Jaime-Castillo, '08
Director of Counseling Services
State University of New York of Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo)
What factors led you to choose Scranton for your master's degree?
I had an interview at two other graduate programs, one in Connecticut and another in Chicago. Scranton was familiar to me as I grew up not so far so I had a hefty bias against staying in Pennsylvania. However, I remember walking out of the interview and going directly to the bookstore, calling my mom telling her that I'm buying a Scranton shirt because I wanted "to go here." The interview process was warm, empathetic, and the faculty were already invested in us. The space was one were I felt I could both learn didactically and be challenged intrapersonally.
How did you end up choosing School Counseling instead of another counseling specialty area?
School Counseling had the balance of training as both a clinical and a system change agent. I have always had a natural skillset in bringing groups together, working through issues, and viewing things from a higher vantage point. Training as a school counselor was essential in continuing to strengthen that area.
What were some of your favorite things about the program?
The clinical training and investment that my Professors took in my development as a counselor. Our cohort was lively bunch and we had a lot of fun in class, outside of class, and within our CSI Chapter. I remember how game our faculty were in doing activities with us, including this hot stop interview whose purpose it was to bring levity and fun to our experience.
Fondest program memory?
I have distinct memories of practicum specifically with Dr. Wilkerson and feedback that continues with me to this day, in fact it is feedback I have passed on to numerous of my own trainees over the years. I used to hang out in the practicum room for fun just to watch tape with my peers. We were eager to learn from each other and watch our struggles and practice giving feedback to one another. Additionally, my intro to counseling skills course with Professor Geoffroy was another formative experience. I also appreciated Dr. Eschbach's humor! Lastly, while at Scranton I was also taking improve classes and Professor Barber actually came to a show! I am eternally grateful to all individuals who have attended those early, terrible shows!
What was your impression of the coursework? Clinical Training? Faculty?
I think my answers above integrated some of this. I remember groaning at the amount of reading and writing Dr. Wilkerson would have us doing AND knowing it was important to expanding my critical thinking, writing, and growing as an emerging professional. Clinical training was excellent. Skills, practicum, internship...I had excellent supervisors.
How did the program help to prepare you for your career?
I left Scranton with a solid foundation of counseling skills to build upon. I left with awareness to always ensure I had trusting clinical supervisor and if I didn't, to find roles that did. I learned that systemic change takes time, and my skills as a counselor translate into being an excellent communicator, a skillset that is highly transferable across many domains. I left Scranton knowing I wanted to return to get my doctorate at some point once I had gained several years of initial experience. I wanted to be the type of Counselor Educator I had at Scranton.
Please list any professional recognition or career awards you have received.
- Inaugural CACREP Research Fellow
- NARACES Emerging Leader
- Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision Editorial Fellow
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award
- Certificate in University Teaching, Future Professoriate Program, Syracuse University
- All-University Doctoral Prize for Dissertation: A Multivariate Analysis of School Counselor Engagement with Students with Disabilities