Student Achievements
School Counseling Graduate Student Receives Scholarship Award
January 22, 2018
The Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA) has honored Ashleigh Dean, a graduate student in the Master of Education in School Counseling program. She received the 2017 Harry and Susanne Clay Scholarship award at the MSCA annual fall conference. Ashleigh said, “Receiving this award was not only a financial blessing, but it was a statement of my commitment to education, my students, and my community”.
Ashleigh was acknowledged for her successes by her professor, Judy Williams. Judy explained that Ashleigh “has the ability to empathetically connect with those she works with during counseling skill developmental sessions and exhibits a strong devotion to excellence in all she does. Her dedication to the youngest of students is evident and I know that Ashleigh would be a very strong advocate for the need of K-12 comprehensive developmental counseling programs”.
Throughout Ashleigh’s graduate education at GVSU, Shawn Bultsma has also been a contributor towards her success. As a mentor, advisor, and professor, Shawn “inspires me to keep my faith and to keep fighting for students and their overall well-being”.
Ashleigh has years of experience in the field, which have shaped her into the educator she is today. In addition to graduate studies at GVSU, Ashleigh teaches preschool at a local elementary school. Ashleigh also volunteers her free time on Sunday’s by teaching to young children at a local church. This summer, Ashleigh plans to teach co-Ed worship/interpretative dance at a summer camp. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University and completed an integrated science program that allows her to teach 6-8 grade science.
Ashleigh is preparing for an internship in fall of 2018, and her dream is to continue to learn and grow in the field of school counseling, to foster the knowledge she has gained and support her current school community.
Congratulations to Ashleigh on the award and making a huge impact in her community!