Natoya Haskins named president-elect of ACES
Natoya Haskins, associate professor of counselor education and director of diversity and inclusion at the School of Education, has been selected as the next president of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), the premier professional organization dedicated to the training of counselors in the U.S.
“I am honored to be part of moving our profession forward in a time that is daunted by significant crisis, calls to action and change,” said Haskins.
She will serve as president-elect beginning July 1, 2021, and will assume the role of president in 2022-2023.
“We’re thrilled to see Dr. Haskins step into this role,” said Rob Knoeppel, dean of the School of Education. “Her deep understanding of the counseling profession, commitment to social justice advocacy and demonstrated leadership skills make her an outstanding choice to lead ACES in the coming years.”
As a first-generation college student, who worked for many years as a school counselor with youth in urban communities, Haskins’ life’s work has centered around addressing issues of equity and creating supportive professional and clinical experiences for individuals to become their best selves.
She founded and co-directs the Social Justice & Diversity Research Fellows Program, which brings together researchers from across the university to support and promote research in the areas of social justice and diversity, and served as the co-director of WMSURE, a program that supports undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds as they pursue research.
Recently, she founded Metamorphosis, a national affinity group for Black women in counselor education. The program provides opportunities for mentoring and mutual support, and connects scholars conducting research, particularly in the areas of equity and social justice.
Haskins’ own research focuses on strategies to support underrepresented students and faculty, as well as culturally responsive theories and the role of school counselors as social justice activists.
In early 2021, she was appointed the first director of diversity and inclusion for the School of Education. In this role, she is responsible for leading, envisioning, strategizing, and implementing processes, initiatives, and measurable actions leading toward greater diversity and inclusion within the school.
Throughout her career, Haskins has sought opportunities to serve the profession. She served as the Emerging Leaders Selection Committee co-chair of the Southern Association Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) from 2011-2012. Her service to SACES continued with her election as secretary in 2014 and as president in 2016. During this period as SACES president and past-president, Haskins also served as chair of several ACES taskforces, including Leadership and Emerging Leaders (2017-2019), Vetting and Election Procedures (2017-2018), and Diversity Scholarship (2018-2019). Also at the national level, Haskins is serving as the treasurer for the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) in 2020-2021.
“In my role as ACES President, I would endeavor to address disparities in leadership,” said Haskins. “I look to help members ‘see behind the curtain’ and demystify the leadership experience as well as provide support and leadership enrichment for those who are new to leadership. Using my ‘servant leadership’ style, which has roots in my seminary training and military experience, I will work alongside members of ACES, to model community, inclusivity, and courageous change.”
