BSCTC Professor and Counselor Receives National Counselors Award

Professor and Counselor Elizabeth M. Cole of Big Sandy Community and Technical College has been awarded a professional development scholarship from the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC). Professor Cole will receive $500 to advance the professional identity and development of CCE credential holders. 

Professor Cole wishes to bring new training opportunities to students, noting that career facilitation and coaching skills should be taught at the community college level. Students could take these courses and certificates as part of their electives in general education degrees or the Human Services AAS degree. Ms. Cole’s plan is to offer these courses and certificates nationwide through web conferencing, so these opportunities might interest college students at other institutions as well as working professionals looking to develop new knowledge and skills. 

 The National Career Development Association’s (NCDA) “Facilitating Career Development” curriculum will be the core of this training. Students who complete the courses would be able to pursue external certifications, including NCDA career certifications and the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential. Additional opportunities will be offered, including life coaching and health and wellness coaching courses and certificates. 

These programs will lead to the opportunity to pursue the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential with the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches (ICHWC). Participants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher may also be able to pursue the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential.