A&M-Commerce Counseling Professor Named Fellow of ASGW
Dr. Carmen F. Salazar, Texas A&M University-Commerce Professor of Counseling, has been named a Fellow of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW). She received this award at the American Counseling Association Annual Conference in Cincinnati on March 23.
According to the ASGW, being appointed to Fellow status is intended to recognize extraordinary efforts of an individual on behalf of the Association, and/or extraordinary professional achievements compatible with and enhancing to the purposes of the Association.
“It was terrific to be recognized for my contributions to the field of group work,” said Salazar. “I am honored to be included among the ASGW Fellows, many of whom are pioneers and innovators in group work.”
Salazar's research focuses on multicultural awareness and group counseling. She has written more than 90 journal articles and national presentations and two books on the subject. Her first book, entitled Group Work Experts Share Their Favorite Multicultural Activities: A Guide to Diversity-Competent Choosing, Planning, Conducting, and Processing, focuses on how group leaders can expand their own cultural awareness and that of their group members. Her second book, Social Justice in Group Work: Practical Interventions for Change, reveals methods group leaders can utilize in order to empower group members. In 2011, Salazar was awarded the Group Work Practice Award by the ASGW. Currently, she is working on a third book on diversity and group work.
“Group counseling is one of the eight required areas for counselor licensure,” said Salazar. “I was inspired to focus on groups as one of my specialty areas of practice, teaching and scholarship when I became aware of the power of skillfully facilitated group interaction for client growth, intercultural understanding and mutual empowerment.”
Salazar has served many years and filled various roles in ASGW including: the association's Executive Board (2009-2012), editorial board of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work (2007-2010), and guest co-editor of two special issues of JSGW on social justice in group work.
The Association for Specialists in Group Work is among the largest professional organizations in the world dedicated to group counseling. Founded in 1973, the ASGW is one of 19 divisions of the American Counseling Association, which has a membership of about 50,000. The purposes of the ASGW include: establish standards for professional and ethical group practice, support research and the dissemination of knowledge related to group work, and provide leadership and training in group specialties.
For more information on ASGW, go to www.asgw.org.