETHICS COMPETITION
Graduate Student Ethics Competition
This award recognizes master’s and doctoral counseling students who demonstrate exceptional understanding of the ACA Code of Ethics.
First Place, Doctoral
Virginia Commonwealth University
Tara Cothren, MEd, LPC
Elizabeth Kurt, MS, LPC (WI), NCC
Emily Kitching, MEd, NCC, NCSC
Margaret M. Poandl, MA, LPC
Patrick R. Mullen, PhD, NCC, NCSC, ACS, Advisor
Second Place, Doctoral
Oakland University
Liala Reece, MA, LLC
Cierra Valles, MA, MEd, C-IAYT
Edward Werdene, MA
Michael P. Chaney, PhD, LPC, ACS, ACA Fellow, Advisor
Third Place, Doctoral
University of the Cumberlands
Audrey Akers, MEd, LPCC-S
Kelly Crawford Mason, MA, NCC, LPC, PhD Candidate
Jerry L. Mize, MA, MEd, NCC
Kristen M. Roush, MAEd, NCC, LPC/LPCC
Colleen Grunhaus, PhD, LCMHC, ACS, NCC, Advisor
First Place, Masters
Yeshiva University
Yerson Faber Torres Cubillos, MEd
Emily Present, MFA
Austin Prock, MA
Stella Kim Hansen, PhD, LMHC, Advisor
Second Place, Masters
Winebrenner Theological Seminary
Kasey Summerer, ThM
Caroline Wilson, BA
Avory Winans, BA, EMT-B
Mary Liames, PhD, LSC, Advisor
Third Place, Masters
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Dylan Bergen, BA
Camile Mejia, BS
Allison Porch, MLS, MIS
Gina Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC, Advisor
About the American Counseling Association
Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 60,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. For more information, visit theACA website and read more about theConference & Expo.