Photo of a person sitting with a laptop in front of them on a desk and their hand on a computer mouse.

Dr. Arien K. Muzacz, clinical associate professor for the College of Education’s Master of Counseling Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is helping usher in a new era where counseling services will reach clients through technology. 

Last fall, Dr. Muzacz was the recipient of a professional development award from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); this summer, she completed required trainings and a national exam to earn a new credential, the BC-TMH (Board Certification in Telemental Health). The award, which is presented through the NBCC’s Center for Credentialing & Education, included a $500 award to help Dr. Muzacz facilitate professional development in the area of telemental health.

The NBCC is the nation’s premier certification board devoted to credentialing those who meet standards for the general and specialty practices of professional counseling. The organization also provides what is considered the Gold Standard for those practicing remotely or specializing in telemental health. 

Telehealth, which is the distribution of health-related services through technology, is not new. Many Oregonians have used technology to communicate with their health care providers in some form or another, whether it is setting up appointments, checking lab results, or consulting on a new health concern. However, telehealth became more common and more vital during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the telehealth innovations that came out of that global crisis do not always benefit clients in need of counseling services. 

Beyond the obvious privacy concerns, many Oregonians may not have access to internet-ready devices, or the bandwidth needed to get telehealth services. Even in heavily populated areas like Portland, potential clients may rely on libraries or other public spaces for their internet access — hardly an ideal situation for a counseling session. 

“As counselors, we are always looking for ways to reduce barriers for our clients,” said Dr. Muzacz. “Telehealth has great potential in this area. Even without the pandemic, telehealth could help counselors reach those living in very rural locations, or in smaller communities where in-person counseling services are few or nonexistent.”

But barriers still exist. Beyond access to the needed technology, Dr. Muzacz notes that it is vital for counselors to ensure confidentiality and implement best practices to make sure clients receive the same quality of care they would when meeting with a counselor in person.

“During the height of the pandemic, some privacy requirements through the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) were waived as the need for telemental health grew during an unprecedented crisis,” said Dr. Muzacz. “But as social distancing and other restrictions have eased, those exemptions are being reversed and counselors providing remote services will need to adapt to ensure privacy for their clients.”

Dr. Muzacz’s NBCC certification will allow her to build on her own expertise as a professional counselor and set an example for many of the College of Education Master’s students who are considering careers in telemental health.

“Due largely to the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is very appealing to many of our students,” Dr. Muzacz said. “It’s our responsibility to fill in the gaps in their training to make sure they’re providing the highest quality care. I’m looking forward to helping them integrate these standards into their professional practice.”

The College of Education congratulates Dr. Muzacz on her award and the vital work she does for our students and our fellow Oregonians.

Post written by Marsh Myers

Graphic featuring photo of Amanda Kibler alongside text and the College of Education Logo.

Amanda Kibler is a Professor and Program Chair at the College of Education, whose work was recently published in the NYS TESOL (New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Journal. To read her open access article for free, titled Teacher Collaboration To Support Multilingual Students Designated As English Learners: Ecological Perspectives and Critical Questions, follow the link here.

Get to know College of Education Student Ambassador Nathan Ratalsky in this student highlight!

What led you to Oregon State University?

I was drawn to Oregon State University for a few reasons! First, I really liked its education program. Two degrees for a five year plan? Sign me up! The College’s history and beautiful campus was also a big selling point for me right out of high school. And finally, I wanted to stay in Oregon through my college experience. I’ve lived here most of my life and I really enjoy the amazing nature this state has to offer. OSU is nestled between scenic farmlands, old-growth forests, and the beach is only an hour’s drive away. These were all pretty big selling points for me!

What is your major or field of study and why did you choose it?

I’m studying history and secondary education, and pursuing a minor in Spanish.  I’ve wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. History, while not always my strongest academic subject, was always interesting to me too. When I came to OSU, I decided that I’d go for a teaching degree, which was always the plan, and that I’d push myself to learn more about history and how to be a historian. Looking back on it now, that was probably not the smartest decision, but I’m glad I made it! It’s been incredibly rewarding to work with the history department here, and now that I’m in my student teaching year, I’m able to apply the skills I’ve learned in my lessons.

If you do research, what kind of research do you do?

I don’t really do any research anymore. My final history class was last year, and since then I’ve been focusing heavily on student teaching. I guess, the research I’m doing right now, if you can call it that, has just been learning how I want to teach in the future and figuring out what kind of teacher I want to be.  This isn’t very academic, I know, but I’ve really enjoyed it! It’s extremely satisfying to be able to stand in front of a classroom and use what I’ve learned throughout my college career to achieve my long-held goal of becoming a teacher.

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

Outside of school, I work as a Peer Tutor/Advisor for the College of Education. I work with students who are preparing for their content area exams, and help new students figure out what path they’d like to take with their studies. Aside from that, I’m a new member of OSU’s Kendo Club!

What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?

In my free time, I like to play music, read, box, and hang out with friends!

What advice would you give to a future College of Education student?

Meet with your advisors at least once a term, for sure.  I’ve seen plenty of students ignore meeting with their advisors early on, I was one of them. I got lucky and my schedule ended up working out, but there are many students who don’t take advantage of the help advisors provide and it ends up biting them in the butt later on. College advisors know how to get you through your college career efficiently; they’re there to use that knowledge to help you plan your classes so you can graduate as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to have to pay for a whole extra year of tuition just because they were cocky and scheduled their classes poorly in their freshman or sophomore year! Use the resources you’re paying for!

Beth Rankin is an Assistant Professor at the College of Education, get to know her in this faculty highlight!

What led you to Oregon State University? How long have you worked for the College of Education?

I was excited to join the largest university in the state of Oregon for many reasons. I particularly appreciate the quality hands-on experiences that my teacher candidates are receiving in the Elementary Education Double Degree program. 

If you do research, what kind of research do you do? Can you give us the “elevator pitch” of a current or recent project?

In the past, my research has primarily focused on secondary traumatic stress in K-12 educators. That is to say, K-12 teachers “absorb” personal trauma from working with traumatized students. This trauma causes teachers to experience PTSD-like symptoms. My research has shown this is particularly prevalent in female teachers. More recently, my research has focused on the stresses of teacher candidates who are entering their internship experiences during Covid. Regardless of the research project I have embarked on, I feel prioritizing the socioemotional wellness of teachers is critical. 

What made you decide to engage in that kind of research/work?

My experiences as a former elementary teacher in a Title I school led me to understand first hand the trauma that teachers develop vicariously as a result of working with traumatized students. I know how devasting this can be for teachers and results in high rates of attrition in K-12.  These personal experiences have made studying secondary traumatic stress a priority.  

What is your favorite part about your job?

I enjoy helping my students make connections between my course material and their hands-on experiences in their elementary classrooms as teacher candidates.  

What do you like to do in your free time, outside of work?

The majority of my time outside of work is spent thinking about, training for, and playing volleyball. Although I’m learning to embrace the outdoor lifestyle of Oregon!  

Andrea De Lei is a College of Education student working toward her Master of Education (EdM) in the Adult and Higher Education Program. Get to know her in this student feature!

What led you to Oregon State University?

Family, job, school. In 2015, I moved to Corvallis with my family when my spouse took a job at OSU. Shortly after, I started working at OSU in 2018 with Rec Sports. Then in 2020, I decided to pursue my master’s degree at OSU.

What is your major/field of study and why did you choose it?

Master of Education (EdM) in Adult and Higher Education. After attending the AHE informational session to understand this program better, I was very interested in the instructional design components integrated throughout the AHE program. Additionally, I liked that this program was completely online through one of the top online programs, Ecampus. The program fits nicely with my busy lifestyle.

What year are you in school?

Second-year, anticipated graduation date June 2022.

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

I’m currently working at OSU’s Recreational Sports as the acting Marketing and Events Coordinator. This is a short-term interim role, my previous role was the Marketing and Events Assistant. In a nutshell, I do all things digital content, including social media, facility and event service management, and internal facility scheduling and program planning.

What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?

I like to spend time with family and friends. Anything in a fun social setting, really. I play a lot of soccer, indoor and outdoor. I like to play pretty much any sport, golfing, soccer, basketball, ultimate. As well as go on short hikes in the spring/summer.

What advice would you give to a future College of Education student?

Coming from an Ecampus/online learning experience, don’t be nervous about reaching out to your peers or professors for help or clarification. Much great advice I saw, gave or received came from a quick group text/chat/email between my classmates when someone was unsure, wanted feedback, or need inspiration.

Phillip Mitchell is a doctoral candidate in Leadership in Higher Education, offered through the Adult and Higher Education Program. Get to know him in this student feature!

What led you to Oregon State University?

I was looking for a legitimate doctoral program which would allow me to achieve my academic goals while working full time. I was very happy to learn of the program offered by Adult and Higher Education in the College of Education. It is well-respected and offered the opportunities of a local program while being geared for the working professional.

What is your field of study and why did you choose it?

Adult and Higher Education. I chose this program primarily because it provided education in all areas of higher education that are needed for a successful, effective career. I am working in the field but relatively new to it and I wanted to accelerate my understanding so I could make a greater contribution.

What kind of research do you do?

I plan to begin my dissertation research soon. It will be a narrative inquiry into the experiences of a group of medical students. These students are participating in a certain co-curricular program and I want to better understand how their experiences shape their perspectives and their identities.

What extracurricular activities do you participate in?

I work full-time administering a program at a health sciences university. I also had the privilege and pleasure to develop and teach a course in Leadership in Education for the CoEd education minor during the recent Fall term. My wife and I bought a 43-year-old home last summer and are enjoying getting it some needed TLC and renovation.

What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?

I like the performing arts, especially movies and theater. With the pandemic we haven’t done much of that recently. We enjoy state park camping and we go for long weekends several times a season. Also, I own a 1969 Rambler that I am slowly fixing up.

What advice would you give to a future College of Education student?

Enjoy the Journey.

Michelle Maller (right) and Misty de Lei (left) will join OSU Counseling as Program Coordinator and Head Advisor.

OSU Counseling is thrilled to announce and introduce our new Counseling Program Coordinator and Counseling Head Advisor!  Michelle Maller and Misty de Lei will start their respective roles as Program Coordinator and Head Advisor starting March 1. Both have extensive experience in supporting students and programs at Oregon State University in prior roles.

Michelle Maller (she/her/hers), Counseling Program Coordinator, holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from OSU and a master’s of science degree in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Michelle has worked at OSU in the College of Forestry since 2013, first as undergraduate program coordinator and later as internship and education coordinator. She has organized and led DEI workshops, played a major role in accreditation efforts, coordinated curriculum revision proposals, and served as PI on Federal grants. She is currently Senator Elect of the OSU Faculty Senate. Michelle is a fourth generation Beaver, graduating with her undergraduate degree from OSU. She is also currently completing her PhD at Kansas State University. Her future goals are to be a continual advocate for students and for the program. 

Misty de Lei (she/her/hers), Counseling Head Advisor, received both her BS in Psychology and a Masters of Education in Counseling at Washington State University. She has worked in various higher education institutions providing counseling and advising services since 2012. She has spent the last six and a half years at OSU working as an academic advisor and student employee supervisor for the College of Business (COB). Misty is actively involved with the OSU community, serving as a faculty advisor for clubs, a member of several advising committees, and a volunteer for cultural diversity events. Outside of OSU, Misty enjoys playing video games, participating in Corvallis sports leagues (soccer, ultimate Frisbee, & softball), and spending time with her family.  

Please join in extending welcome and congratulations to our two new fabulous staff in Counseling!

About Josh Bancroft

Josh is a lifelong geek who taught himself to type in computer programs to play games when he was 5 years old and has been fascinated by the intersection of learning and technology ever since. Josh has a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Organizational Development from Oregon State University and works on software education and community initiatives in the Developer Relations group at Intel.

This post is a repost of Sharon Sanchez-Aragon’s Human’s of OSU feature.

Name the courses that you teach, your credentials, and how long you’ve been at OSU?

I teach:

  • ED 472/572 Foundations of ESOL
  • ED 473/573 Instructional Approaches to ESOL Education
  • ED 476/576 Partnerships and Ideologies in ESOL and Bilingual Education
  • ED 410/510 ESOL Internship
  • ED 410 Supervision of Double Degree Student Teachers

I was a K-12 Educator for 17 years. I am certified to teach math, Spanish, ESOL/Bilingual Education, kindergarten through 12th grade. I have a BA in Education and an MS in ESOL/Bilingual Education.

I have been teaching in the College of Education at OSU since January 2017.

What is your favorite thing about OSU? What do you feel that Oregon State offers that sets us apart from other colleges?

First of all, we have the most beautiful campus in the country. The green, the trees and the flowers are beyond compare. We offer a wide variety of educational opportunities for students, young and older. The research that is completed in our university cannot be surpassed by any other university. Our engineering, business and agricultural colleges are known throughout the country. Soon our College of Education will be as well.

Second, our College of Education is growing because of the outstanding work that is being done to prepare new teachers for the important career of working with students in Oregon public schools and throughout the country. We are fortunate to keep so many good teachers in Oregon. However, many of our students go to work in other states where their Oregon license is accepted because of the exceptional job we do of educating and preparing our new teachers.

Most importantly, I work with the best team at Oregon State University. The ESOL/Dual Language Team is composed of the most amazing people! I have learned so much from these educators and the important research they do. Our team is working on a very important grant headed by Dr. Karen Thompson; TEAMS. This research project has brought to light the impact ESOL preparation of teachers has on the education of K-12 students. Practicing teachers in this program have improved the way that they design and differentiate instruction. Teachers feel more confident working with the English learners in their classrooms, as well as working with their parents, families and communities. Of course, we could not do this work without our support staff, who I consider a part of our team. Our college has Gosia Wojtas, Carma Ganta, Paula Dungjen and Kristin Kinman who do everything that keeps our college running in an organized and efficient way. And then there is Claire who creates materials to advertise and promote all of the work that we do. Their creative and technological skills are one of the reasons so many people choose to prepare for teaching at Oregon State University’s College of Education.

Your biggest piece of advice to current or prospective students?

As a student at Oregon State University be prepared to grow and be challenged in ways you never believed. Students at Oregon State are well rounded. They learn to be organized so that they can study hard and play hard. The events on campus range from dynamic and inspirational speakers to heart-stopping sporting events. The professors and instructors expect only high quality work from their students. It is an experience students will want to share with family and friends for years to come.

Why did you want to become a teacher and what’s the most rewarding thing about it?

I did not have very good experiences in school. Latinas especially were undervalued and treated as second class. I was made to feel that I should be ashamed of the color of my skin and the fact that my English was not perfect. However, it was as a parent that I became quite concerned about my son’s education and the manner in which he was treated in school as well. So, at the age of 30 I began my college education. As a single parent, working full-time and going to school full-time, I earned and paid for my degree and a teaching certificate. It was never easy, but it was the best decision I ever made.

I spent the next 17 years as a public school educator. Nothing has ever given my life more meaning. I was so blessed to have my students, better known as my kids, in my life. I was able to see students overcome incredible obstacles and become extremely successful in their lives. I most often chose to work with students with educational and social challenges. I also worked with our English learners. Nothing was more important than my kids, and they knew it. I was also respected by their parents and the community, who knew that I always had the students’ success and best interest at heart. I am privileged to still have contact with many of my students who are grown and have families of their own. One of my greatest joys has been my students who have chosen to become educators. Some were my student teachers when I taught high school. And although I have only been working at OSU for about 3 years, many of my students have chosen to complete their teacher training here at Oregon State, where I have been able to be their teacher again.

I take the responsibility of educating college students as seriously as I did my public education teaching. The teachers I prepare now will impact the lives of so many children. They will make the difference between a child who enjoys and values education, and one who drops out of school. My student teachers will be the ones to make sure that all children, their diversity, cultures and languages are valued and respected so that they can have the confidence they need to be successful in any field of study or career they choose. Above all, they will not have to wait until they are 30 years old to have enough confidence to start the life they were meant to live. Teaching was not and is not my career or my job, it IS my calling, my life.