Doctoral Portfolio Links
Leadership & Advocacy
Leadership & Advocacy CACREP Doctoral Competencies (2016):
a. Theories and skills of leadership
b. Leadership and leadership development in professional organizations
c. Leadership in counselor education programs
d. Knowledge of accreditation standards and processes
e. Leadership, management, and administration in counseling organizations and other institutions
f. Leadership roles and strategies for responding to crises and disasters
g. Strategies of leadership in consultation
h. Current topical and political issues in counseling and how those issues affect the daily work of counselors and the
counseling profession
i. Role of counselors and counselor educators advocating on behalf of the profession and professional identity
j. Models and competencies for advocating for clients at the individual, system, and policy levels
k. Strategies of leadership in relation to current multicultural and social justice issues
l. Ethical and culturally relevant leadership and advocacy practices
Counselor Leadership Competencies:
Involvement with social advocacy:
Served as President-Elect-Elect on the NC Counseling Association
(July 2024)
Served as Executive Secretary on the NC Counseling Association
(July 2022 - June 2023)
Intern to the President of NC Counseling Association
(May 2023 - July 2024)
Graduate Student Division President of NC Counseling Association
(2018-2019)
Served as Board Member on the Chatham County Chamber of Commerce (August 2024)
Membership in professional counseling organizations:
North Carolina Board of Licensed Mental Health Counselors (est. 2020)
Attendance at two or more State or National American Counseling Association Conferences:
2023 Black Mental Health Symposium
2024 ACA Conference & Expo
2024 NCCA Annual Conference
Artifacts of Leadership & Advocacy Competency
COUC 890 Leadership and Advocacy in Counselor Education
“This doctoral-level seminar course is designed to foster professional identity as a counselor educator and leadership/service to the counseling profession. There is a focus on leadership principles and theories, including their application to counselor education. Students will work from a self-reflective model in order to discover and assess their own leadership skills and potential and to consider how that potential can be applied to the field of counselor education. Professional, ethical and social advocacy issues are also addressed throughout this course”
Artifact 1 – As a component of COUC 890, this artifact effectively demonstrates the (CACREP Competency a, b, c, d, e, f g, j, k, i). This leadership policy masters leadership competency by identifying personal leadership experience, policies, and personal action plans within counseling.
Artifact 2 – Artifact Two represents a (CACREP competency a, b, c, d, e, g, and h) and demonstrates competency of understanding personal values that will be used to guide as a leader within counseling.
Artifact 3 – Artifact 3 demonstrates an effective ability to develop a leadership action plan. This group project was designed for Chi Sigma Iota with future implementation plans within the counseling honor society. (CACREP competency a, b, c, d, f, g, i, k).
Artifact 4 – Artifact four demonstrates the understanding of leadership and the importance of mentorship and leadership within counseling. The use of networking, mentorship, is vital in growth as a leader within the field of counseling. (CACREP competency a, b, c, d, e, i, j, k, l).
Artifact 5 – My role as President-Elect reflects active engagement in professional leadership and service to the counseling profession, supporting CACREP standards related to professional identity development and leadership within the field (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impact clients and the counseling profession (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.j), and participation in professional counseling organizations as a means of professional growth and leadership development (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i). Through this role, I contribute to initiatives that promote ethical practice, professional collaboration, and the advancement of counseling services within diverse communities across the state.
Artifact 5a - This artifact is a letter of recommendation written in support of my professional development as a counselor and emerging counselor educator. The letter reflects my commitment to ethical practice, professional engagement, and leadership within the counseling profession. External evaluations from professional colleagues provide insight into my counseling skills, professional character, and contributions to the field. This artifact demonstrates the development of professional counselor identity and recognition of professional competence by colleagues within the counseling profession. The evaluation aligns with CACREP competencies related to professional counselor identity and roles within the profession (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), engagement in professional activities and organizations (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i), and commitment to ethical and professional counseling practice (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.b).
Artifact 5b - This artifact is an additional letter of recommendation that reflects professional recognition of my counseling skills, leadership, and contributions to the counseling profession. Letters of recommendation from professional colleagues provide external perspectives on professional competence, leadership, and commitment to the counseling profession. This artifact highlights my dedication to ethical counseling practice, professional collaboration, and service within the counseling community. The letter demonstrates recognition of my professional growth and contributions within the field while reinforcing my commitment to continued professional development. This artifact aligns with CACREP standards related to professional counselor identity (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), participation in professional counseling organizations and activities (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i), and adherence to ethical and professional counseling standards (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.b).
Artifact 6 - This artifact reflects the development of professional counselor identity and engagement with the regulatory and ethical structures that govern professional counseling practice. Licensure aligns with CACREP standards related to professional counselor identity and credentialing (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.b), professional roles and functions of counselors within the mental health field (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.c), and active participation in professional credentialing and professional organizations that support counselor development and professional advocacy (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i). Through obtaining and maintaining licensure, I demonstrate commitment to ethical practice, professional accountability, and the ongoing advancement of counseling competencies in service to diverse client populations.
Artifact 7 - My involvement with the Chamber of Commerce reflects engagement in community leadership and advocacy that extends beyond traditional clinical settings. This service aligns with CACREP standards related to counselor advocacy and leadership within communities (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.j), professional counselor identity and leadership development (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), and participation in professional and interdisciplinary organizations that support collaboration and professional growth (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i). Through this role, I contribute to community partnerships and initiatives that promote mental health awareness, strengthen community resources, and support the broader integration of counseling perspectives within community leadership and policy discussions.
Artifact 8 - Participation in national professional presentations supports the advancement of professional counselor identity and engagement with broader professional communities. This artifact aligns with CACREP standards related to multicultural and social justice competence in counseling practice (CACREP Standard 2.F.2.d), counselor advocacy and the promotion of equitable access to mental health services (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.j), and active engagement in professional activities that support counselor development and leadership within the field (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i). Through this opportunity, I contribute to professional discourse surrounding culturally responsive counseling practices and the advancement of inclusive mental health care for diverse populations.
Artifact 9 - This artifact reflects my attendance at the North Carolina Counseling Association (NCCA) Annual Conference, as documented through my conference registration. Participation in professional conferences provides opportunities for continued professional development, engagement with emerging research and evidence-based practices, and collaboration with counseling professionals across specialty areas. Through conference attendance, I participated in educational sessions addressing current issues in counseling practice, ethics, supervision, and professional advocacy, while also networking with counselors, counselor educators, and students across the state. These professional gatherings support the exchange of knowledge and best practices that strengthen the counseling profession and enhance service delivery to diverse client populations. Participation in professional conferences reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and engagement in the broader counseling profession, aligning with CACREP standards related to professional counselor identity and participation in professional activities (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), engagement in professional counseling organizations (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i), and ongoing professional development to maintain ethical and competent counseling practice (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.b).
Artifact 10 - Participation in national professional conferences strengthens professional counselor identity, supports ongoing engagement with our counseling community, and promotes awareness of national initiatives that influence counseling practice, training, and policy. My participation in this conference reflects a commitment to continued professional growth and active engagement in the counseling profession, aligning with CACREP standards related to the development of professional counselor identity (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), participation in professional counseling organizations (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i), and advocacy processes that address institutional and social barriers impacting the counseling profession and the clients we serve (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.j).
Artifact 11 - This artifact is a membership engagement and recruitment video I created to support outreach efforts for the North Carolina Counseling Association (NCCA). The video was developed to promote professional involvement in the organization, encourage counselor engagement across the state, and highlight the importance of professional community within the counseling profession. Through this initiative, I contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening professional participation and increasing awareness of opportunities for advocacy, professional development, and leadership within NCCA. Creating communication materials designed to engage counseling professionals reflects leadership and service within professional organizations and demonstrates commitment to strengthening the counseling profession through active participation and outreach. This artifact aligns with CACREP standards related to professional counselor identity and leadership (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.f), engagement in professional counseling organizations (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.i), and advocacy efforts that promote the growth and visibility of the counseling profession (CACREP Standard 2.F.1.j).
Leadership & Advocacy Reflection
Leadership and advocacy within the counseling profession have become central components of professional identity. Throughout my career, I have consistently gravitated toward leadership opportunities that enable me to advance the counseling profession and support the development of future counselors and counselor educators. During my doctoral training, coursework such as COUC 890 further strengthened my understanding of leadership within professional organizations, including governance, advocacy, policy development, and professional service. The readings, assignments, and discussions in this course expanded my understanding of how leadership functions within the counseling profession and how counselor educators can influence the field's direction through service, policy engagement, and professional advocacy.
My leadership involvement has continued to grow through my work within professional organizations. I currently serve as President-Elect of the North Carolina Counseling Association and I will assume the role of President in July. In this capacity, I have been actively involved in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and professional advocacy efforts that support counselors across the state. One of my primary responsibilities has included planning and coordinating the annual professional counseling conference. This work has involved reviewing presentation proposals, collaborating with conference planning committees, and helping to develop programming that supports continuing education and professional development for counselors. Participating in the proposal review process has allowed me to engage with emerging scholarship and practice innovations within the counseling profession while also helping to ensure that conference programming reflects the current needs of practicing clinicians, counselor educators, and counseling students. In addition to these roles, I have served in a variety of leadership capacities, including secretary, graduate division president, participation on the Human Rights Committee, and advocacy and legislation initiatives, military and family counseling work, and involvement in re-establishing the North Carolina Counseling Journal. Through these experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of organizational leadership, board governance, bylaws, and fiduciary responsibilities. Serving within NCCA leadership for the past several years has allowed me to actively participate in decisions that influence the counseling profession across North Carolina while collaborating with leaders across the Southern Region and the broader reach of the ACA.
These leadership experiences have also strengthened my professional voice and confidence as an advocate for the counseling profession. The counseling field currently faces numerous challenges, including shortages, increasing mental health needs within communities, evolving licensure regulations, and ongoing policy discussions that impact counselors’ scope of practice and professional identity. As a result, advocacy has become more important than ever for protecting the profession and ensuring that counselors are able to effectively serve diverse client populations. Through my leadership roles, I have developed a deeper sense of appreciation of the importance of engaging in advocacy at the state, regional, and national levels to support counselors and promote equitable access to counseling and clinical mental health services.
At the same time, leadership within professional organizations presets ongoing opportunities for growth. Navigating professional governance structures, collaborating with diverse leadership perspectives, and balancing multiple professional responsibilities have challenged me to further refine my leadership approach. These experiences have strengthened my communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills, while helping me develop a leadership style grounded in service and professional stewardship. I remain committed to continuing my leadership development through ongoing service, mentorship, and participation in professional organizations.
My faith in Christ also plays an important role in how I approach leadership and advocacy. During moments when leadership responsibilities feel overwhelming or when I experience self-doubt, I rely on my faith for guidance and strength. I believe that God called me to serve others through my work as a counselor, educator, and leader within the counseling profession. This perspective encourages me to approach leadership with humility and commitment to servant leadership. I strive to use the opportunities God has called me to do to support counselors, advocate for clients, and contribute to the continued growth and integrity of the counseling profession. In conclusion, my leadership and advocacy experiences throughout the doctoral program have strengthened my professional identity as a counselor educator committed to service, professional advocacy, and organizational leadership. These experiences have prepared me to continue to contributing to the counseling field, and Liberty has taught me to use the voice that God has given me for good.
CACREP-Aligned Syllabi for Leadership & Advocacy Competencies:
COUC 860 Counseling Leadership and Advocacy:
COUC 998 Research Internship: