Seminary of the Southwest’s counseling program was recently announced as a recipient of the Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) Outstanding Counseling Program Award. This award acknowledges a counseling program that reflects the mission of CSJ in their training of future counselors, work in the community, and advocacy.
“We are delighted and humbled to be recognized with the CSJ Outstanding Counseling Program Award, which affirms the work we continue to do to promote the flourishing of all beings,” said Dr. Maria Spellings, assistant professor of counselor education at Southwest. “At the same time, the work of effecting positive change is a collective effort and we stand in solidarity with all the helpers and change agents across the world.”
“This award celebrates all those who have made our Counselors for Social Justice chapter so vibrant, and it honors, most particularly, Dr. Maria Spellings, whose vision and energy have made this organization a model worthy of national recognition,” said Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, academic dean at Seminary of the Southwest. “In this work, Maria has brought together her deep care for students, her passion for justice, and her skills for leadership to create transformative experiences for our students and those they work with. I am grateful for and proud of the work Maria and the student leaders are doing in CSJ.”
According to their website, the national organization of Counselors for Social Justice is a division of the American Counseling Association dedicated to increasing awareness and knowledge of social justice concerns, enhancing the ability of counselors to engage in social justice advocacy, and building a community of counselors committed to social justice.
“It’s high honor for the work of our Southwest chapter of Counselors for Social Justice to be recognized at the national level by a division of the American Counseling Association,” said Dr. Gena St. David, Director of the Loise Henderson Wessendorff Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation and Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Southwest. “This award spotlights the leadership of CSJ officers, including Kevin Overton-Hadnot, Jane Obi, and other Mental Health Counseling student leaders, in the work of justice to promote racial and sociopolitical equity. Their actions are an embodiment of their commitment to the role of counselor as advocate and to the MHC students’ investment in the building of beloved community.”
In line with the Southwest Counseling Program’s commitment to the development of multicultural competence and anti-racist pedagogy, a chapter of CSJ was founded at Southwest beginning in the summer of 2020. Since then, multiple trainings and events have been held to support the vision of CSJ, leading to this recognition. Most recently, the Southwest’s CSJ organized and led a Celebrate Black Austin walking tour in February as part of Southwest’s many events celebrating Black History Month.
Counselors for Social Justice at Seminary of the Southwest are committed to promoting human flourishing as a spiritual and sacred right. Their mission states that, “we believe social transformation starts by healing our own bias, challenging our comfort zones, and connecting with the experiences of those who are different than we are. CSJ aspires to serve the people of Austin by providing a brave, inclusive community and expert resources for reflection, education and informed social justice action.
