Updates from the Department of Counselor Education : University of Dayton, Ohio

Our department remains deeply collaborative and student-centered, and were proud to celebrate several achievements from this year so far!

Points of Pride

Our graduates continue to be highly sought-after and respected within the community. We have a 100% employment rate across programs for those seeking post-graduation positions!
The Ohio Department of Higher Education approved the expansion of our School Psychology program to our Columbus campus, launching Fall 2026!
We offer an Ecotherapy Certificate ⟶ a one-of-a-kind offering among Ohio’s CMHC and School Counseling programs
The UD Ecotherapy Club became an official student organization in May 2025.
Our interprofessional educational symposiums, held twice annually, bring together helping professionals from four universities for collaborative learning.

Ongoing Initiatives

The Brain Health Collective (BHC) enters its third year of $450,000 funding from the Dayton Foundation, continuing its mission to improve brain health through access to care, professional training, and community research
School-based graduate assistantships continue to provide hands-on experience for School Psychology students
Partnering with multiple LEA’s on new competition for the Mental Health Services Professionals Demonstration grant (i.e., Adams County Ohio Valley SD)

Student Successes

School Psychology student, Ayron McClurg, is one of two recipients of the Ohio School Psychologists Association (OSPA) student scholarships for 2025. She will receive the scholarship at the conference in November! Congratulations Ayron!

Group of students sitting at a table at a restaurant

Student Successes

Current School Counseling student Michaela Short, along with program alumni Jamie Neeley, Natalie Storie, Jen Fitzer, and Corinna Centers, presented at the 2025 Ohio School Counselor Conference, held October 15–17, 2025. Congratulations to all on this achievement!

Woman smiling at the camera in front of a brick wall

Student Successes

Congratulations to Laura Hils presented at the All Ohio Counselors Conference (AOCC) October 29-31, 2025!

Faculty Successes

Dr. Brenda Gerhardt received the Bob Dannehold Award at the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) conference in June, which recognizes outstanding service to underrepresented and marginalized populations, championing access to higher education, and supporting students' postsecondary aspirations.

Faculty Successes

Dr. Elana Bernstein was honored in May at the Spring 2025 Promotions Reception. She has been promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor of School Psychology with tenure.

Faculty Successes

Both Dr. Graham Hunter and Dr. Michele Welkener received SEHS faculty awards—Dr. Hunter was honored with the Award for Scholarship for tenure-track faculty, while Dr. Welkener received the Award for Teaching for tenured faculty.

Man standing on a mountaintop holding a UD flag

Faculty Successes

During his sabbatical, Dr. Scott Hall accomplished the incredible feat of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, covering more than 2,200 miles!

Faculty Successes

Dr. Alan Demmitt and Dr. Scott Hall celebrated 30 years at the University of Dayton, having both been hired in 1995.

Faculty Successes

Rita Tilton, School Counseling Clinical Site Coordinator and adjunct instructor, was selected as the Counselor Educator of the Year by the Ohio School Counselor Association. She was recognized for this achievement at the OSCA Conference on October 16th.