Wednesday, Jul 12, 2023
3 new faculty members set to start this fall in the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
by Adam Grybowski
This fall, three new faculty members will join Rider University's Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling as enrollment continues to grow for its graduate counseling programs. The CACREP-accredited graduate program in clinical mental health counseling saw about a 48% increase in enrollment from 2020 to 2022.
"We've seen a demand for this program over the past couple of years, and there was a strategic decision to invest in it," says Dr. Jason Barr, dean of Rider's College of Education and Human Services.
Rider's clinical mental health counseling program trains aspiring counselors with the skills to help clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, addictions and more. Through their coursework, graduates meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and other states, and many go on to obtain positions in a variety of settings, such as community agencies, hospitals and private practice. Students can also apply to enroll in a dance/movement therapy concentration within the clinical mental health counseling program. In addition to providing graduate-level training in clinical mental health counseling, Rider also offers a master's program in school counseling.
As society has become more accepting of mental health challenges, we've seen a growing number of students who want to be that person helping."
Part of what's driving demand in the profession, Barr notes, is an increased awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues throughout society. As that awareness has grown, discussions about mental health have become less stigmatized, creating more opportunities for treatment.
"As society has become more accepting of mental health challenges, we've seen a growing number of students who want to be that person helping, which is a great thing," Barr says. "The pandemic had something to do with this. Seeing how it affected adolescents and adults lit a fire under some people."
The three new faculty members will all begin this fall.
Dr. Tiffany Rikard, a licensed marriage and family therapist and former licensed practical nurse, joins Rider as a lecturer. She has been a mental health therapist in North Carolina since 2016, and has operated a private practice since 2020. She was previously an assistant professor and the program coordinator of Counseling and Human Services at Pfeiffer University. Rikard's other academic experience includes teaching positions at Appalachian State University, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Winthrop University, among others. She received a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Marion D. Rogers '19, who is currently pursuing a doctorate in counseling from Montclair State University, has been a mental health therapist for New Jersey Behavioral Health since 2020. She joins Rider as an assistant professor. A licensed attorney, Rogers also holds a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Rider, among other degrees. Her academic experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at Montclair State University and The College of New Jersey. She is also a nationally certified counselor and a board-certified life coach.
Dr. William R. Sterner, the co-author of a 2022 textbook on counseling practices, most recently served as a professor at Marymount University, where he was also the associate director of the School of Counseling. He joins Rider as an assistant professor. He is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has operated a private practice since 2012. He received a doctorate and a master's degree in counselor education from The Pennsylvania State University, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in economics.
The three faculty members join Rider's College of Education and Human Services following successful re-accreditation by CACREP, the premier national accrediting body that ensures excellence in counselor preparation and training. Through a rigorous evaluation process, CACREP assesses programs based on stringent standards encompassing curriculum, faculty qualifications, student support services and clinical experiences.