Resources and Opportunities

Dr. John Blando is a retired member of the Department of Counseling — beloved professor, and leader in gerontological counseling. Upon his retirement, alumni initiated a scholarship in his name. The John Blando Distinguished Service Award supports a scholarship for a student in the Department of Counseling who has demonstrated experience with, or a commitment to, working with aging adults.

Dr. Amy Hittner was a long time faculty member of the Department of Counseling, Department Chair, Associate Dean of the College, a leader in the counseling community and now Emeriti Professor at San Francisco State University. This award was established to honor Dr. Amy Hittner, and is given to a student of exceptional scholarship and a clear, demonstrated dedication to multicultural persons.

Dr. Peggy Smith was a long-time faculty member in the Department of Counseling, Department Chair and provider in Counseling and Psychological Services. She was committed to excellence in teaching and service and upon her passing in 2002, the Counseling Clinic (a joint partnership between the Department of Counseling and Counseling and Psychological Services) was named the Peggy Smith Clinic. Dr. Smith left a legacy of excellence and her estate bestowed funds from which the Department of Counseling chose to create a scholarship fund.

This scholarship is awarded to students who have a demonstrated track record of service to African Americans. Each scholarship shall be for a period of one year, and any additional scholarship to a student shall be granted only upon a reapplication by the student.

This scholarship is named after Salvador Chávez, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico as a young man, and his life partner Edward Hascall. Sal Chávez was a bilingual, bicultural counselor who graduated from the Department of Counseling with a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, got a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Wright Institute and many years later, taught in the Department of Counseling for 14 years.  He demonstrated exceptional commitment to students as a clinician, supervisor, and professor.