The Syracuse Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for professional counseling, recently recognized Le Moyne’s own Anne Kearney, director of the Wellness Center for Health and Counseling, as an outstanding practitioner supervisor.
According to their website, Chi Sigma Iota’s mission is to “promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, advocacy and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.”
There are currently 279 chapters of this society, including a chapter at Syracuse University, known as Sigma Upsilon, which was established in 2004.
Kearney was nominated by Sarah Spiegelhoff, who has interned at Le Moyne’s Wellness Center for the past three years. Spiegelhoff was also recognized by the organization for her service to her chapter.
“I was honored to be nominated and then chosen, because I’m certain that there are a number of outstanding supervisors in the Syracuse area that could have been recognized,” said Kearney. “So, just to be recognized with this was a surprise.
“When someone receives this kind of award, I always consider the context. I look at my situation, and know that I’m working in a community, here at Le Moyne, that totally supports me and excellence across the board. It makes me feel proud to work here and be part of that.”
In order to be both nominated and selected, Kearney was subject to certain criteria, which required her to be a current clinical site supervisor, spend at least 10 percent of her time in direct supervision of clinical counseling services, identify herself as a professional counselor, have credentials (school, state, national, etc.) as a professional counselor, currently be a member in good standing with state or national credentialing bodies, publish or present at professional meetings and otherwise educate other practitioners.
Deb Cady Melzer, vice president for student development, seconded Kearney’s nomination, saying, “Anne plays a pivotal role in leading an integrated office of health and counseling that focuses on the holistic care of our students. Her knowledge of best practices and theory empowers the staff on both the counseling and health side to support the physical, psychological and spiritual development of our students.”
Since becoming director of Le Moyne’s wellness program, Kearney has focused her efforts on providing the college community with holistic care, noting that health involves all aspects of the individual, not just the physical.
“I’ve had this vision for a while now,” she began. “I’d love to get funding to build an integrated center that houses both of our buildings [health and counseling], as well as some creative spaces for taking care of the whole person. Like, I think it’d be great to have a meditation spot. There are so many different ways of staying healthy, body, mind and spirit, that we haven’t tapped into yet, but we’re well on our way and I know we’ll keep working towards it.”
Kearney hopes that this award will also mean great things for Le Moyne, noting that being recognized by a notable organization, such as Chi Sigma Iota, generates publicity for the Wellness Center, as well as the college’s partnership with Syracuse University and SUNY Oswego. Le Moyne’s center currently boasts five interns.
“It helped give recognition to Le Moyne as a college,” said Kearney. “So, it’s nice to be known in that circle. Sometimes I think Le Moyne is a little overshadowed by the orange, and we’re a gem that really deserves this kind of attention. I was happy to represent our school and its excellence.”
