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Dr. Heidi Henry, associate professor of Counselor Education, presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Conference, held Oct. 8-12 in Philadelphia.

Henry presented “A Student-Centered Approach: Empowering versus Enabling Instructor Behaviors.”  The presentation examined the difference between empowering and enabling instructor behaviors in counselor education and focusing on fostering a student-centered approach to learning, resulting in critical thinking, collaboration, accountability and resilience.

Henry, along with Dr. Ashley Luedke from Canisius University, also presented “Are You In or Out? A Relational-Cultural Approach to Gatekeeping.” The presentation examined the emotional and ethical challenges of gatekeeping in counselor education and highlighted the value of a relational-cultural approach to foster understanding and support for both educators and students through empathy, connection and mutual growth.  

In addition to her conference presentations, Henry was honored with the 2025 Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision (JCPS) Outstanding Journal Article Award from the North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES). This award honors exemplary scholarship that advances the field of counselor education through excellence in research, theory development, or applied practice. The award-winning article, “The Power of Choice: Comparing Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning,” was coauthored with two St. Bonaventure Counselor Education alumni: Kayla Newkirk (MSED in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2023) and Lauren Guggenberger (MSED in School Counseling, 2024). The project was also supported by a 2023–2024 Keenan Grant.