Counseling Faculty & Student Win Honors at Statewide Conference

Dr. Jake Johnson Receives MD Counseling Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – The Maryland Counseling Association honored three Bowie State University counseling faculty, along with a master’s degree student, with leadership, service and excellence awards in the counseling field at its 2020 Conference last month.

Associate Professor Jake Johnson received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extensive contributions to the professional organization and the field of counseling. Dr. Johnson has more than 30 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor, working with children, adolescents and families. In addition to teaching in Bowie State’s mental health counseling program, he also trains professional counselors.

“It’s gratifying to receive the award,” said Dr. Johnson, who has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles with the Maryland Counseling Association. “I don’t really look for returns on the work that I do other than the fact that people are developing their lives and building their own profession, becoming involved in the everyday activities of the association and keeping it vital. I really get great enjoyment out of seeing the students who become professional counselors and are truly committed to the profession, having a true purpose in the field and helping people. To me, that’s the greatest gratification.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to Dr. Johnson’s honor, assistant counseling professors Marja Humphrey and Mark Bolden, both received the Presidential Award for their dedicated service to the association and the counseling field. Michael McGee, a student in the master’s degree in counseling psychology and the BSU Graduate Student Association president, received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

“All of the faculty recognized by the Maryland Counseling Association this year have regularly presented sessions at the annual conference and involved our students, encouraging them to be active in community organizations. Having three professors and a student win awards at the conference in one year brings more recognition to the university,” said Dr. Otis Williams, chair of the BSU Department of Counseling. “For Dr. Jake Johnson to win the lifetime achievement award, it speaks highly to his commitment over the last 30 years to the organization and serving the state of Maryland. Drs. Marja Humphrey and Mark Bolden are especially active in bringing in new leadership within the organization.” 

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