Rate My Professor Shawn Spurgeon

Shawn L. Spurgeon, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Counselor Education in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at St. Mary's University. He specializes in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision programs, teaching courses including Couples and Family Counseling, Practicum in Counseling, Process of Counseling Supervision, and Leadership, Advocacy and Service. Spurgeon earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2002, along with an Ed.S. and M.S. from the same university. His research interests center on African American male development and professional counselor identity development, with publications such as "Creating Personal Dispositions for a Professional Counseling Program" (2012, Counseling and Values), "The Human Factor: Student Reactions to the Integration of Personal Dispositions Into a Counseling Program" (2013, Counselor Education and Supervision), and "The Symbiotic Relationships of the Counseling Profession’s Accrediting Body, American Counseling Association, Flagship Journal and National Certification Agency" (2011). He has delivered over 50 presentations at national and regional conferences.

Spurgeon's career includes prior roles as a mental health counselor in family services agencies, private practice, and community mental health centers. He holds licenses as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas (#87383, 2021), Tennessee (LPC-MHSP #2409, 2009), Approved Clinical Supervisor (#ACS00543, 2006), and National Certified Counselor (#55257, 1999). His influence in the field is evident through leadership positions such as Chair of the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee for six years, member of the ACA 2014 Ethics Revision Task Force, Past-President of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling and the Southern Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and Board Member of the National Board for Certified Counselors. Awards include Fellow of the American Counseling Association (Class of 2020), Counselor Educator Advocacy Award (ACA, 2018), Chancellor’s Award for Extraordinary Community Service and Engagement (UNC Greensboro, 2020), and Dean’s Service Award (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2015).