A message from Jared Schultz, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling

This inaugural issue of our Rehabilitation Counseling newsletter is 70 years in the making. At this incredible milestone, we’re excited to have this time to reflect, celebrate and look ahead.

What started seven decades ago as a bold vision to train rehabilitation counselors who could change lives has grown into a nationally ranked, highly competitive and deeply impactful program. This year, we received more than 250 applications for just 40 spots, resulting in a 16% acceptance rate. That level of interest speaks volumes about the reputation of our faculty, the caliber of our students and the relevance of this work.

But numbers only tell part of the story. The real heart of this department lies in our people: Our faculty, students, alums and community partners who embody what it means to be a rehabilitation counselor. Our students are already making a difference in their communities, bringing energy, compassion and a hunger to learn. I see it every day, whether it's students showing up early to counseling skills class just to get extra practice or the way they lean into difficult conversations with empathy and determination.

Our faculty continue to expand the reach of our work in new and vital ways, and we showcase several impactful projects in this issue. From addressing the rising challenge of problem gambling across Virginia to creating pathways for student-athletes transitioning beyond their sport, our department is applying the rehabilitation model to meet emerging needs. We’re on the forefront of traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and advocacy, as well as applying participatory research to help displaced families in Ethiopia overcome trauma and begin to rebuild their lives.

The research our faculty is producing is quite remarkable, and it’s driving innovation both here in Virginia and around the globe.

At the same time, change is happening all around us, and it sometimes happens faster than we’d like. But as rehabilitation counselors, change is what we do. We meet people where they are. We stand shoulder to shoulder: ready to problem-solve, ready to get our hands dirty, ready to help.

Our department has never shied away from challenges, and I have full confidence that, together, we’ll not only navigate the future but we’ll shape it.

That’s why community matters more than ever. To thrive in the next 70 years, we need each other. I invite you to stay connected. Reach out. Mentor a student. Propose a new project. Help us grow.

Together, we’ve built something remarkable over the past 70 years. Imagine what the next 70 could bring.