Congratulations to the 2017-18 fellowship/scholarship recipients from the Educational Psychology and Counseling Department!

<strong>Brenna Berry</strong> <em>Evaluation, Statistics &amp; Measurement</em>
– Tennessee Graduate Fellowship Excellence

<strong>Ben Gaertner</strong> <em> School </em><em>Counseling
</em>- Eugene and Mary Sue Akins Graduate Fellowship

<strong>Takuya Hayakawa</strong> <em>Learning Environments &amp; Educational Studies
</em>- Travis Hawk Fellowship

<strong>Douglas Johnston</strong> <em> School </em><em>Counseling</em><em>
</em>- Eugene and Mary Sue Akins Graduate Fellowship

<strong>Ashley Kennedy</strong> <em> School </em><em>Counseling</em><em>
</em>- Helen Carter Murray Scholarship

<strong>Rachel Ladd</strong> <em>Evaluation, Statistics &amp; Measurement
</em>- Travis Hawk Fellowship

<strong>Jessica Marzi</strong> <em>Counselor Education</em>
– Access &amp; Diversity Fellowship
– Dr. Stephen Lee Alderton Graduate Fellowship

<strong>Sara Nasrollahian</strong> <em>Adult Learning
</em>- Travis Hawk Fellowship

<strong>Christina Nesbit</strong> <em>Clinical Mental Health Counseling</em>
– Charles Lowell Thompson Fellowship

<strong>Alex Price</strong> <em>School Psychology</em>
– Tennessee Graduate Fellowship Excellence

<strong>Jonah Ruddy</strong> <em>School Psychology</em>
– Dr. Richard Yoakley Fellowship

<strong>Lynnette Whitsitt</strong> <em>School Psychology</em>
– J. Wallace &amp; Katie Dean Graduate Fellowship

<strong>Mary Wynn</strong> <em>Clinical Mental Health Counseling</em>
– Charles Lowell Thompson Fellowship

The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling wants to congratulate the graduates from six of our programs who earned their degrees and recipients from four of our graduate certificate programs who completed necessary requirements during the spring 2017 semester.

To see photos of our recent graduates, please go to the “EPC Graduates” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Karen Elizabeth Brinkley
Graduate Certificate in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Ann Marie Cisney-Booth
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Jaya Lyn Cookston
MS in Education – Instructional Technology
Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching & Learning

Courtney Brooke Davis
MS in Counseling – School Counseling
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Whitney Suzanne Denton
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

Nina Marie Ditommaso
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Ellyn Kelly Domanico
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Lauren Ridley Fraser
MS in Counseling – School Counseling
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Erin Rochelle Garty
MS in Education – Instructional Technology
Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching & Learning

Marta Magdalena Goebel-Pietrasz
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Tiffany Hattley
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Kendall Bree Hauck
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Brittany Susan Hill
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Peter Lawrence Ignacio
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Caroline Marie Jaquett
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Savannah Rachel Ladage
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Emily Earlynn Lauer
Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods in Education

Rebekah Grace Livingston
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Sondra Marie LoRe
Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods in Education

Sherry Ann Marlow Ormsby
PhD in Educational Psychology and Research – Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Sarah Ellen McMurray
MS in Educational Psychology – Adult Education

James Ray Michel
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

Maya Mingo
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Jonah Lee Ruddy
Graduate Certificate in Grief, Loss & Trauma

Terilyn Chiemi Shigeno
Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods in Education

Kala Lane Taylor
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Victoria Gail Vanmarren
MS in Educational Psychology – Applied Educational Psychology

Elizabeth Morgan Zeller
MS in Counseling – School Counseling

*If you are one of the graduates listed above and would like to have your photo added to our EPC Graduates Facebook album, then please email your picture to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu.

**If you were an Educational Psychology and Counseling student who graduated during this time frame, yet have unintentionally been omitted from this list, please send your name, degree, and major/concentration to Synthia Clark sclark41@utk.edu. We will add you to the list after receiving this information from you and confirming your graduation status.

School Counseling

Amber earned an MS in counseling with a concentration in the School Counseling program in 2010. She is originally from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Knoxville, TN. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

School Counselor
Christenberry Elementary School
Knox County
Knoxville, TN

I am currently working as the school counselor at Christenberry Elementary in Knox County where I provide individual and small group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, and consultation with staff, parents, and other school stakeholders.

Awards and Accomplishments Earned as a Student

• Outstanding Student Award, 2009, “for excellent performance in the classroom, development of professional identity as a counselor, and development of helping skills”
• Outstanding Student Award, 2010, “outstanding role model”
• Chi Sigma Iota secretary, 2009-2010

Accomplishments since Graduating

For the last several years I have worked as the Family Engagement Committee chairperson at our school. This group is responsible for planning events that offer parents an opportunity to spend quality time with their children and learn ways to enhance academic success at home. When I started working at Christenberry in 2009, these events were not well-attended, typically bringing in less than 100 people (sometimes less than 50). After a few years of disappointing turn-outs, we made some critical changes to these events, and our attendance sky-rocketed. We now see several hundred parents, children, and family members at our events, and our school-wide parental involvement has dramatically increased. It has been such a joy to play a part in strengthening that crucial relationship between the school and home lives of our students.

Personal Interests

My husband and I welcomed our first child, Penelope Rose, into the world last March. Much of our time is spent playing with her and watching in amazement as she grows and changes everyday. I also teach workout classes at Neighborhood Barre, a local fitness studio, where I enjoy exercising and having some “me-time” several times a week.

What do you think was the most rewarding about this program?

The most rewarding part of the school counseling program, for me, was the confidence I had as I entered into my first job. I was hired during the latter part of my internship, and even though I had not yet graduated, I knew I had the tools I needed to start building a comprehensive, developmental program at my school. The support and encouragement I received from my professors as I started my job is something I will always be grateful for.

Did you end up where you thought you would?

When I started the program, I felt certain that I wanted to work in a middle school. I wanted to be a school counselor so that I could help pre-teens navigate the changes and challenges that come with adolescent-hood. After spending just my practicum in an elementary school, however, I realized that I was destined to work with the K-5 population. I’m thankful that we were encouraged to experience a variety of grade levels, because my heart is definitely in the elementary world!

What do you remember most from your time here?

One of the most memorable experiences I had during the program came from an assignment in group. We were asked to attend a real-life, group session somewhere in the community and write about our experience. My plan was to find a group where I could blend in, and simply act as a fly on the wall during the session. After I arrived to the session I chose, I soon realized that only one other person would be joining the facilitator and I that night. What could have been a could have been a very uncomfortable hour turned into an incredibly meaningful experience for me. I had no idea that I would be affected in the way that I was, and I learned an important lesson about the power of group counseling.

Four faculty members and two doctoral students from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling were recognized at the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet on April 19, 2017.

See below for a description of each individual’s award.

Excellence in Academic Outreach
Honors those who exemplify UT’s land-grant mission by using intellectual capital to benefit the citizens of Tennessee.

Robert Kronick
Professor & Director of University-Assisted Community Schools

“Engaged research says it all. It’s what I do. I am overwhelmed that the university recognized this work. This award acknowledges the efforts of a great deal of folks doing the work.”

Extraordinary Service to the University
Honors those who exemplify UT’s land-grant mission by using intellectual capital to benefit the citizens of Tennessee.

S. Wayne Mulkey
Clinical Professor

“I appreciate the support and encouragement of my colleagues in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling over the past three years. It is clearly an honor to know that my peers respect the work I have done at the University of Tennessee. Fond memories shall follow with me throughout the duration of my next retirement.”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Sarah Nadel
PhD Student in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement (ESM)

“I was deeply honored to not only be nominated for the award, but to also receive it. This award means a great deal to me, but I can’t accept it without thanking my ESM faculty and peers as we have partnered on so much together. Additionally, my advisor, Jennifer Ann Morrow, has been an instrumental part of my success in my ESM doctoral program. She is a driving force for me to succeed every day and without her guidance, as well as the guidance and knowledge from all ESM faculty, this award wouldn’t have been possible. I’m deeply honored and blessed.”

Excellence in Advising
Bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in advising.

Barbara Thayer-Bacon
Professor

“I am so proud of the students I’ve had the opportunity to work with while at UT! It was wonderful to hear their words of support and gratitude for my mentoring of them. They have made me feel so appreciated. A big thank you to my students! The number keeps growing!! -your Dr. Barb”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Victoria Gail VanMaaren
PhD Student in School Psychology

“The faculty and staff in our department have been nothing but supportive of all of my endeavors. I’m honored by this award, and mindful of the fact that it would not have been possible without the mentorship and encouragement of the entire department.”

Extraordinary Community Service
Rewards a faculty member who exhibits the volunteer spirit in the community.

Laura S. Wheat
Assistant Professor

“I am so very honored and humbled to receive this award, given the remarkable things faculty and staff across campus are doing! The Grief Outreach Initiative is dear to me and I’m thankful to be its shepherd. I hope to continue to nurture and grow it for years to come, so that more and more kids and teens will have safe places to honor their grief.”

To see photos of our recent award recipients, please go to the “EPC Award Winners” album on our EPC Facebook page.

*Award descriptions listed from Chancellor’s Honors Banquet program and website.

Casey Barrio Minton, associate professor, is the 2017 recipient of the American Counseling Association (ACA) Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award. This award honors service by an ACA member at the local, state, or national level in promoting the well-being of the counseling profession. It is the most well-established national award still given by the ACA, having started in 1975.

“I serve the organizations I serve because I believe our collective work facilitates a context in which professional counselors can develop their skills and serve their communities. On one hand, the recognition feels deeply meaningful and affirming because it reflects back an important part of my identity. On the other, it feels somewhat incongruent; I serve because I believe we have a collective responsibility to our profession and our community, not for individual recognition or reward.”

Barrio Minton was nominated for this award by the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC), a division of ACA for which she has served as president. She will be recognized and awarded during a ceremony held at the ACA Annual Conference and Expo in San Francisco, CA from March 16-19, 2017.