The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) announces the availability of the “Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship.” Dr. Ruth C. Stacy of Mayville created this fund to support graduate level students majoring in school or mental health counseling. “The need for credentialed school and mental health counselors is a critical element to a healthy school and community environment” stressed Dr. Stacy. A strong advocate of the need for certified, experienced school counselors in kindergarten through high school, Dr. Stacy is a retired professional school and mental health counselor; she holds a doctorate in education with a concentration in counseling. Even following her retirement, Dr. Stacy has maintained her certification with the Pennsylvania and New York State Education Departments.
Students accepted into an accredited school counseling or mental health counseling Master’s Degree graduate program are encouraged to apply for the scholarship. Accreditation must be by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and The Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York or by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). Those interested in applying should compile the following: documentation of acceptance into an accredited Master’s Degree graduate program, a copy of Bachelor’s Degree(s) with transcript(s) indicating a 3.0 or above average, current occupation and age, three (3) professional references; and a one (1) page description of his/her reasons for seeking the degree and plans upon completion. Send the information by April 1, 2016, to the NCCF, 212 Lake Shore Drive West, Dunkirk, NY 14048. To date, the Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship has awarded $6,000 to exceptional applicants. Dr. Stacy is an advocate of retaining accredited mental health counselors in Chautauqua County. Sharing the NCCF’s purpose of community development, she supports the community by encouraging students to pursue counseling degrees from accredited universities. For additional information, contact Victoria Howell, NCCF’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 366-4892 or by e-mail at vhowell@nccfoundation.org.