ACA/HBCU C.A.R.E.S. Teams Up to Support to Diversity in Counseling

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is pleased to welcome the inaugural cohort of HBCU C.A.R.E.S. Ambassadors to the 2023 ACA Conference & Expo in Toronto, Canada, March 30–April 1.

HBCU C.A.R.E.S.’ mission is to raise awareness of and offer access to behavioral health fields for diverse students. HBCU C.A.R.E.S. administers a number of activities geared toward developing students for these careers, including a graduate student ambassador program that helps undergraduate students learn more about behavioral health. Seven HBCU C.A.R.E.S. Ambassador alumni will attend the Conference & Expo. ACA will cover travel expenses and conference registration for the delegation, who will also receive career consultations and access to special sessions, meetups and network events geared toward graduate students and young professionals.

Congratulations to the 2023 Ambassadors:

“HBCU C.A.R.E.S. Ambassadors have helped over 2,000 undergraduates explore career paths in counseling and other behavioral health fields,” said HBCU C.A.R.E.S. Director Leonissa Johnson, PhD, NCC. "The HBCU Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health team is honored that ACA is recognizing their efforts, and opening doors for delegates to connect, engage, and grow at the 2023 conference.”

“Developing the next generation of counselors is central to our mission at ACA. Members of the HBCU CARES delegation represent the present and the future of the counseling profession. They are both young professionals in the early stages of their career and passionate advocates committed to inspiring the love for counseling in students,” said ACA President Kim Frazier, PhD, LPC, LMFT, NCC. “We are delighted to host these bright and dedicated young professional counselors at our annual conference and we hope this is a relationship that will grow and continue for many years into the future.”

The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA represents nearly 60,000 members and is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings.