College of Education professor earns lifetime mentor award at national conference

March 22, 2018

College of Education Professor Brandon Hunt, Ph.D., has been awarded the Jane E. Myers Lifetime Mentor Award

Georgia Southern University College of Education (COE) Professor Brandon Hunt, Ph.D., has been awarded the Jane E. Myers Lifetime Mentor Award and will be recognized at the 2018 American Counseling Association Conference in April for her significant contribution to the counseling profession.

With more than 26 years of experience instructing counselors, Hunt has served as a professor in the COE since 2014.

Prior to earning her doctorate and moving into higher education, Hunt worked as a full-time counselor for three years and also facilitated long-term counseling groups. The opportunity to supervise counselors during that time drove her to become a counselor educator.

“In my master’s program, my mentor Dr. William Van Hoose told me I should be faculty someday,” she said. “At the time, I couldn’t even talk in front of groups of people, so I told him he was crazy. Now, I’m faculty.”

Hunt says the best part of her job is working with the students.

“Students keep the job interesting and fun, which I appreciate,” she said. “I enjoy helping them find their own voices as counselors and knowing they are helping clients live better lives.”

Hunt was nominated by supporters, including former students and current colleagues, all of whom attested to her dedication and passion to the field.

“I genuinely believe that her strength and presence as a mentor is one of her super powers,” wrote a former student. “Whether she was helping me as a supervisor, program director, mentor, adviser or maybe just as ‘Dr. Brandon Hunt the Magnificent,’ I felt heard, seen and supported.”

Hunt’s colleagues echoed her support for students and added that she provides mentorship and guidance to her fellow faculty as well.

“She has mentored me in a quiet, yet impactful way,” one wrote. “Sometimes it will be as simple as her walking by my office before I have class and reminding me, ‘You’ve got this!’”

Another colleague added, “Despite being an accomplished figure in the counseling field, Dr. Hunt’s humbleness and desire to help others immediately puts people at ease. She recognizes the talents of students and faculty, and invites them to participate with her on research projects, presentations and service opportunities.”

Hunt says she was both humbled and surprised by the acknowledgement.

“For me, this award honors the faculty and supervisors who supported and mentored me as I started my journey as a professional counselor, as well as the clients who helped me grow as a counselor,” she said. “I feel so fortunate that I have worked with so many counselors-in-training, counselor educators and professional counselors who work to make the world a better place. If you had asked me as a new counselor what my work life might look like, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine the incredible opportunities and experience I have had at this point in my career.”

Each year the Jane E. Myers Lifetime Mentor Award honors an individual who has significantly enhanced the counseling profession through sustained efforts, for no less than 15 years, to mentor, encourage and develop professional leaders and advocates at the local, state, national and international level. The award is given annually by Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), an international honor society of professional counseling, during the CSI Days held at the American Counseling Association Conference. It is named in honor of Jane E. Myers, who gave 30 years of service to the counseling profession and CSI.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 142 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.