Growing Support, One School Counselor at a Time

As schools continue to encounter the growing academic, social, and emotional needs of students, the role of school counselors has never been more important.

Recognizing that demand, the University of New Mexico College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS), Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation (ATF) have partnered to launch New Mexico's first School Counselor Residency Program.

Together, the three organizations are creating a new pathway to prepare highly qualified school counselors while strengthening support for counselors-in-training throughout New Mexico.

The School Counselor Residency Program provides graduate students with paid clinical experiences under the supervision of experienced school counselors.

By combining immersive, hands-on learning with a stipend that allows school counselor residents to focus on their clinical preparation, the program helps remove financial barriers while strengthening the pipeline of highly prepared school counselors ready to serve students and communities across New Mexico.

"Schools have become the service centers of every community," said COEHS Dean Kristopher M. Goodrich. "School counselors play a critical role in helping students navigate academic challenges, mental health concerns, and life circumstances that affect their ability to learn. This residency creates a pathway for future counselors to develop those skills while serving our K-12 students in meaningful ways."

The partnership reflects years of collaboration among COEHS, APS and ATF.

The Albuquerque Teachers Federation played an instrumental role in bringing the partners together around a shared vision of preparing future school counselors through immersive clinical experiences that benefit both graduate students and the schools they serve.

Together, the partnership builds upon a shared commitment to strengthening New Mexico's behavioral health workforce while ensuring K-12 students receive the support they need to succeed.

APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said the new residency builds on an already successful partnership between APS and UNM while addressing a growing need for school counselors.

"Our partnership with UNM has already shown great success through our teacher residency program and principal residencies, and we are excited to build on that model with school counselors. APS and UNM share the same goal of preparing outstanding professionals who are ready to serve our community. Together, we are creating stronger pathways into the profession while ensuring our students have the caring, highly qualified support they deserve."

Graduate students enrolled in either of UNM's school counseling pathways, the Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling and the graduate certificate for licensed behavioral health professionals seeking school counselor licensure, are eligible to participate.

School Counseling residents spend at least one academic year embedded in schools, working alongside experienced counselors while gradually assuming greater responsibility through mentorship, supervised practice, and meaningful clinical experiences.

The paid residency allows trainees to dedicate more of their time and energy to developing as professionals while serving students, rather than balancing outside employment with their graduate training.

"We are excited to partner with APS to strengthen the school counseling community in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico," said Ashley Martin-Cuellar, Ph.D., LMFT, Counseling Program Coordinator. "This residency gives our students the opportunity to move beyond learning about counseling in the classroom to developing their skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences alongside dedicated mentors and experienced professionals. By immersing students in authentic school settings, they are able to enter the field with greater confidence and readiness to support students and school communities."

Associate Professor Cortny Stark, Ph.D., said the residency expands opportunities for future school counselors while helping students complete their graduate education.

"We've been privileged to have so many of our talented school counselors in training collaborate with school counselors in Albuquerque Public Schools," Stark said. "The residency program will enable school counselors in training to spend more time on site providing direct support to students while earning paid clinical experience that supports their academic success."

Durán Blakey said the residency will benefit both future school counselors and the students they will serve.

"This residency pathway removes a major financial barrier for future school counselors while giving them meaningful experience in APS schools. In return, our students and families gain well-prepared counselors who already know our community and are ready to serve on day one."

She said investing in school counselors is ultimately an investment in student success.

"School counselors play a critical role in the success of our students. They help students navigate academic challenges, support their mental health and well-being, and prepare them for college, careers and life after graduation. Investing in the next generation of school counselors helps ensure every APS school has the support our students need to succeed."

For Goodrich, the School Counselor Residency Program represents more than a new academic initiative. It reflects what can be accomplished when higher education, public schools and educators come together to invest in New Mexico's future.

"Strong partnerships create strong professionals," Goodrich said. "We're grateful to Albuquerque Public Schools and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation for their leadership and partnership in creating an opportunity that benefits our graduate students today while strengthening New Mexico's schools for years to come."

The School Counselor Residency Program welcomes its inaugural cohort this fall, creating a new model for preparing school counselors through immersive clinical experiences, dedicated mentorship and meaningful collaboration between higher education, public schools and educators.

As the partnership grows, the College of Education and Human Sciences hopes to build on its success and explore opportunities to expand the residency model to school districts throughout New Mexico.