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The School Counseling program at Cal State Long Beach has been awarded the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) Innovative Counselor Education Program Award.

The award honors programs in the WACES region that exemplify exceptional training and innovation in counseling, supervision, teaching, research, scholarship, leadership, and advocacy. 

������ received the recognition for its pioneering approach to counselor training. The program’s curriculum stands out for its specialized courses, including College Counseling for Equity and Access, Mental Health and Crisis Response in Schools, School Counseling Curriculum and Instructional Design, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for School Counselors.

Each course is infused with principles of social justice and equity, preparing students to lead systemic change in diverse educational environments.

“Our entire program is rooted in equity and social justice, and we model these values by embedding them in every aspect of our operations,” said Dr. Natalie Edirmanasinghe, an assistant professor in the School Counseling program.

This approach, along with the innovative use of the Educator-Counselor (EC) framework, enables ������ graduates to holistically support student well-being — balancing educational and mental health needs while promoting equitable outcomes.

“Our faculty bring invaluable real-world experience into every course they teach, bridging theory with practical application," said Dr. Caroline Lopez-Perry, an associate professor in School Counseling and co-director of the Center to Close the Opportunity Gap. "Their expertise not only shapes our innovative curriculum but also equips our students with the skills needed to make an immediate impact in schools.”

Founded in 1961 as one of five regional organizations of the national Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), WACES includes professionals and students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, as well as Pacific Rim countries.

Its award recognizes School Counseling’s commitment to fostering future leaders in the counseling field who are well-prepared to serve the diverse needs of students. Several ������ graduates have gone on to receive national recognition for model school counseling programs, directly reflecting the rigorous, equity-focused training they received in the program.

Pictured: Current students in the School Counseling program