معرفی
Dr. Karen D. Rowland serves as Professor of Counseling and Department Chair in Mercer University's College of Professional Advancement, Department of Counseling. With nearly 30 years of experience spanning K-12 teaching, school counseling, and counselor education, she brings extensive practical expertise to academic leadership since joining Mercer in 2008.
Her educational foundation includes:
- PhD in Counselor Education, University of South Carolina (2001)
- MEd in Counselor Education, University of Maine (1993)
- BS in Education, University of Maine (1989)
Dr. Rowland's research centers on school counseling implementation, with particular emphasis on trauma-informed practices for P-12 settings, multicultural supervision frameworks, and adolescent social media impacts. Her work bridges the ASCA National Model with real-world crisis intervention through data-driven program evaluation. Recent publications examine digital grief counseling protocols and pandemic-related adolescent coping strategies, reflecting her commitment to evolving school counseling practices through contemporary challenges.
She has received significant recognition including Georgia Counselor Educator of the Year (2012-2013) and selection for the White House Reach Higher Initiative team (2014), demonstrating national impact on counseling policy.
- Georgia state Counselor Educator of the Year (2012-2013)
- White House Reach Higher Initiative participation (2014)
- Georgia School Counselor Association Journal Editor (2013-2019)
As an active mentor, Dr. Rowland has supervised seven graduate theses on topics ranging from burnout in clinical supervision to acculturation stress in international students. She maintains strong community partnerships through the KidsABC Rural Mental Health Collaborative and Lovejoy High School Advisory Board, ensuring students gain practical experience in diverse settings. Her teaching encompasses core courses like Ethics, Crisis Counseling, and School Counseling Administration, with emphasis on trauma-responsive pedagogy.
Dr. Rowland holds multiple clinical certifications including LPC, NCC, and Approved Clinical Supervisor, and actively shapes policy through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Her leadership in the Georgia School Counselor Association (current Board of Directors) and international presentations reflect ongoing commitment to advancing the profession.
