The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows Award, a distinctive honor awarded by the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½, recognizes ÀÖ²©´«Ã½members who have advanced the counseling profession throughout their career.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ Fellows Award acknowledges ÀÖ²©´«Ã½members of professional distinction for significant and unique contributions to the counseling profession on a national level. ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows have a record of demonstrated success, and their work has an enduring impact. While the quantity of one's work (e.g., the number of leadership positions, publications, classes taught, clients served) can be an important factor, this award recognizes those who have gone beyond quantity and provided quality work that has influenced, changed, and significantly advanced the counseling profession and/or counselor practices through their professional practice; scholarly achievement; leadership and governance; and/or teaching, training, supervision and mentoring.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:59pm ET
AWARD NOTIFICATION
Week of January 12, 2026
JUDGES
Candidates are judged by the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows Selection Committee. The Fellows Selection Committee consists of nine ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows who are current members of ACA. Committee members are appointed by the President and serve three-year terms. A Fellow may not serve on the Fellows selection committee in any year in which they nominate or support and endorse an ÀÖ²©´«Ã½member.
PRIZE
Complimentary registration for the 2026 ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Conference and Expo (April 9-11, 2026, Columbus, Ohio), and recognition during event. Winners will receive further information at the time of award notification.
Sponsor: The ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ Foundation
The nominator is responsible for coordinating and submitting required information and supporting materials (endorsement information).
READ FIRST: Nominator Form Information
The nominee is responsible for submitting required documentation and other information.
READ FIRST: Nominee Form Information
ELIGIBILITY, RULES AND CRITERIA
All prospective ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows must adhere to the standard nomination process. In order to apply for ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellow status, a candidate must:
- Be nominated by a past ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellow who is a current member of ACA. An ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellow may not nominate more than one candidate in any given year.
- Have a master's or doctoral degree in counseling.
- Demonstrate a professional identity as a counselor.
- Hold ÀÖ²©´«Ã½membership for at least 15 continuous years at the time they are nominated and agree to maintain membership in ACA.
- Have a commitment to diversity and ethics—as described in the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½mission statement and the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Code of Ethics—and have no ÀÖ²©´«Ã½ethics violations.
- Demonstrate that their contributions are consistent with ACA's mission and serve to advance the counseling profession.
- Hold counseling credentials (e.g., counselor licensure, NCC, CCMHC, NCSC).
Criteria
ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows are individuals who have demonstrated unique and outstanding contributions to the counseling profession, as reflected in the ÀÖ²©´«Ã½mission statement. Fellows have achieved longevity, fidelity and a breadth of contributions as evidenced by sustained, meaningful impacts on counselor practices on a national level and the creation of new paths forward. ÀÖ²©´«Ã½Fellows have made a significant, distinctive and expansive impact on the counseling profession in one or more of the following areas:
- Scholarly Achievement: Publications of impactful counseling articles, books, book chapters and/or the attainment of impactful grants related to counseling theory, practice or research.
- Leadership and Advocacy: The creation of new systems, models or practices that advance the profession and counseling associations.
- Teaching, Training, Supervision and Mentoring: Excellence and innovation in teaching, training, supervision and mentoring; the creation of teaching, training, supervision or mentoring practices or models that support the development of students, new professionals, counselors and/or leaders in the profession.
- Counselor Practice: The creation and dissemination of models of counselor practice or consumer advocacy efforts that have positive outcomes and are recognized at the national/international level.
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