Indiana State University Newsroom

Dena M. Held of Edwardsport has been awarded the 2009 National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCCF) Rural Scholarship.

Held will receive $3,000 to support her counseling education. Held is currently a student at Indiana State University pursuing a master's of education in school counseling and holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana State University.

The NBCCF rural scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in a the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), an accredited counseling program who commit to serving in rural and underserved areas after graduation.

The mission of the NBCC Foundation is to promote mental health through the advancement of professional counseling and credentialing.

The rural scholarship was created in 2009 to encourage students from rural and underserved areas to embark on a career in counseling. Nearly 60 students from across the country applied for this scholarship and the NBCCF Board of Trustees was very impressed with the overall qualifications of the applicants. Having grown up in rural southern Indiana, Held understands both the challenges and benefits of a rural community. She is an active member of the Knox County Child Protection Team and Knox County Early Intervention team, and is the Executive Director of the Knox County Court Appointment Special Advocate Program.

As a school counselor, Held hopes to create a quality school culture where she can provide opportunities and address challenges for her students.

In addition to Held's scholarship, four additional $3,000 rural scholarships have been awarded. The NBCC Foundation has also awarded six $3,000 military scholarships to service members and veterans enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling program during or after military service who commit to serving military personnel after graduation.

NBCCF plans to continue offering scholarships to increase numbers of counselors in needed areas.More information about the Foundation and its scholarships can be found at www.nbccf.org.-30-