Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
Virginia Tech (aka Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
2009 Youth Purpose Research Award Winner
Laura E. Welfare is Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Prior to her acdemic appointment, she was a licensed professional counselor working with children, adolescents, and adults. Her resarch interests include developing evidence-based practices in counseling, supervision, and counselor education.
Elysia V. Clemens is Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado in Greely, Colorado. Prior to her academic appointment, she was a licensed school counselor working with children and adolescents in school and hospital settings. Her research interests include school counselor education and adolescent mental health.
School counselors work to facilitate academic, social, and career development in the children and adolescents they serve. This project includes the development of a small group program to help middle school students identify positive purposes in their lives. Several school counselors will facilitate the program and then collect information about its effectiveness. The researchers will use the student and school counselor feedback to improve the program before publishing the finished product.
