Scholar Spotlight: Jaime H. Castillo III G’16

Jaime H. Castillo III, a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling and Human Services in the School of Education has been selected by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Awards Committee as the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award. Castillo’s accomplishments and contributions will be recognized and celebrated at the awards ceremony held at the national ACES conference this fall in Philadelphia.

Jaime H. Castillo III

How did your childhood lead you to where you are today?

I grew up in Towanda, Pa. My parents worked really hard to make sure my two sisters and I had opportunities for a balanced life. They really instilled in us a tremendous work ethic, but most importantly a passion for following our interests no matter what they were.

The award you have won is for leadership. How have you demonstrated that leadership here at Syracuse?

I am active in the North Atlantic Regional Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, as well as an inaugural research fellow for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational programs. I was the Sigma Upsilon Chapter President of the Chi Sigma Iota counseling honor society, spearheading an initiative to develop and deliver a Brownbag Series at the School of Education. Topics have included spirituality, bullying in schools, inclusion, globalization and gambling. I also served on the dean’s search committee for the School of Education.

What is your educational and work background?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Scranton. However, after graduating I found myself working in the clinical mental health side of the field. When I returned to school here at Syracuse, I completed a doctoral internship at Auburn High School.

How did you end up going for a doctorate in counseling education?

When I returned to school here at Syracuse, I completed a doctoral internship at a local high school. I absolutely love working with students in that setting and wanted to be sure to integrate that experience in my doctoral work. During my master’s program, I became interested in the work my faculty mentors were doing as counselor educators. I loved that as counselor educators, their responsibilities included engaging in scholarship, clinical practice and teaching. I felt a connection to that role because I loved engaging in research, peer mentorship, and always felt comfortable in front of a group of people. At that point, I knew that I wanted to pursue doctoral work in counselor education.

What do you plan to do with your training?

I am currently working on my dissertation, which focuses on school counselors’ engagement with students with disabilities, and I hope to be done this May. I plan to obtain a faculty position in counselor education so I can teach, mentor and supervise the next generation of counselors-in-training.