Front row (L-R) Amanda Culhan (IDOE), Melba Salmon (Guidance Director at John Marshall High School), Second row (L-R) Dr. Tom Keller (Butler University, Program Director for Graduate School Counseling), Susan Kleinman (Butler University, Coordinator for Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program), Dr. Brandie Oliver (Associate Professor, Butler University), Matt Fleck (CCR Consultant), Dr. Nick Abel (Associate Professor, Butler University), and Amy Marsh (Chamber of Commerce).
Several of our faculty from the College of Education Graduate School Counseling program were invited to be part of the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative, which is focusing on college and career readiness. This convening was a partnership between the White House’s College Opportunity Agenda and the Reach Higher Initiative. Dr. Tom Keller and his Butler colleagues were honored to have been chosen to be part of the team that represented Indiana for the event. The Reach Higher Initiative is a part of President Obama’s plan to improve the value of college, remove barriers to innovation and competition, and ensure student debt remains affordable for all students. The First Lady continued this call to action by creating the Reach Higher Initiative, which strives to encourage every student to complete their high school education, be it through a professional training program, community college or four-year college/university. This particular event concentrated on the impact of school counselors and how they can influence college enrollment. The College of Education is really excited about the opportunity to help shape this national conversation!
If you’d like more information about the COE Graduate School Counseling program or the Reach Higher Initiative and Butler’s involvement, please feel free to contact Dr. Tom Keller, Program Director of the Graduate School Counseling Program.