Department of Human Services and Counseling

My degree in Human Services from MSU provided a strong foundation in understanding community needs, crisis management, and the importance of resource coordination, which directly prepared me for my role as Disaster Program Manager at the Mile High Red Cross. The program's focus on human behavior, service delivery, and leadership skills has been invaluable in managing disaster relief efforts, working with diverse teams, and providing critical support to individuals and communities during emergencies. It gave me the practical knowledge and empathy needed to make a meaningful impact in disaster response.

Stacey Pottish

Disaster Program Manager - Mile High Chapter American Red Cross, Human Services & Counseling Major, Class of '16

My B.S. degree in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health and Counseling truly prepared me to work and support students with modifying their behavior choices from a mental health lens perspective. Issuing out consequences for misbehaviors is easy, supporting students through reflection and revelation is the turning point with modifying youth behavior. My time within the program allowed me to look deeper into my own mental and emotional struggles to better learn about vulnerability, and humility to better support my students. I started as a 2nd grade classroom paraprofessional at Stedman Elementary School in 1999 and here I am in 2024, an Assistant Principal at Montbello High School. My experience with the classes I took through the Human Services department were extremely beneficial to my career as an educator.

Kevin Wilson

Assistant Principal at Montbello High School, Human Services & Counseling Major, Class of '07

Thank you so much for walking this path with me the last couple of years! Every student deserves faculty members like y’all! Thank you for listening and all the great talks, advice, and laughs we shared! Y’all motivated me to keep going and now it’s all paying off!

Lexxus Osler

Human Services & Counseling Major, Class of '23

I love the way FERA classes are scheduled. The schedule really helped me excel as a full-time student while also working full-time and managing extra-curriculars. Also, the FERA program enables students to network with their peers and their professors, which is paramount in the fire service.

I'm extremely grateful for all the experiences I've had so far and for all the opportunities that lie ahead.

Bailey Turco

Frederick-Firestone Fire Department, FERA Program Grad '23

Over the last 5 or 6 years, working with interns each semester from the Human Services program has been amazing. Students in all programs, as well as staff have gotten more support than ever before. Interns bring new ideas and knowledge of the Human Services field to our programs each semester to add to our capacity to focus on developing social skills through art. Interns have the ability to give students the attention they need. All interns experience the rich diversity of our students, and work with students ages 3 to 18 across our programs. We have had a great relationship with the program.

Viviane Le Courtois

Intern Supervisor/Program Manager (Gallery and Creative Action by Teens)