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College of Education

Rhonda WilliamsRhonda Williams

Assistant Professor
Counseling and Human Services
College of Education

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 262-4167

rwilliam@uccs.edu


The 25 years in public education has served Rhonda Williams well in her current position as Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Human Services Department of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Implementation of the American School Counselor Association National Model is a major focus of her work and research. Rhonda is currently involved in research on adolescent girl issues and understanding the concept of girl bullying.

As a former public school counselor, Rhonda Williams has had the opportunity to work in many types of schools and districts for the past 25years. It is her pleasure to teach others about that which she has such passion. Her heart lies with her school counseling profession as she has served as President-Elect, President and Past-President of both Colorado and Kansas School Counselor Associations. Rhonda has been fortunate enough to receive the Colorado Middle School Counselor of the Year award, and the American School Counselor Association Middle School Counselor of the year. These honors have served to encourage her advocacy for the school counseling profession.

As an Assistant Professor, Rhonda Williams continues her interest and research in the school counseling domain while also pursuing her interests in experiential education, adolescent and gender issues, and educational collaboration. Much of her professional research and service is focused on a program for adolescent girls called Smart Girl, while she continues to present the American School Counselor Association National Model to several districts throughout the Colorado region.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs Community Service Award (2007).
  • Barry Weinhold Counseling and Human Services Alumni Award (2003) for recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of counseling.
  • Sherman County Walmart Educator of the Year (1999).
  • Coloraodo School Counselor Association Lance Huffman Award for dedication to school counseling. (1992).
  • American School Counselor Association Middle School Counselor of the Year (1991).
  • Coloraodo School Counselor Association Middle School Counselor of the Year (1990).
  • Falcon School District Award of Excellence in Education (1990).
  • Colorado Business Alliance Educator of the Year (1989).

Education

Ed.D. Counseling Education
Kansas State University - 2003

M.A., Counseling and Guidance
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs - 1986

B.A., Physical Education
Kansas State Universiry - 1975

Teaching

Roles and Functions of a School Counselor

Organization and Administration of School Counseling

School Counseling Practicum and Internship Supervision

Social and Cultural Issues for Counseling

Theories and Techniques of Counseling

Ethical Trends and Issues in Counseling

Scholarship

Elaine Cheesman, Rhonda Williams, Julie Armentrout, and Clint Fisher. Black History Bulletin Vol 69, NO. 2, Freedom’s Song -- 100 Years of African American Struggle and Triumph: A Curriculum for Middle and High School Students

Presentations:

Williams, R. L. (2007, Sept, 19) How to bully proof your daughter. Keynote speech Smart-Girl State Luncheon. Denver, CO.

Williams, R. L. (2007, Aug 14). How to talk to teens so they will listen. Colorado Springs Assets for Youth. Colorado Springs, CO.

Williams, R. L. & Noorulamin, S. (2007, Aug, 9). What about Smart-Girl? Colorado Trust Conference, Denver, CO.

Williams, R. L. (2007, June 26). Legal and ethical essues in working with minors in schools. Presented at the American School Counselor Association Conference, Denver, CO.

Williams, R. L. (2007, Mar 11). The stress mess. Keynote speech, Kansas Regional Bank Association.

Williams, R. L. (2007, Mar 16). How school counselors can impact the achievement gap. Colorado Pre-Colligate Conference, Denver, CO.

Williams, R. L. (2007, Jan 27) Impacting the achievement gap. University of Colorado Colorado Springs Culturally Responsive Teaching and Counseling Symposium. Colorado Springs, CO.

Williams, R. L. (2006, Nov 14). Impacting the achievement gap. Presentation for Colorado School Counselor Association, Denver, CO.

Williams, R. L. & Athanas, G. (2006, Aug 10). Leadership collaboration in improving student achievement. Presentation for Colorado Association for School Executives.

Publications

Williams, R. L. & Ferber, A. (2007). Facilitating Smart-Girl: Feminist pedagogy in service learning in action. Feminist Educator Journal. (In Press).

ASCA Professional Magazine:

Williams, R. (2007, Sept/Oct.). Totell or not to tell: The question of informed consent. American School Counselor, 45/1, 10-11.
http://www.schoolcounselor.org/article.asp?article=955&paper=91&cat=140

Williams, R. (2007, July/Aug,). Does evolution exist? American School Counselor, 44/6, 8-9.
http://www.schoolcounselor.org/article.asp?article=943&paper=91&cat=140
A history of where the American School Counselor Association has been and where we are today regarding ethical issues.

Williams, R. (2007 May/June).The ethics of substance-abuse issues: American School Counselor, 44/5, 8-9. http://www.schoolcounselor.org/article.asp?article=927&paper=91&cat=140
Navigating the difficult issues of substance abuse, when to disclose danger to parents and when to keep the confidentiality between the student and the school counselor.

Williams, R. (2007, Mar/April). Superhero or super stressed: American School Counselor, 44/4, 10-11. http://www.schoolcounselor.org/printarticle.asp?article=91&cat=140.
Self care for the school counselor who tries to be all things to all people, including some of the ethical pitfalls that can occur when we are stressed out and overworked.

Williams, R (2007, Jan/Feb.). Raising red flags in data collection: American School Counselor 44/3, 10-11.
http: www.schoolcounselor.org/printarticle.asp?article=905
Ethical issues regarding collecting data, confidentiality of the data and how it will be used.

Williams, R. (2006, Nov/Dec). To flunk is a lifetime sentence: American School Counselor 44/2, 10-11.
http://www.schoolcounselor.org/printarticle.asp?article=894
Williams, R. (2004, Jul/Aug). The power of many. American School Counselor 41/6, 42-48.
Information about retaining students in the same grade and the ethics of supporting failing students.

Workshops and Trainings

Williasms, R. L. & MacIver, D. L. (2007, Oct,1-5). Team development Workshop. Daegu, Korea, English Village.

Williams, R. L. (2007, Sept. 27) Communication skills workshop. UCCS Trauma Center training with CS Fire Department.

Williams R. L. & Noorulamin, S. (2007, Aug 17-21). Smart-Girl guide and coaches 4 day training, Colorado Springs.

Williams R. L. & Noorulamin, S. (2007, May 10-14). Smart-Girl guide and coaches 4 day training, Pueblo.

Williams R. L. & Noorulamin, S. (2007, Jan 17-20). Smart-Girl guide and coaches 4 day training, Colorado Springs.

Service

Community

  • Volunteer, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
  • Diversity
  • Diversity Foundation
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Women & Ethnic
  • Smart-Girl Regional Program Director
  • Trauma Center Bd


State / National


Professional Organization and Service

  • American School Counselor Association
    • Ethics Chair (2005-present).
    • Professional Interest Network chair (2004-2006)
    • Ethics Committee Member, (2002-2003) - rewrote ASCA Ethical Guidelines
    • Advocacy Chairperson, (1994-95, 1995-96)
    • Co-Directed National Governmental Relations Workshop, Washington D.C. (1995, 1996)
    • Wrote National Advocacy program and developed video (1994-1996).
    • Professional Recognition Chair (1993-1994). Chaired National Awards Presentation & directed luncheon.
    • PIN for Advisement Programs. (1991-1992).
    • Delegate Assembly Delegate for Kansas. (2000- 2001).
    • Delegate Assembly Delegate for Colorado. (1990-1991).
  • Kansas School Counselor Association:
    • President, (2000-2001).
    • President Elect, (1999-2000).
  • Kansas Counselor Association:
    • Human Rights Chair (1999-2000)
  • Kansas Association of Peer Programs:
    • Vice President (1998-2001)
    • Co directed State Peer Counseling Conferences (1998-2001)
    • Co-directed Peer Counseling Trainer of Trainers Programs (1998-2001).
  • Colorado School Counselor Association:
    • Post Secondary Vice President (2004-present).
    • Advocacy Chair (1993-1995).
    • President-(1991-1992).
    • President Elect, (1990-1991).
    • Past President (1992-1993).
      • Established State Capitol Legislative Breakfast, and
      • Established State Counselor Advocacy Board.
    • Middle Level Vice President (1988-1991), Established State Middle School Counselor Conference 1988, 1989
    • Peer Counseling Chair (1986-1989) Established State Peer Counseling Conference, High School and Middle School Conferences