Two K-State counseling and educational psychology professors recognized by national organizations

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Source: Steve Benton, 785-532-5541 leroy@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Megan Wilson, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

TWO K-STATE COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSORS RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas State University faculty members from the department of counseling and educational psychology have been recognized as outstanding faculty by national organizations.

Sheryl Benton, associate professor of counseling and educational psychology, and assistant director of K-State Counseling Services, has been awarded the Education Advocacy Distinguished Service Award by the American Psychological Association's Board of Educational Affairs. The association is a scientific and professional organization and is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. The Education Advocacy Distinguished Service Award is given to one member annually.

"Dr. Benton was given this award for her groundbreaking research on changes in college student mental health across a 13-year period," said Steve Benton, chair of K-State's department of counseling and educational psychology. "Her research was instrumental in convincing Congress to fund legislation to help prevent college student mental health problems."

Sheryl Benton, who has been at K-State since 1990, received her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas in 1991, her master's in counseling from K-State in 1985, and her bachelor's in secondary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1978.

Adrienne Leslie-Toogood, assistant professor of counseling and educational psychology, received the 2006 Outstanding Faculty Member award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region IV-West. The award is presented to a member who has contributed significantly to the preparation of student affairs professionals.

The association is the largest professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty members and graduate students, with more than 9,400 members in 29 countries. According to the organization, members are committed to serving college students by embracing the core values of diversity, learning, integrity, service, fellowship and the spirit of inquiry.

"Through Dr. Leslie-Toogood's leadership, K-State has the only master's degree program that has an emphasis in student services in intercollegiate athletics," Benton said. "She won the award because of her excellence in teaching and advising students within our college student personnel program."

At K-State since 2002, Leslie-Toogood earned her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2001, her master's in psychology in 1996, and her bachelor's in psychology in 1993, all from the University of Manitoba.