2021-2022 Graduate Student Ambassadors- Emily Hoey

Program Area of Study

M.Ed. College Counseling and Student Development

Bio

Emily Hoey is a Master’s candidate in the College Counseling program with professional aims to empower students through mental health advocacy, career development resources, and prevention tactics. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from DePaul University where she was involved in numerous leadership roles that helped her develop her educational philosophy of “lowercase ‘e’ education.” Emily enjoys reading Stephen King novels, playing board games, participating in live theatre, hiking, and exploring new cities with her friends and family. 

Why NC State?

NC State’s Counselor Education program is nationally renowned and is one of only a few institutions with my specialty, college counseling. Not only is the program impressive on paper, but in my interview with Dr. Smith, our program coordinator, I instantly felt cared for, challenged, and empowered – the same way I want all my students to feel! The people really make this program as strong as it is – and that includes the faculty, staff, and fellow classmates who want to see each other succeed. 

One insight gained so far…

Here at NC State, our motto is “think and do.” This is applied no more firmly than in our efforts toward a more diverse, inclusive, and just society. In my Clinical Assessment class, we actively analyzed different forms of assessment that we could use with clients and applied a multicultural social justice lens to determining the reliability and validity of such assessments. I’ve been challenged by my classmates and professors to think critically about the perspectives I bring into the counseling space and to address my personal biases through self-awareness and reflection work before taking on the professional responsibilities of a counselor. The work that we are doing truly is social justice in action since we are making authentic space for people’s vulnerabilities. That has to be done from an intersectional and equity-focused lens. Assessment is just one area where diversity and justice have been prevalent. The ethical code which guides our profession requires a holistic infusion of justice into all aspects of our counseling practice and as I prepare to matriculate to my practicum site, I feel prepared by this program to be an agent for change on college campuses in and outside of the counseling space.