Supporting Marginalized Students in Counselor Education and Supervision Programs

Social justice and advocacy for underrepresented individuals are hallmarks of the counseling profession. Evidence is apparent as counselor education and supervision programs prepare students with leadership skills and dispositions to advocate for individuals, groups, and communities. In addition, students who represent marginalized groups must overcome cultural and systemic barriers to access counselor education programs, advance research, navigate culturally dominant pedagogy, and progress in doctoral programs as well as successive careers. Therefore, it is critical to provide opportunities for marginalized students to feel sought after, supported, and esteemed from recruitment to graduation and beyond. Incorporating existing and well-established programs such as the Holmes Scholars Program, the National Board for Certified Counselors’ Minority Fellowship Program, and the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity provides the needed support for marginalized students to advance the profession’s ideals toward social justice and advocacy.