At an award ceremony in Dallas, Jacksonville University's Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) earned the 2024 Outstanding Master's Counselor Education Program Award from the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES).

"It is an honor for our department to receive this award from SACES, a leading organization for counselor training programs," said Dr. Bradley McKibben, associate professor of clinical mental health counseling. "This is the second award our department has received in 2024, and it speaks to the hard work and accomplishments of our faculty, the excellence of our students and alumni and the strength of our community partners throughout Florida."

This award highlights master's-level programs that demonstrate exceptional training and education in both core and specialized areas of counseling. The recognition underscores Jacksonville University's commitment to preparing students for successful careers in the mental health field through rigorous academic and practical experiences.

The CMHC program stood out for its comprehensive approach, providing outstanding pre-service and in-service training that emphasizes counseling skills and key components such as supervision, teaching, research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy.

Dr. LaTonya Summers, associate professor and department chair of clinical mental health counseling, expressed pride in the department's dedication to developing future leaders in mental health counseling. "It is my honor to be a part of such an outstanding program. The CMHC faculty and students are hardworking and talented and I'm glad the counseling profession has recognized it with this award."

Adding to this achievement, Katherine Espano, a second-year master's student in the CMHC program, was named the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student-Masters Level Award. This honor is given to a student who exceeds the demands of their master's program and displays exceptional potential for a successful career in counseling.

"I feel so honored to receive this award," said Espano. "This recognition also reflects the incredible support I have received from my program at Jacksonville University. The faculty has encouraged my professional growth and provided invaluable insights into my field. Not only have I learned so much in my program, but I also feel part of a caring community with both faculty and students. I am thankful to be part of Jacksonville University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and am excited to continue contributing to the counseling field."