Eight Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate students from Texas A&M University-Texarkana recently visited the Texas State Capitol to advocate for professional counselors with members of the legislature.
Students attending the Texas Counseling Association legislative advocacy day included Katrina Brown and Jillian Kinney, both of Texarkana, Texas; Shannon Freeman of Wake Village, Texas; Sterlin Lujan and Sydney Schoen, both of Texarkana, Arkansas; Veronica Ozura of DeQueen, Arkansas; Jeff Sikes of Alleene, Arkansas; Gabby Thompson of Atlanta, Texas.
Dr. Enobong Inyang, assistant professor of counseling and psychology, and Dr. Teri Sartor, assistant professor of counseling education, accompanied the students on the visit.
“This was a great opportunity for these students to see how legislation dictates their future profession and how they can have an impact,” said Dr. Sartor. “It was an excellent learning opportunity for them on several fronts, including ethics, professionalism, and advocacy for the current/future clients, the profession and the self.”
Later this year, Dr. Inyang will become president-elect of the 684-member Texas Mental Health Counselors Association, a division of the Texas Counseling Association and an affiliate of the American Mental Health Counseling Association, and begin a four-year commitment that includes two years as president and a year as past president.