Author: marinasonlineportfolio

Vernon Smith, PhD

Lastly, one of the Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership Faculty Presenting at the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ in Seattle, Washington.

Title of Presentation: Parent Involvement Factors from the Perspective of Academically Successful Black Male College Students: Enhancing Counselors’ Competencies

Abstract/Program Description: Despite decades of research on Black males’ academic underachievement, the achievement gap persists. Some researchers have suggested one cause may be lack of parental involvement, while others have highlighted positive statements from Black males regarding parental involvement factors that contributed to their academic success. This presentation will highlight original data from a strength based study that identified the role of parent involvement in the success of Black male students. This interactive session will enhance counselors’ competencies regarding the use of culturally sensitive strategies to engage parents of Black male students. Discussions will also focus on the barriers that impede parent involvement for this population at the school and collegiate level.

Tina Paone, PhD

Jordan Shannon, MA

Krista Malott. PhD

Another of the Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership Faculty Presenting at the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference⁣⁣⁣⁣ in Seattle, Washington.

Title of Presentation: From Awareness to Commitment and Action: Longitudinal Impact of a Race-Based Counseling Course

Abstract/Program Description: Antiracist advocacy can be complex, difficult, and dynamic! Addressing antiracist advocacy in Counselor Education programs has become a necessity. This presentation is meant for persons of any race or ethnicity, and provides an overview of a unique advanced level race-based course and its long term impact on students. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how graduates use (or don’t use) antiracist tactics taught in their master’s programs. Audience members will engage in dialogue and exploration around preparing students for social justice work in their future careers.

Alyson Pompeo-Fargnoli, PhD

Another of the Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership Faculty Presenting at the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ in Seattle, Washington. 

Title of Presentation: The Future Scholars Program: A Counselor Education Community Partnership to Create Systemic Social Change

Abstract/Program Description: Counselor education programs should strive not only to prepare socially responsible and ethical future counselors but also to encourage students and the institution to connect with the local community to work for social change. This presentation will highlight a University-Community partnership, which enhances the local community while promoting excellence and access for low-income first-generation college-bound high school students. This Future Scholars program contributes to the university through transformative learning experiences and counselor preparation for counseling student interns. From a global perspective, it encourages an increase in future school counselors to be agents of systemic social change. Information will be shared so other counselor education programs can begin creating similar dynamic partnerships.

Congratulations to Carolyn Matassa, student affairs graduate of 2016, on her new position as an Academic Advisor in the Marketing & International Business Department at Monmouth and her continued position as an Advisor at Brookdale!

Congratulations to Ally Ongsuco, student affairs graduate of 2017, on her new position as a Career Coach at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM) College in NYC!

Congratulations to Christine Scalera, school counseling graduate of 2009, on her new position as Lead Counselor and Transition Coordinator at the Gateway School in Orlando, Florida!

Congratulations to Kendall Walker, school counseling graduate of 2019, on her new position as a school counselor at Jonas Salk Middle School in Old Bridge!

Dr. Pompeo-Fargnoli’s article revolves around the Ecofeminist Therapy, an approach which integrates the grounding theories of feminism and ecopsychology. Ecofeminist theory is based on the premise that women and the environment are both degraded by the toxic patriarchal dominant culture. This article helps to frame how professionals can utilize this theory with diverse client populations.

Individuals strive to identify themselves within their environmental context. A defining characteristic of ecopsychology is that our separation from nature/environment manifests in individuals as psychological disorders and human suffering (Pompeo, 2018). This ecopsychology component is the first pillar in the foundation of Ecofeminist Theory. The second pillar is feminism, which explores the internal work for social change, and the various types of oppression that clients face (Pompeo-Fargnoli, 2017). 

Dr. Pompeo-Fargnoli article examines a case study in which a young student was able to benefit immensely from an Ecofeminist approach to counseling. The client was able to connect the direct impact society had on her manifestation of invalid feelings surrounding being a women. The client was also able to utilize nature as a tool to create a “better awareness and understanding of her own emotional journey” (Pompeo, 2018). In conclusion, this article serves as a solid foundation of the emergence of Ecofeminist Theory, and provides a clear example of how the theory can be implemented into successful practice. 

Marina Melillo

Graduate Assistant

Masters of Education, School Counseling

Pompeo-Fargnoli, A. (2017). Women and relationships. In Schwarz, J. (Ed.), Counseling women across the lifespan: Empowerment, advocacy, and intervention. New York, NY: Springer Publishing

Pompeo-Fargnoli, Alyson (2018). Ecofeminist Therapy: From Theory to Practice. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 19(6), 1-16.