GCCA Annual Awards

Every year, the Georgia College Counseling Association offers seven awards that are presented at the annual conference in the spring. The awards are great way to identify and encourage those in college counseling who are making a difference. To nominate someone please complete the form here: Award Nominations

Advocacy for College Counseling Award: Demonstrated advocacy of college counseling services or an organization which has made a significant contribution to the improvement of college counseling services; may honor a college president, vice president, dean, board member, or legislator who has made a significant impact on the national, state, or local level. Need not be a member of GCCA.

Professional Leadership Award: This award is given for demonstrated leadership in some aspect of college counseling and/or GCCA.

Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year Award: This award is given in honor of Sylvia Shortt, one of the founding members of GCCA who passed away in Dec 2020. Sylvia was a champion of college counselors in Georgia and across the country as well as being a strong advocate for international students. She served in various leadership roles in GCCA, ACCA, SCCCP, NAFSA, Association of International Educators, and other organizations. She retired in 2012 after 31 years at University of West Georgia as counselor, advisor to the International Student Program, and the Associate Director of International Services and Programs. This award honors Sylvia’s dedication to the field by recognizing a counselor for their clinical excellence and/or meritorious service in college counseling.

Clinical Program of the Year Award: This award recognizes the development and implementation of a unique clinical program or group for college students.

Graduate Student Meritorious Award: This award recognizes meritorious service by a graduate student to the profession of college counseling and/or GCCA.

College Counseling Director of the Year Award: This award recognizes excellence as a College Counseling Center director.

Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge Award: This award is given for a demonstrated contribution to the advancement of college counseling theory and/or practice by means of a dissertation, thesis, publication, or scholarly presentation.

2023 Winners

Advocacy for College Counseling Award: Augusta Technical College
Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year: Andre Griggs, Georgia Highlands College
Clinical Program of the Year: Practicum Training Program, Valdosta State University
Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge: Melinda Rule, Georgia Southern University

2022 Winners

Advocacy for College Counseling Award: Shay Little, Georgia Southern University
Professional Leadership: Amy Laughter, Augusta Technical College
Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year: Traci Westin, Augusta University
Clinical Program of the Year: Alissa Tertichny, Kennesaw State University
Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge: Keith Gunnerson, Georgia Southern University

2021 Winners

Professional Leadership: Adebayo Onabule, Augusta University
Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year: Nikita Robinson, Georgia Southern University
Clinical Program of the Year: “Creating Champions” by Mark Taracuk, Georgia Southern University
Graduate Student Meritorious Service: Marquietta Green & Randy LaMons, Augusta University
Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge: Mark Taracuk, Georgia Southern University

2020 Winners

President’s Grant: Mark Taracuk, Georgia Southern University
Advocacy Award: Benita Jenkins, Augusta Technical College
Professional Leadership: Lizy Humphrey, Augusta University
Counselor of the Year: Dorothy Morgan, Georgia Highlands College
Clinical Program of the Year: Angela Landers, Georgia Southern University
Graduate Student Meritorious Service: Caroline Miller, Georgia Southern University
College Counseling Director of the Year: Tonja Simmons Lee, Central Georgia Technical College
Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge: John Frevert, University of West Georgia

2019 Winners

President’s Grant: T. Dawson Woodrum, Fielding Graduate University
Professional Leadership: Jodi Caldwell, Georgia Southern University
Counselor of the Year: Cheri Mattox-Carroll, Chattahoochee Technical College
Training Program of the Year: Georgia Southern University’s Doctoral Internship